Project Manager, Strategic Plan

Quinnipiac University•Hamden, CT

About The Position

Quinnipiac University seeks an experienced, hands-on project management professional to support execution of the University's multi-year strategic plan and approximately $120 million in strategic operating and capital investments. This three-year term position is intended for someone who can work with leadership to translate strategic priorities into practical workplans, milestones, budget tracking, and clear accountability. Reporting to the Chief of Staff with a dotted line to the President, the Project Manager will serve as the University's central coordinator for implementation. This individual will work closely with the President, Management Committee, Strategy Team sponsors, Finance, and other institutional partners to keep initiatives moving, decisions organized, and implementation work coordinated across academic and administrative areas. The Project Manager, Strategic Plan will coordinate Strategy Teams, maintain implementation dashboards and reporting systems, identify risks and barriers, and support cross-functional collaboration across the University. This individual will help ensure strategic initiatives remain aligned, on schedule, within budget constraints, and focused on delivering measurable institutional results. The ideal candidate will bring a track record of partnership to manage complex projects in large, matrixed organizations and the ability to become effective quickly in an academic environment. The role requires both sound project management judgment and a willingness to roll up one's sleeves to manage schedules, follow up on deliverables, and organize information.

Requirements

7+ years of experience in project management, strategic implementation, consulting, higher education administration, organizational effectiveness, or senior operational support in a complex organization
Experience supporting or managing large-scale strategic initiatives
Experience developing project plans, milestone trackers, executive updates, KPI reporting, and accountability tools
Strong financial awareness, analytical ability, communication, facilitation, organization, scheduling, and follow-through skills
Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into actionable workplans and measurable outcomes
Proven ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from varied backgrounds
Bachelor's degree required
Valid authorization to work in the United States

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred
Experience with a consulting, public-sector, nonprofit, or higher education advisory environment
Professional certifications such as PMP, PgMP, Lean Six Sigma, or equivalent

Responsibilities

Support implementation of the University's strategic plan and strategic investments through disciplined project management and follow-through
Develop and maintain implementation plans, timelines, milestone trackers, decision logs, and accountability measures
Support Management Committee strategic reviews and decision-making by preparing concise updates and documenting next steps
Identify risks, barriers, delays, and dependencies and recommend practical corrective actions
Track and report on a portfolio of approximately $120 million in strategic operating and capital investments, with attention to sequencing, resources, milestones, and budgets
With the Finance Office, monitor budgets and alignment with institutional priorities
Facilitate collaboration across divisions and manage cross-functional dependencies
With the Office of Institutional Research, develop and maintain practical dashboards and performance reporting tools
Track progress against Board-level KPIs, strategic goals, milestones, and investment outcomes
Support measurement and communication of the impact and return on strategic investments
Prepare regular, concise implementation updates and clear options to support senior leadership decisions for the President, Management Committee, and Board of Trustees
Gather and organize institutional performance information in areas such as student success, enrollment, reputation, philanthropy, technology, and financial sustainability
Identify implementation risks, resource constraints, organizational barriers, scheduling challenges, and budget pressures
Develop practical mitigation strategies and escalation plans
Facilitate regular progress reviews with initiative leaders and executive sponsors, ensuring action items are captured and advanced
Recommend improvements that strengthen execution, accountability, communication, and organizational effectiveness