Team Leader, Project Management Office

UMass Amherst•Amherst, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position supports the Head of the Project Management Office in the day-to-day coordination and operational functions of the PMO. This role helps maintain project management standards, processes, and methodologies by assisting project managers and ensuring consistent application of PMO practices across campus projects. The Team Lead serves as a first point of contact for project related inquiries, supports the development of PMO programs such as the mentor–mentee initiative, and contributes to effective project delivery that aligns with the university’s goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of progressively responsible experience in project management.
Four years of relevant experience may be substituted for the degree requirement.
Experience in project planning, scheduling, tracking, and budgeting.
Ability to influence and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Proven track record of successfully managing complex projects and project portfolios.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Deep understanding of project management methodologies, tools, and techniques.
Experience in change management, process improvement, and organizational transformation.

Nice To Haves

Supervisory experience.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.
Experience working in higher education or academic setting.

Responsibilities

Supports the Head of the Project Mangement Office in implementing PMO plans, initiatives, and operational priorities.
Assists in maintaining PMO processes, standards, templates, and guidelines to promote consistency and quality across projects.
Serves as a first point of contact for project managers seeking operational guidance, troubleshooting, or issue escalation.
Provides day to day support, coaching, and coordination for project managers, junior staff, and Student Interns.
Develops, manages, and maintains the PMO mentor–mentee program, including participant matching and progress monitoring.
Oversees Student Interns assigned to the PMO, assisting with scheduling, task coordination, and general skill development.
Tracks project statuses across the project portfolio, helping identify risks, issues, and dependencies for escalation to the Head of PMO.
Collects project performance data and contributes to preparing PMO dashboards, reports, and metrics.
Supports coordination of vendor activities related to assigned projects and escalates deliverable or performance issues as appropriate.
Assists project teams in identifying and documenting risks and issues to support visibility, communication, and resolution.
Helps maintain accurate project documentation, resource information, and tracking materials across the PMO.
Collaborates with internal stakeholders to support project communication, information gathering, and alignment with PMO processes.
Provides feedback on PMO tools, procedures, and workflows to support continuous improvement initiatives.
Assists in communicating updates regarding project management best practices, tools, and procedures across the PMO and broader IT organization.
Serves as liaison for designated project areas or departments, supporting coordination and flow of project-related information.
Handles sensitive or confidential project information responsibly and in accordance with university policies.
Performs other duties as assigned.