Strategic Project Manager, Office of the Provost

Santa Clara University • Santa Clara, CA

1d • $129,000 - $150,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Strategic Project Manager provides senior-level programmatic leadership and direct support to the Provost’s leadership team and key strategic partners. The role advances cross-organizational initiatives that drive new academic and operational priorities, ensuring effective coordination and execution across the University. It demands a high degree of professionalism, discretion, and judgment commensurate with supporting the chief academic officers. This position receives direction and supervision from the Vice Provost for Planning at Santa Clara University and the Manager of Undergraduate Medical Education at Sutter Health.

Requirements

• Understanding of higher education and academic administration.
• Familiarity with Santa Clara University organizational structure, particularly campus offices that interact with the Provost’s Office.
• Familiarity with budget planning, accreditation processes, curriculum development, and collaborative governance.
• Familiarity with large operational or healthcare systems, or similar complex multi-site organizations.
• Understanding of the values and ideals of Jesuit education.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative and effective working relationships within the Office of the Provost; with all levels of students, faculty, administrators, staff; and with external parties.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks simultaneously, ensuring follow through, prioritizing on-going tasks and projects, and being flexible and responsive to unexpected shifts in workflow.
• Superior organizational, planning, and prioritization skills.
• Skill in drafting business correspondence, minutes, and briefings.
• Skill in gathering information for briefings that may include compiling materials from various sources and fact-finding.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated record of sound judgment.
• Strong customer service and diplomacy skills.
• Advanced level computer skills using the Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workplace Applications.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to handle sensitive matters with judgment, tact, and diplomacy.
• Ability to provide a high level of attention to accuracy and detail.
• Ability to work with diverse students, faculty, staff, administrators and other stakeholders.
• Ability to reflect, articulate and promote the mission, vision, and identity of the University.
• Ability to identify opportunities to streamline administrative processes using AI-enabled solutions while maintaining confidentiality, accuracy, and compliance with institutional policies.
• Bachelor's Degree and eight years of related experience is required, or a Master’s Degree and six years of related experience.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with Workday and web publishing tools such as Terminal 4, is preferred
• Proficiency with AI-assisted productivity tools (e.g., generating meeting minutes, drafting summaries, preparing correspondence, managing information, and optimizing workflows using secure, approved AI tools).

Responsibilities

• Leads strategic initiatives in supporting the planning, development and operational oversight for a new school within the University.
• Directs cross-functional workstreams across facility planning, human resources, marketing communications, and philanthropy to build a sustainable organizational infrastructure.
• Partners with senior leadership to translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, providing analysis, insights, and recommendations to inform decision-making.
• Leads cross-functional projects, coordinating internal teams and strategic partners to ensure the successful launch of a new school.
• Apply project management principles to manage project scope, timelines, resources, and outcomes, while facilitating collaboration and alignment across a diverse set of stakeholders.
• Leads planning efforts, including development and implementation of frameworks, policies, and standards to support effective decision-making and organizational alignment.
• Serves as the primary liaison across departments, leadership, and strategic partners, fostering strong relationships and ensuring clear, consistent communication.
• Represents program goals and promotes engagement through strategic partnerships, community outreach, and collaboration.
• Serves as a liaison with the University Finance Office with regard to budget and financial management issues for the School of Medicine.
• Provides mentorship and problem solving strategies to business teams and academic workgroups.
• Organizes a set of academic workgroups with a focus on curriculum development and accreditation approval.
• Conducts and synthesizes complex research into high-impact recommendations on best practices related to collaborative governance, curriculum development, faculty policies and procedures, staffing, space planning, and student support.
• Support decision-making by overseeing data collection, analysis, and reporting to monitor performance and evaluate outcomes.
• Prepares executive-level materials, reports, and presentations, translating complex information into clear, actionable insights.
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees with programs and resources designed to promote and sustain personal health care, well-being, and the financial objectives of our employees and families.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior