Operations Project Manager, SESS

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 62,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Utah is seeking a Strategic Enrollment and Student Success Operations Project Manager to lead and coordinate strategic initiatives across enrollment, student engagement, retention, and success. You will partner with colleges and administrative units to plan, implement, and monitor projects from start to finish.

This role offers exposure to campus leadership and the opportunity to influence student experience and institutional priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with required experience as described.
• 4 years related work experience for PM II; 6 years for PM III, per listing.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate strategic enrollment and student success projects.
• Develop project plans, timelines, and communication strategies.
• Monitor progress and manage risks to ensure timely delivery.
• Coordinate cross-divisional stakeholder engagement across colleges and departments.
• Analyze data and report results to leadership.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Summary

The Strategic Enrollment and Student Success (SESS) Operations Project Manager supports the Senior Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment and Student Success by leading and coordinating strategic initiatives that advance institutional goals related to enrollment, student engagement, retention, persistence, and student success. This position partners with academic and administrative leaders across the University to manage projects from planning through implementation, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and successful execution of key initiatives.

This position provides project leadership, coordination, communication, and operational support for complex, cross-functional projects involving multiple stakeholders. Responsibilities include project planning, stakeholder engagement, data collection and analysis, process improvement, change management support, communication planning, and implementation oversight. The SESS Operations Project Manager serves as a liaison among colleges, departments, and administrative units to facilitate collaboration and drive project outcomes.

This position offers the opportunity to work closely with senior leadership on initiatives that directly impact the student experience and support the University’s strategic goals.

This position may be filled at the Operations Project Manager II or III level, based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.

The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.

Responsibilities

Strategic Project Management

• Leads and coordinates projects supporting strategic enrollment, student success, retention, persistence, and engagement priorities.
• Develops and maintains project plans, timelines, milestones, communication plans, and implementation strategies.
• Monitors project progress and ensures deliverables are completed on schedule and in alignment with project objectives.
• Identifies project risks, barriers, and dependencies and recommends solutions to maintain project momentum.
• Provides regular project updates, status reports, and recommendations to leadership.

Student Success and Enrollment Initiatives

• Supports initiatives designed to improve the student experience and advance institutional enrollment and student success goals.
• Assists with the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs, services, and operational improvements affecting students.
• Coordinates projects involving student engagement, communications, outreach, and support services.
• Supports cross-divisional efforts to improve student access, belonging, persistence, retention, and academic success.

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

• Facilitates collaboration among Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, Undergraduate Studies, Student Affairs, colleges, departments, and administrative units.
• Coordinates meetings, working groups, task forces, and stakeholder discussions.
• Develops communication strategies that support project goals and ensure stakeholder alignment.
• Builds productive relationships with campus partners and serves as a primary liaison for assigned initiatives.

Student Systems, Technology, and Process Improvement

• Supports projects involving student-facing technology platforms, information systems, and digital engagement tools.
• Assists with evaluating business processes and identifying opportunities to improve service delivery and operational effectiveness.
• Coordinates efforts related to communication workflows, governance structures, and service enhancements.
• Supports implementation of technology solutions that contribute to student success outcomes.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Collects, analyzes, and interprets data to support project planning and decision-making.
• Develops reports, presentations, and project documentation for leadership and stakeholders.
• Tracks project outcomes and key performance indicators.
• Assists with identifying trends, opportunities, and areas for continuous improvement.

Examples of Potential Projects

• Student communication strategy, governance, and optimization initiatives.
• Student engagement and retention improvement efforts.
• Enrollment strategy and recruitment support initiatives.
• Student information systems and technology enhancement projects.
• Artificial intelligence initiatives supporting student success and operational effectiveness.
• Cross-divisional communication alignment and process improvement efforts.
• Survey strategy and assessment projects designed to improve institutional effectiveness and reduce student survey fatigue.
• Strategic initiatives that enhance the student experience and advance institutional priorities.

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

• Operations Project Manager, II: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.
• Operations Project Manager, III: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of project management principles, methodologies, and best practices.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to facilitate meetings and work effectively with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to gather, analyze, and present information to support decision-making.
• Ability to develop collaborative relationships across a complex organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while managing multiple deadlines.
• Proficiency with project management, collaboration, and data reporting tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education, enrollment management, student affairs, academic administration, or a similarly complex environment.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects involving multiple stakeholder groups.
• Experience supporting strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, process improvement, or change management initiatives.
• Experience with student success, enrollment, retention, or student engagement initiatives.
• Experience gathering, analyzing, and presenting data to support organizational decision-making.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or comparable project management training.
• Master's degree in Higher Education, Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN45915B

Full Time or Part Time?: Full Time

Work Schedule Summary: Monday – Friday

Department: 02404 - SVP Strategic Enrollment

Location: Campus

Pay Rate Range: $62,000-$98,000

Close Date: 10/01/2026

Open Until Filled