Projects Manager, Enrollment Management

Metropolitan State University of Denver • Denver, CO

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President (AVP) for Enrollment Management, the Projects Manager plays a pivotal role in advancing strategic enrollment priorities through the leadership and execution of high-impact, time-sensitive initiatives. This position serves as a strategic partner to the AVP, ensuring Enrollment Management (EM) projects move from vision to implementation with strong coordination, data-informed decision-making, and measurable outcomes. This position leads cross-functional projects that span Enrollment Management units, Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid & Scholarships, Orientation, Transfer, and Reengagement, Enrollment Communications, and the Enrollment Call Center, while also coordinating closely with Enrollment and Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and other campus partners. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Projects Manager leads complex initiatives that span multiple departments, manages competing priorities, identifies process improvements, and supports the implementation of strategic plans across EM. The position requires strong project management expertise, advanced data analysis skills, political acuity, and the ability to translate strategy into action within a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree; or equivalent combination of education and experience, 2 years of experience equals 1 of education
• Experience in project management, operations, or enrollment management
• Experience leading cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders, including managing timelines, deliverables, and measurable outcomes
• Experience using data to support decision-making, like analyzing trends, reporting metrics, or coming up with recommendations
• Successful applicants will ensure their resumes clearly demonstrate that their work experience describes how they meet ALL required qualifications.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in higher education or enrollment management functions
• 2 years managing multiple projects or operations in a fast-paced environment
• Experience leading initiatives that improve enrollment outcomes, student experience, or operational processes
• Experience with enrollment technologies (CRM, SIS) and/or data visualization or reporting tools (Tableau, Power BI)
• Project management certification (PMP, Lean Six Sigma, Agile, etc.) and/or Master’s degree

Responsibilities

• Strategic Project Leadership & Execution Lead and manage high-priority, cross-functional projects that support institutional enrollment goals, including initiatives related to recruitment, onboarding, retention, student communications, and service delivery.
• Develop comprehensive project plans including scope, timelines, milestones, risk mitigation strategies, and success metrics.
• Ensure initiatives are completed on time, within scope, and aligned with Enrollment Management strategy.
• Identify operational gaps or process inefficiencies and lead improvement efforts across EM functional units.
• Provide executive-level project updates, dashboards, and recommendations to the AVP and EM leadership team.
• Cross-Functional Coordination & Implementation Serve as a central coordination point for strategic initiatives that require collaboration among Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, Orientation, Transfer, Reengagement, Enrollment Communications, and the Call Center.
• Partner with internal (colleges, academic departments, and student support departments) and external partners to align operational efforts with enrollment and retention goals.
• Lead or facilitate cross-departmental workgroups to ensure clarity of roles, shared accountability, and progress toward deliverables.
• Support EM leaders in translating strategic priorities into actionable implementation plans.
• Monitor progress on key initiatives and ensure accountability for outcomes across functional areas.
• Data Analysis & Strategic Insights Use institutional data to inform decision-making, measure initiative effectiveness, and identify opportunities for enrollment growth and improved student experience.
• In collaboration with our Strategy Office, develop reports, dashboards, and executive summaries that translate complex data into actionable insights.
• Partner with Institutional Research, IT, and EM units to ensure data integrity and accessibility for strategic initiatives.
• Support predictive and performance analysis related to enrollment funnels, melt, retention, and student engagement.
• Executive Support to AVP for Strategic Initiatives Serve as a strategic thought partner to the AVP on emerging priorities, challenges, and opportunities within Enrollment Management.
• Prepare briefing materials, presentations, and strategic communications for leadership meetings.
• Represent the AVP or EM leadership on institutional committees or project teams as assigned.
• Emerging Priorities & Other Duties Manage projects and emerging issues that require immediate attention or executive coordination.
• Stay informed of national trends and best practices in enrollment management and student services.

Benefits

• The University’s benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision and dental, free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, as well as a life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans and other programs, such as access to a long-term disability (LTD) plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees