Project Manager, Strategic Operations, College of Engineering

The Pennsylvania State University; State College (Centre County); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University is seeking a Project Manager, Strategic Operations within the College of Engineering to drive projects that enhance operational effectiveness, business processes, and service delivery across the College.

You will lead cross-functional efforts, align stakeholders, and manage the full project lifecycle from initiation to closeout, utilizing data and AI-enabled tools to deliver strategic outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required; 1+ years of relevant experience or equivalent
• Required certifications: None
• Authorized to work in the U.S. (employer does not sponsor visas)

Responsibilities

• Plan, manage, and execute projects to improve operations and performance.
• Collaborate with College leadership and academic/administrative units to identify opportunities.
• Facilitate stakeholder discussions and workshops to gather requirements and develop future-state solutions.
• Maintain project plans, schedules, risks, communications, and documentation.
• Analyze processes, workflows, and data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Lead change initiatives supporting College strategic priorities.
• Monitor scope, risks, issues, dependencies, and changes; suggest corrective actions.
• Prepare presentations and executive briefings on status, risks, and opportunities.
• Translate complex analyses into actionable recommendations for leadership.
• Leverage data and AI-enabled tools to improve analysis and outcomes.
• Contribute to PM practices, templates, and methodologies college-wide

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Process improvement

Business analysis

Organizational change

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.For additional information on remote work at Penn State, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The College of Engineering is seeking a Project Manager, Strategic Operations to lead projects and initiatives that improve operational effectiveness, business processes, service delivery, and organizational performance across the College. This position serves as a key partner to College leadership, academic departments, research units, administrative offices, and University stakeholders, leading projects that advance strategic priorities and strengthen organizational effectiveness.

The Project Manager is responsible for managing projects through the full project lifecycle, including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closeout. The role leads cross-functional efforts focused on process improvement, operational transformation, business analysis, organizational effectiveness, and technology-enabled solutions. Working across organizational boundaries, the position aligns stakeholders, resources, schedules, risks, and deliverables to achieve project objectives while supporting the College's strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, manage, and execute projects that improve operations, processes, and organizational performance.
• Partner with College leadership, academic departments, research centers, institutes, and administrative units to identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness and service delivery.
• Facilitate stakeholder discussions, process reviews, workshops, and planning sessions to gather requirements, evaluate current-state operations, and develop future-state solutions.
• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, milestones, risk assessments, communication plans, status reports, and project documentation.
• Analyze business processes, workflows, financial data, transactional activity, staffing models, and operational practices to identify opportunities for improvement and organizational efficiencies.
• Lead process redesign, operational improvement, and organizational change initiatives that support the College's strategic priorities.
• Monitor project performance, manage project scope, risks, issues, dependencies, and change requests, and recommend corrective actions when needed.
• Prepare presentations, reports, dashboards, and executive briefings that communicate project status, findings, risks, opportunities, and recommendations.
• Support decision-making by translating complex analyses into actionable recommendations for College leadership.
• Leverage data, emerging technologies, and AI-enabled tools to improve analysis, project execution, stakeholder engagement, and operational outcomes.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of project management practices, tools, templates, and methodologies across the College.

Preferred Qualifications:

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Experience leading projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Knowledge of project management methodologies, tools, and best practices.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to build relationships and influence outcomes across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Experience translating complex information into clear recommendations and actionable plans.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $65,508.00 - $94,980.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

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