Senior Project Manager – Office of IDEA - School of Public Health
About The Position
The Senior Project Manager will serve as the operational engine of the Institutional Development and External Affairs office within the School of Public Health. This Office is responsible for (a) engaging with the work of the Ryan Institute and other units that focus on generating ideas and solutions, (b) building the Public Health Action Labs that serve as a resource to faculty, research centers, networks and offices providing policy, economic analysis, communications and implementation support to move ideas to action, and (c) spearheading priority initiatives to elevate school visibility including external affairs and communication. The Senior Project Manager keeps a complex, fast-moving portfolio on track — managing timelines, coordinating across three distinct functions (the Ryan Institute, Public Health Action Labs and Marketing and Communications), and ensuring that the priorities of the Office move from intention to execution.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree
- Five years in project management, chief of staff, operations, or program management in a complex environment.
- Track record of managing multiple concurrent workstreams with competing deadlines.
- Exceptional written communication — able to write clear briefing memos, status reports, and executive summaries.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain project management systems.
Nice To Haves
- Experience supporting a senior leader in a higher education, research, government, or mission-driven organization.
- Familiarity with public health, health policy, or social sector contexts.
- Experience supporting or participating in the launch of a new organizational function, program, or initiative.
- Proficiency with project management tools (Asana, Monday, Notion, or equivalent).
- Experience managing external relationship logistics — tracking funder or partner outreach, preparing briefing materials, coordinating follow-up.
- Master's degree
Responsibilities
- Prep for key meetings and ensure follow-through on agreed upon next steps from meetings.
- Develop timelines and track progress towards deadlines – strategically consider the best way to move projects forward.
- Ensure that the office produces the kind of clear, accessible records that allow an ambitious agenda to be evaluated, communicated, and built upon over time.
- Manage the operational workstream of standing up the Labs — tracking hiring timelines, onboarding logistics, space and resource needs, governance document development, and stakeholder engagement.
- Keep a master project plan that the Associate Dean can use to report progress to the Dean and school leadership.
- Support the Associate Dean in managing relationships with funders, government partners, community organizations, and institutional allies — tracking outreach, managing follow-up, and preparing briefing materials.
- Draft briefing memos, status reports, presentation decks, and talking points for the meetings.
- Synthesize complex information into clear, digestible formats.
Benefits
- Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
- Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
- Free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
- Defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
- Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
- 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child.
- Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs.
- Adult care resources.
- Covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
