Manager, Project & Portfolio Management

Tarleton State University•Stephenville, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Tarleton State University is seeking a Manager, Project & Portfolio Management for its Office of Continuous Improvement. The role leads the project and program management function and provides portfolio-level oversight of complex, cross-functional, and technology-enabled initiatives. It supervises and develops project management staff, establishes consistent management practices, monitors portfolio health and capacity, and provides executive-level reporting and recommendations. The Manager works with university leaders, sponsors, technology partners, and functional stakeholders to evaluate project needs, risks, dependencies, resources, and delivery strategies. The position also coaches Project Managers and directly leads selected complex or high-risk initiatives. The role serves as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). This is an in-office position on the main campus in Stephenville, Texas. Regular work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, or as work requirements indicate; after-hours work may be needed. The position promotes an AI-first approach by considering responsible AI-enabled, automated, and existing institutional capabilities before pursuing new commercial solutions, and by identifying appropriate emerging-technology opportunities. The target base annual salary range is $68,465 to $94,487, commensurate with experience and potentially negotiable based on funding availability and the candidate’s qualifications.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Project Management, Information Systems, Higher Education Administration, or a related field.
Seven years of progressively responsible experience in project management, program management, information technology, business transformation, continuous improvement, or a related area.
Four years of project, program, or team leadership experience.
Ability to apply an AI-first mindset when evaluating opportunities, including awareness of AI-enabled, automated, existing institutional, and commercial solutions.
Strong knowledge of project, program, and portfolio management principles and practices.
Demonstrated leadership, supervision, coaching, and staff development skills.
Ability to analyze complex project needs, risks, dependencies, capacity, and resource requirements.
Strong executive communication, stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and relationship management skills.
Knowledge of technology-enabled business solutions and continuous improvement practices.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively across functional areas.
Ability to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, which may include communications systems, computer networks and systems, cybersecurity systems, electrical grid, hazardous waste treatment system, or water treatment system.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing a portfolio of complex, cross-functional projects or programs.
Experience supervising and developing project management professionals.
Experience supporting enterprise technology, business transformation, or continuous improvement initiatives.
Project Management Professional (PMP) or related certification.

Responsibilities

Promote an AI-first approach by considering responsible AI-enabled, automated, and existing institutional capabilities before pursuing new commercial solutions.
Identify appropriate opportunities to incorporate emerging technologies and AI-enabled solutions into project and program planning.
Lead the project and program management function within the Office of Continuous Improvement and provide portfolio-level oversight of complex, cross-functional, and technology-enabled initiatives.
Supervise, coach, and develop project management staff, setting expectations for delivery, stakeholder engagement, communication, and accountability.
Assign and balance project resources according to institutional priorities, project complexity, staff capacity, dependencies, and delivery risk.
Monitor the portfolio for risks, dependencies, capacity constraints, resource needs, competing priorities, and issues requiring leadership attention.
Provide project and portfolio reporting, recommendations, and decision support to the Executive Director and university leadership.
Establish and maintain project and program management practices, governance, standards, documentation, and reporting.
Work with sponsors and stakeholders to evaluate project needs, objectives, risks, resources, delivery strategies, and measures of success.
Coach Project Managers on complex stakeholder, delivery, resource, and project-risk issues, and intervene as needed.
Directly lead selected complex, high-risk, or institutionally significant projects and programs.
Build collaborative relationships with university leaders, technology partners, functional stakeholders, vendors, and other partners.
Partner with the Office of Continuous Improvement and university stakeholders to identify continuous improvement opportunities and technology-enabled solutions.
Serve as a Campus Security Authority.
Perform other duties as assigned.