Project Director, U.S Practice

Arizona State University; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona State University’s University Design Institute (UDI) in Tempe seeks a strategic, client-focused Project Director to lead a portfolio of transformation engagements for the U.S. Practice. You will serve as a primary operational leader for multiple client initiatives and report to the Executive Director, U.S.

Practice. The ideal candidate will bring experience managing large-scale projects in higher education or similar complex settings, with strong communication, budgeting, and stakeholder

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and seven (7) 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.

Responsibilities

• Direct Client Engagements: Direct and oversee a portfolio of client projects from initiation through completion, ensuring alignment with project objectives, client expectations, contractual commitments, and UDI standards for quality and impact.
• Manage Project Delivery and Teams: Provide day-to-day leadership to project teams, consultants, facilitators, and experts. Monitor project performance, manage risks and dependencies, and ensure effective collaboration, accountability, and successful delivery of client outcomes on time and within budget.
• Build and Maintain Client Relationships: Serve as a primary point of contact during engagements both to oversee project direction and to foster trusted relationships, manage expectations, and ensure a high-quality client experience throughout the engagement lifecycle.
• Support Business Development and Engagement Growth: Support the Executive Director, U.S. Practice, in proposal development, project scoping, client presentations and other activities that contribute to practice growth and sustainability.
• Advance Continuous Improvement and Scalable Impact: Capture and synthesize insights, outcomes, and lessons learned across client engagements to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation. Contribute to the refinement of methodologies, strengthen service offerings, and enhance delivery effectiveness. Help build repeatable frameworks, processes, and resources that enable the U.S. Practice to scale its impact while maintaining quality and consistency.

Education

Bachelor's degree and seven (7) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field including two (2) years managerial experience

Job description

Job Profile:Administrative Operations Manager 3

Job Family:Administrative Operations

Time Type:Full time

Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree and seven (7) 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.

Job Profile Summary: Administers and evaluates business and administrative matters within one department, including budget, operations, and programs and personnel administration.

Job Description

Position Salary Range: $120,000-150,000 per year; DOE

The University Design Institute (UDI) partners with universities, higher education systems, philanthropic organizations, and national governments to co-design innovative strategies that strengthen the future of higher education. UDI's U.S. Practice is committed to empowering U.S. universities, especially regional public universities and public systems, as they address the evolving demands of their students, states, and stakeholders. We partner with institutions and systems that serve as critical engines of access, mobility, and economic impact, particularly in communities that depend on public higher education the most. Our work emphasizes reimagining, redesigning, and rebuilding U.S. higher education in ways that enhance student success, workforce alignment, and community impact.

UDI seeks a strategic, client-focused, and execution-oriented Project Director to support the U.S. Practice and lead the successful delivery of a portfolio of client engagements. Reporting to the Executive Director, U.S. Practice, this role serves as a primary operational leader for projects, ensuring high-quality execution, strong client relationships, and measurable outcomes across a diverse portfolio of transformation initiatives.

The ideal candidate brings experience managing large-scale projects and client engagements within higher education or similarly complex sectors and thrives in environments that require both strategic thinking and disciplined execution.

If you are passionate about helping colleges, universities, and systems turn ambitious goals into measurable results while building trusted partnerships that drive lasting impact, this role is for you.

The Ideal Candidate Will:

• Serve as a trusted partner to clients, building strong relationships and ensuring engagements consistently deliver value and exceed expectations.
• Manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, managing scope, budgets, timelines, risks, staffing, and deliverables across a diverse portfolio.
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable project plans and execution strategies that drive measurable outcomes.
• Navigate complex stakeholder environments with professionalism, diplomacy, and strong communication skills.
• Partner closely with the Executive Director, US.. Practice, to operationalize practice priorities and support the successful delivery of client engagements.
• Demonstrate strong business and financial acumen, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently, sustainably, and within budget.

