Project Manager

Wayne State University; Detroit, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Wayne State University is seeking a Project Manager to lead enterprise-wide technology, data, and process improvement initiatives at its Detroit campus. The role oversees the full project lifecycle, coordinating with executive leadership, business units, and vendors to ensure delivery within scope, time, and budget.

You will build relationships across IT, Institutional Research and Data Analytics, and other units, translating business needs into actionable plans and supporting digital solution

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Proven leadership experience in cross-functional teams.
• Ability to influence across units and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project execution, including scope, schedule, budget, resources, risk, and quality management.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional project teams and stakeholders.
• Define project objectives, gather requirements, and ensure alignment with strategy.
• Manage communications, status reporting, and governance meetings.
• Support PMO standards, methodologies, and knowledge sharing.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS / related field

Job description

Project Manager

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Project Manager at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Essential functions (job duties):

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Senior Director of Project Management, the Project Manager leads large, complex, enterprise-wide technology, data/information, and process improvement (digital) initiatives in support of the University’s strategic goals. This role is responsible for managing the full project lifecycle, from initiation through delivery, while ensuring alignment to scope, schedule, budget, and measurable outcomes. The Project Manager partners with executive leadership, cross-functional teams, and third-party vendors to drive successful delivery and maintain effective stakeholder engagement, communication, and risk management.

Essential Functions
(Essential functions are the primary duties/major job responsibilities that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The essential functions are listed in order of importance.)
Lead end-to-end project execution, including scope, schedule, budget, resources, risk, and quality management. Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with University standards and stakeholder expectations.

Lead and coordinate cross-functional project teams, fostering collaboration, accountability, and effective execution. Build strong relationships across business and academic units, units within digital strategy and operational excellence (IT, Institutional Research and Data Analytics, Operational Excellence, Administration & Finance) and external partners to achieve project objectives.

Partner with executive leadership, business units, and technical teams to define project objectives, gather requirements, and ensure alignment with organizational strategy. Translate business needs into actionable project plans and support the design of digital solutions.

Manage communication across stakeholders, including executive leadership and governance bodies. Provide clear status reporting, facilitate project and steering committee meetings, and elevate risks and issues as needed.

Support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of PMO standards, methodologies, and project management practices. Contribute to process improvement efforts, technical documentation, knowledge sharing, and end-user/customer training.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Unique duties:

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree in computer science, business information technology, information systems, business administration, or related field.

Equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.

Experience: Specialist (minimum 5 years of job-related experience)
Minimum five (5) years of experience managing large-scale, high-level customer-facing IT and process improvement projects leveraging best-in-class methodologies for successful execution.

Higher education or experience working in similar sized and complex organizations is preferred.

Significant experience in higher education business processes.

Experience managing large-scale, customer-facing initiatives with multiple stakeholders and dependencies.

Experience supporting process improvement and digital transformation efforts preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively engage diverse audiences, including executive leadership and external stakeholders.

Proven leadership experience leading large, cross-functional teams in complex, enterprise environments.

Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate across business and academic units, technology, data, and business analysis teams, and external partners, often without direct authority, to drive alignment and achieve results.

Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to evaluate impacts, assess alternatives, and align projects to organizational goals and measurable outcomes.

Ability to lead problem-solving, process improvement, and digital transformation initiatives in complex, large-scale environments.

Highly adaptable and resilient, with the ability to manage ambiguity, competing priorities, and high-pressure situations.

Preferred qualifications:

School/College/Division:

H2520 - Enterprise Applications

Primary department:

H2520 - Enterprise Applications

Employment type:

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Staff/Administrative

Funding/salary information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Hourly rate:
• Salary minimum:
• Salary hire maximum:

Working conditions:

Hybrid/Minimum 3 Days in Office

Job openings:

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No
• Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
• Prior posting/requisition number:

Background check requirements:

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.