Project Manager-Systems (SIP Grant)

CCC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

City Colleges of Chicago is seeking a Project Manager – SIP Grant to provide leadership and strategic oversight for procurement, contracting, implementation, college-wide training, and data analysis related to the SIP Grant software and implementation.

The Project Manager will drive cross-functional planning with Academic Systems, Academic Affairs, and the Office of Student Experience to strengthen enrollment management, ensure timely student outreach, and support transfer credit automation for

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public/Business Admin, Social Science, IT, Planning, or related field.
• Minimum of three years of program or project administration experience.
• Experience with software implementation project management.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.
• Experience with grant management and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement strategy for grants and service providers.
• Oversee cost allocation and ensure compliance with procurement policies.
• Monitor project progress and ensure timelines are met.
• Oversee data collection, reporting structures, and program evaluation.
• Prepare programmatic progress and financial reports for grant requirements.
• Develop and deliver training for transfer articulation software and related staff.
• Manage deployment of transfer credit evaluation software.
• Lead workshops for staff on software functionality and processes.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

Since 1911, City Colleges of Chicago has been connecting students from across Chicago’s neighborhoods to economic opportunity. By offering a quality education at an unprecedented value, City Colleges provides our students and alumni with a pathway to upward mobility. City Colleges of Chicago is the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity—empowering its students to take part in building a stronger and more just city. As Illinois’ largest community college system, City Colleges is comprised of seven colleges and five satellite sites across Chicago

Wright College was awarded the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) Grant on behalf of the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) and its seven community colleges. Wright College will lead a cooperative arrangement development grant to implement districtwide reforms and improvements to transfer credit automation.

The grant is funded through the U.S. Department of Education (ED) Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grant. Project ALIGN will expand capacity to serve students by modernizing transfer evaluation and articulation process through an AI-driven, SaaS Platform; increase the percentage certificate-seeking students who obtain workforce credentials in an Illinois-designated high-target industry; and maintain pilot Initiative as a self-sufficient program

This position is grant funded through September 2028.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Reporting directly to the Dean- Academic and CTE Programs and indirectly to the Associate Vice Chancellor- Academic Systems, Records & Policy, the Project Manager – Systems (SIP Grant) provides leadership and strategic oversight for the procurement, contracting, implementation, collegewide training, and data analysis related to the SIP Grant software and implementation.

The Project Manager facilitates implementation and administration of the transfer credit automation technology solution for the district. The Project Manager leads cross-functional planning, working with Academic Systems, Academic Affairs, and Office of Student Experience (OSX) to strengthen enrollment management practices to ensure consistent student outreach, timely follow-up, and support for students at each step of the enrollment process to increase new student enrollment. Performs other duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Works collaboratively with the Director-Grants Administration (SIP) during the post-award phase of the grant’s lifecycle, developing and implementing work plans in alignment with the grant’s term and conditions.
• Leads the procurement strategy for selecting vendors and service providers, as well as the purchase of equipment and supplies, in accordance with grant requirements.
• Ensures fiscal accountability by overseeing cost allocation to appropriate grant fund accounts and ensuring all purchases comply with CCC’s procurement policies and procedures.
• Monitors project’s progress to ensure activities and process objectives are completed in compliance with established timelines.
• Oversees the design and implementation of data collection and reporting structures to effectively evaluate project performance and outcomes.
• Prepares and submits timely programmatic progress and financial reports in compliance with grant requirements.
• Submits required documentation for the grant and participates in audit activities as appropriate.
• Plans, prioritizes, and evaluates assigned project activities outlined in the implementation strategy.
• Defines project schedules and project parameters to ensure the technology solution is deployed on time and in alignment with districtwide needs.
• Develops and implements operational procedures required to accomplish grant project objectives involving a complex academic software application.
• Manages the deployment of the software solution for transfer credit evaluations.
• Leads the design and delivery of workshops and training sessions for:
  • Instruction on the core functionality related to transfer articulation software; and,
  • Records, and other support staff on the utilization of transfer articulation, and other software features to create a seamless path for students to transfer their coursework.
• Oversees the development of implementation status reports, ensuring accurate and timely updates detailing districtwide system utilization.
• Oversees the creation and maintenance of manuals and training materials related to grant.
• Manages data analysis efforts and presents strategic project recommendations to support process improvement district wide.
• Regularly evaluates existing processes and recommends updates to policies and procedures to align with best practices and emerging funder trends.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public or Business Administration, Social Science, Information Technology, Planning, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of program or project administration experience, preferably in higher education.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered at the discretion of management.
• Experience in project or program management required, preferably in higher education.
• Experience with software implementation project management required.
• Knowledge of public service programs, grant management, program planning, and program monitoring methodologies.
• Proven track record of collaboration, self‑direction and innovation in a collegial work environment.
• Experience in managing budgets and tracking spenddown of grant funds, preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience implementing projects in a complex organization.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Strong relationship management skills, with the ability to cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including donors.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a culturally diverse environment.
• Ability to handle all situations with tact, persuasiveness, and diplomacy.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).

The intent of this job description is to provide a general description of the duties and responsibilities of this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive set of the duties and responsibilities, nor all of the necessary qualifications to perform the work.

Additional Information

• Salary Range: $70,251 - $80,000
• Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as other factors such as internal equity.

WE OFFER

Excellent health and welfare benefit package and long-term savings and investment programs including 403(b) & 457(b) Investment Plans and a pension plan with the State University Retirement System (SURS) Plan. Generous vacation, holiday, personal and sick days, and tuition reimbursement. For a more detailed overview of benefits, please visit the benefits page of our website.

Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6 months of hire.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Thank you for your interest in City Colleges of Chicago!

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