IT Project Manager, SATech

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign•Urbana, IL

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Student Affairs Technology (SATech) is dedicated to transforming the student experience through innovative IT services for Student Affairs departments across campus. We collaborate with business leaders and IT professionals to deliver technical solutions that enhance efficiency and build operational resilience. We seek passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds to help shape and nurture a vibrant community aligned with our mission. Joining our team means contributing to the University's academic goals, fostering environments that promote student learning and success, and supporting the holistic development of all students, ultimately creating a thriving campus for everyone.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Three (3) years of combined college coursework in Information Technology (IT), IT Management, Programming, IT systems, or a closely related discipline (30 semester hours = 1 year) OR work experience in IT-related functions (hardware/software support, programming, network design, network engineering, IT systems integration, or closely related field).
Demonstrated experience with project management or project lead experience with IT projects (e.g., technology system upgrades/replacements, infrastructure upgrades, software development).
Demonstrated experience utilizing project management standards and best practices.
Five (5) years of combined college coursework in Information Technology (IT), IT Management, Programming, IT systems, or a closely related discipline (30 semester hours = 1 year) OR work experience in IT-related functions (hardware/software support, programming, network design, network engineering, IT systems integration, or closely related field).
Demonstrated experience with project management or project lead experience with IT projects (e.g., technology system upgrades/replacements, infrastructure upgrades, software development).
Demonstrated experience utilizing project management standards and best practices.
Excellent communication skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Strong customer service focus.
Ability to organize and track large numbers of tasks in a complex environment.
Ability to work in an environment with a wide variety of staff and students.
Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain appropriate confidentiality.
Advanced knowledge of project management principles, methodologies, standards, and best practices.
Excellent presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong strategic thinking, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Ability to effectively manage competing priorities, complex dependencies, resource constraints, and changing requirements.

Nice To Haves

Three (3) years of project management experience with IT projects (e.g., technology system upgrades/replacements, infrastructure upgrades, software development).
Certification in project management or project portfolio management through a recognized certification entity such as the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Experience leading large, cross-functional projects involving multiple departments or units.
Experience creating and delivering training materials associated with IT projects.
Five (5) years of project management or project lead experience with IT projects (e.g., technology system upgrades/replacements, infrastructure upgrades, software development).
Experience working within a higher education or similarly complex organizational environment.
Experience with computer object management, or configuration policies and profiles in Microsoft Active Directory or Entra ID (Azure Active Directory).
Experience mentoring, coaching, or providing professional development to project managers and project teams.
Certification in project management or project portfolio management through a recognized certification entity such as the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Experience leading large, cross-functional projects involving multiple departments or units.
Experience creating and delivering training materials associated with IT projects.

Responsibilities

Leads critical operational and strategic projects, ensuring precision and alignment with organizational goals.
Plays a key part in implementing and maintaining project management best practices and effectively managing resources across the department.
Develops and tracks project schedules, goals, and budgets.
Communicates with stakeholders to ensure the success of each initiative.
Develops detailed work plans, schedules, project estimates, resource plans, and status reports.
Facilitates project meetings and manages the day-to-day operational aspects of projects.
Documents project requirements and business process improvements.
Monitors the status of all projects in the portfolio and provides updates to the leadership team and project stakeholders.
Works with SA Tech leadership, project stakeholders, and staff resources to establish project priorities and objectives.
Employs consistent project management techniques for significant projects across Student Affairs Technology.
Creates an open environment where conflicts regarding project priorities, resource contention, and funding decisions can be aired and resolved objectively.
Communicates difficult/sensitive information tactfully and proposes solutions.
Assists other project managers in the department as necessary.
Creates and delivers training related to projects as needed.
Collaborates with the Director of System Development and Support for SA Tech and project managers to refine and implement project management tools, techniques, and standards.
Provides technical and analytical guidance to other project management efforts in SA Tech.
Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Provides senior-level project management leadership within Student Affairs Technology.
Leads complex, high-priority operational and strategic technology initiatives, ensuring projects are delivered effectively, efficiently, and in alignment with organizational goals and priorities.
Works closely with SA Tech leadership, business stakeholders, technical teams, and external vendors to establish best practices, priorities, resolve complex project issues, manage competing resources, and ensure successful delivery of critical initiatives.
Provides senior-level leadership for complex, high-priority, and cross-functional technology projects, working with SA Tech leadership, project stakeholders, and staff resources to establish project priorities, objectives, scope, and desired outcomes.
Oversees and monitors the department's project portfolio, assessing project status, dependencies, risks, resource constraints, and competing priorities.
Provides regular, high-level updates and recommendations to leadership and project stakeholders.
Develops and oversees comprehensive project plans, including schedules, milestones, deliverables, budgets, resource plans, dependencies, risk mitigation strategies, communication plans, and status reporting for significant projects.
Facilitates executive-level and cross-functional project meetings, decision-making sessions, and project governance activities.
Manages the day-to-day operational aspects of projects while providing appropriate escalation and recommendations to leadership.
Identifies, assesses, and proactively manages project risks, issues, dependencies, and changes, developing mitigation and resolution strategies and escalating significant concerns when appropriate.
Creates an environment for effective collaboration and conflict resolution when addressing competing project priorities, resource constraints, funding decisions, scope changes, or stakeholder concerns.
Communicates difficult or sensitive information tactfully and develops objective, solution-oriented recommendations.
Provides leadership, mentoring, and guidance to project managers and project teams, including reviewing project plans, identifying risks, strengthening project management practices, and supporting effective project execution.
Leads organizational change and process improvement efforts associated with technology initiatives, ensuring project requirements, business processes, impacts, and desired outcomes are clearly documented and communicated.
Develops and delivers training, presentations, and project communications for project teams, stakeholders, leadership, and other audiences as needed.
Collaborates with SA Tech and project management leadership to establish, refine, implement, and continuously improve project management tools, methodologies, standards, governance practices, and reporting processes used across the department.
Represents Student Affairs Technology on institutional committees, working groups, or initiatives as appropriate.