The Ideal Candidate Has:

• Extensive experience leading complex projects, programs, or client engagements within higher education, consulting, non profit, or similarly complex environments.
• Demonstrated success managing client relationships and serving as a primary point of contact for executive-level stakeholders.
• Expertise applying project management methodologies, tools, and practices to manage project scope, timelines, budgets, risks, resources, and stakeholder expectations across multiple engagements.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and coordinating the work of internal staff, external partners, consultants, and subject matter experts.
• Strong financial management experience, including budget oversight, forecasting, contract management, and resource planning.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence and engage diverse audiences.
• Deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing public higher education institutions and systems.

This position is intended to be on-site at UDI's Novus offices on the ASU Tempe Campus; however, remote work may be considered. The role will report to the Executive Director, U.S. Practice.

Essential Duties:

• Direct Client Engagements: Direct and oversee a portfolio of client projects from initiation through completion, ensuring alignment with project objectives, client expectations, contractual commitments, and UDI standards for quality and impact.
• Manage Project Delivery and Teams: Provide day-to-day leadership to project teams, consultants, facilitators, and experts. Monitor project performance, manage risks and dependencies, and ensure effective collaboration, accountability, and successful delivery of client outcomes on time and within budget.
• Build and Maintain Client Relationships: Serve as a primary point of contact during engagements both to oversee project direction and to foster trusted relationships, manage expectations, and ensure a high-quality client experience throughout the engagement lifecycle.
• Support Business Development and Engagement Growth: Support the Executive Director, U.S. Practice, in proposal development, project scoping, client presentations and other activities that contribute to practice growth and sustainability.
• Advance Continuous Improvement and Scalable Impact: Capture and synthesize insights, outcomes, and lessons learned across client engagements to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation. Contribute to the refinement of methodologies, strengthen service offerings, and enhance delivery effectiveness. Help build repeatable frameworks, processes, and resources that enable the U.S. Practice to scale its impact while maintaining quality and consistency.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working with universities, state higher education systems, community colleges, or other mission-driven educational organizations.
• Master's degree in Higher Education, Public Policy, Organizational Development, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex client engagements, strategic initiatives, or organizational transformation projects.
• Proven success overseeing projects that include multiple stakeholders, budgets, timelines, and deliverables.
• Experience supporting proposal development, client acquisition efforts, or consultative engagements.
• Strong business, financial, and operational management skills, including experience with budgeting, forecasting and contract administration.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across organizational, geographic, and institutional boundaries.
• Ability to quickly change priorities which may include and/or be subject to resolution of conflicts.
• Clearly communicate to perform essential functions.
• Use critical thinking to make decisions and/or analyze and report data/results.
• Infrequent bending, reaching, lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 25 pounds.

Working Environment:

• Activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting, subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding, and manipulating a computer mouse.
• Regular use of standard office equipment including computer workstation/laptop, printer, fax, calculator, copier, telephone, and associated peripherals.

Department Statement:

Established in 2019, The University Design Institute at Arizona State University advances innovation and design in higher education around the globe. Higher education has a fundamental responsibility to improve human and planetary wellbeing, and UDI's vision is to support universities and institutions of higher education to emerge as powerful engines of social and economic impact.

We are a values-driven organization with a focus on 6 critical values.

• Intentional Inclusionists: We create an environment of trust, support, acceptance and safety to foster a sense of belonging and wellbeing.
• Eternal Optimists: Change is an opportunity for progress, so we tirelessly work to co-create solutions to transform higher education.
• Avid Learners: We embrace curiosity and an exploratory mindset to promote individual and institutional growth.
• Constructive Challengers: We commit to challenge processes and perspectives in a supportive environment to push towards continuous improvement.
• Collaborative Connectors: Through a culture of collaboration, we weave together a community of problem-solvers to move from ideas to implementation.
• Relentless Innovators: We fail forward, take risks, and move quickly to craft solutions with purpose.

Driving Requirement:

Driving is not required for this position.

Location:

Campus: Tempe

Funding:

No Federal Funding

ASU Statement

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions inclusive excellence, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

ASU is a tobacco‑free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.

Relocation Assistance

For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/az-resources.

Employment Verification Statement

ASU conducts pre‑employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

Background Check Statement

ASU conducts pre‑employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

Fingerprint Check Statement

This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.