Senior Project Manager

Arizona State University•Tempe, AZ

10h•$70,000 - $75,000•Onsite

About The Position

University College is redefining student success through a model that integrates human flourishing, design thinking, and evidence-driven innovation. The Sr. Project Manager plays a critical role in this work by leading complex, cross-functional initiatives that design, test, implement, and scale holistic, student-centered approaches that support academic, social, and emotional well-being. The Sr. Project Manager will join a collaborative team shaping the next generation of learning and belonging at ASU, pairing innovation with disciplined execution and measurable outcomes. The Sr. Project Manager will work on and facilitate a diverse portfolio of projects within University College, with a particular focus on Project Propel, a transformational initiative that advances a strengths-based, flourishing framework for student success and institutional learning. This role reports to the University College Program Director – Project & Grant Management and works closely with the University College Project Management team. The position supports projects and initiatives aligned with Success by Design, Explore, and the Student Success Center, which deliver holistic student support and academic programs across University College and Arizona State University. The Sr. Project Manager is responsible for ensuring that project goals, timelines, and outcomes are achieved across multiple concurrent initiatives. This role is accountable for full-cycle project management, including project planning, execution, monitoring, and closeout. While the position does not manage IT systems development, it requires rigorous project management discipline applied to complex organizational, academic, and student success initiatives. The work is grounded in theories of change and design thinking, paired with strong project execution practices to move initiatives from concept to implementation and sustained impact. The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated experience successfully managing projects in dynamic, collaborative environments using these approaches. This is a grant-funded position that ends on May 31, 2028.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field including two (2) years managerial experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Nice To Haves

Evidence of a Master’s degree in a related field such as Higher Education, Business, Public Administration, or a comparable discipline.
Demonstrated experience leading complex projects or initiatives from concept through implementation and completion, including responsibility for planning, execution, monitoring, and closeout.
Strong background in managing projects, launching new initiatives, or implementing new programs, particularly those involving organizational change, innovation, or student success outcomes.
Familiarity with formal or applied project management methodologies; project management certification (PMP, CAPM, or equivalent) preferred but not required.
Ability to operate independently with broad guidance, exercise sound judgment, and proactively manage competing priorities across multiple concurrent projects.
Skill in planning, analyzing, and coordinating complex activities, including establishing priorities, managing dependencies, and addressing risks and constraints.
Skill in qualitative and quantitative data analysis and interpretation, including using data to assess progress, inform decision-making, and evaluate outcomes.
Experience managing multiple projects with differing priorities in fast-paced, evolving environments, including comfort working amid ambiguity and iterative development.
Experience working in higher education, career or professional development, or related student success initiatives, including collaboration across academic and administrative units.
Experience cultivating strategic relationships and partnerships and working effectively with diverse stakeholders across a variety of functional and expertise areas.
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, including preparing materials for leadership review, decision-making, and reporting.

Responsibilities

Lead projects through the full project lifecycle, including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closeout, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, timelines, and available resources.
Convene and provide oversight to project working teams and key stakeholders; serve as the primary point of contact for assigned initiatives and ensure clear roles, responsibilities, and expectations.
Develop, maintain, and manage core project documentation, including project charters, work plans, timelines, risk registers, decision logs, meeting agendas and notes, task tracking tools, and project status reports.
Actively manage project scope, schedule, resources, dependencies, and risks across multiple concurrent initiatives; identify issues early and implement mitigation strategies to maintain momentum and quality.
Apply design thinking, process mapping, and theories of change to frame problems, design interventions, and translate concepts into executable project plans with defined milestones and deliverables.
Work collaboratively with project sponsors and stakeholders to define project scope, strategy, budget, success metrics, and intended outcomes; identify and secure appropriate internal and external resources to support project execution.
Establish and manage appropriate project governance structures, including leadership check-ins and decision points; prepare materials that frame decisions, trade-offs, and recommendations for University College leadership.
Escalate risks, scope changes, or resource constraints in a timely, solution-oriented manner, offering clear options and recommendations to support informed decision-making.
Monitor and report on progress against milestones, deliverables, and performance indicators; prepare regular project updates, required reports, and end-of-project summaries that document outcomes, impact, and lessons learned.
Manage, coach, and coordinate project team members, both internal and contracted, to ensure accountability, collaboration, and effective execution.
Build, develop, and maintain collaborative working relationships within University College, across the university, and with third-party partners; manage differing priorities and resolve conflicts to support project success.
Research, compile, analyze, and prepare data, materials, and documentation in support of University College initiatives and institutional learning.
Assist with reviewing grant proposals, estimating project budgets, monitoring and tracking approved funds, and preparing required grant reports in collaboration with program and financial staff.
Serve as a project team member supporting other active University College initiatives as needed and coordinate additional project-related duties aligned with University College priorities, as assigned by leadership.