Senior Project Manager

Grinnell; Grinnell, Northern (IA, KY); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Grinnell College seeks a Senior Project Manager to lead enterprise-wide technology modernization and strategic initiatives within ITS PMO. You’ll partner with senior leaders, faculty, and administrators to drive organizational change and measurable outcomes for students and staff.

The role focuses on accreditation-related projects, ERP modernization, software implementations, and digital experience improvements, with governance, planning, and portfolio management responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Seven years+ of experience managing multiple cross-functional projects.
• Experience leading large-scale initiatives with senior leaders and significant change.
• Experience managing schedules, risks, issues, and communications.
• PM certification (PMP, PMI-ACP, PRINCE2) or willingness to obtain within one year.
• Strong organizational, analytical, facilitation, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication at all levels.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, vendors, and external partners.
• Ability to translate complex requirements into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-wide initiatives involving change, process improvement, technology modernization, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Partner with project sponsors and ITS leadership on priorities, resources, risk mitigation and implementation.
• Establish trust and alignment across diverse stakeholder groups to advance initiatives.
• Develop project plans and schedules; coordinate with specialists on communication, training and change management.
• Ensure projects are completed successfully and deliver institutional outcomes.
• Support PMO operations, governance, and portfolio management; maintain metrics and dashboards.
• Mentor colleagues and provide project management guidance across the college.

Skills

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

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Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Job description

Grinnell College is seeking a collaborative and experienced Senior Project Manager to join the Information Technology Services Project Management Office (PMO). This highly visible position will lead complex, institution-wide technology modernization and business transformation initiatives that advance Grinnell College’s strategic priorities. This opportunity allows you to partner with senior leaders, faculty and administrative offices to drive organizational change and deliver meaningful outcomes for students, faculty and staff.

The Senior Project Manager serves as a trusted partner and strategic advisor to project sponsors, campus leaders, and stakeholders across the institution, providing leadership in project planning, coordination, communication, governance, and execution.

The position will initially play a significant role in supporting the College's upcoming Higher Learning Commission accreditation review, providing an opportunity to develop a deep understanding of Grinnell's culture, governance, and institutional priorities while leading important campus-wide initiatives. Other projects may include ERP modernization, software implementations and integrations, business process improvement, and digital experience improvements for students, faculty and staff.

The Senior Project Manager will regularly engage with executive sponsors and institutional leaders to navigate complex organizational challenges, align initiatives with strategic priorities, and support informed decision-making. As a senior member of the PMO, this role will also contribute to portfolio management, governance processes, project management consultation, and the continued evolution of project management practices across the College.

The successful candidate will be energized by building relationships, navigating complex organizations, and driving meaningful organizational outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Complex Projects and Key Institutional Priorities

• Lead enterprise-wide initiatives involving organizational change, process improvement, technology modernization, and cross-functional collaboration in support of the academic mission and strategic priorities
• Partner with project sponsors and ITS leadership regarding project priorities, resource allocation, risk mitigation and implementation approaches
• Establish trust and alignment across diverse stakeholder groups to advance initiatives.
• Apply project management best practices to develop project plans and schedules, and coordinate with specialists on communication, training and change management plans
• Ensure projects are completed successfully and institutional outcomes are achieved

Support Cross-Functional Projects and Institutional Coordination

• Build productive partnerships across academic and administrative divisions while fostering collaboration, accountability, and shared ownership of outcomes
• Facilitate meetings with project teams, vendors, consultants, and stakeholders; monitor progress, identify and resolve risks and issues, and communicate status, tradeoffs, and recommendations to stakeholders and leadership
• Participate in working groups and non-PMO led projects as requested to advance institutional objectives

PMO Operations, Governance, and Portfolio Management

• Support PMO operations, governance, and portfolio management, including regular status reporting, and consistent use of PMO methodologies, standards, and practices
• Maintain project metrics, dashboards, and schedules
• Contribute to strategic portfolio planning and prioritization discussions that help the College maximize institutional value and organizational capacity
• Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations for leadership, governance groups, and stakeholders

Provide Project Management Consultation and Training

• Serve as a mentor and thought partner for colleagues seeking to strengthen project and change management capabilities
• Consult with faculty and staff on project management approaches, resources, tools, and best practices
• Develop and deliver training, resources, templates, and guidance to advance project management maturity across the institution

Contribute to Continuous Improvement and Professional Development

• Participate in professional development to maintain project management expertise and certification requirements
• Contribute to the ongoing evolution of project and portfolio management practices in the PMO and at the College
• Perform other duties as assigned

ABOUT GRINNELL COLLEGE

At Grinnell College, meaningful work is grounded in collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to advancing student success. Senior Project Managers lead initiatives that influence the experiences of students, faculty, and staff while helping advance systems and technology at a nationally recognized liberal arts institution.

In addition to meaningful and impactful work, we offer a generous benefits package that includes comprehensive healthcare, retirement benefits, paid leave, professional development opportunities, and educational benefits. We believe our people are our greatest asset, and we strive to create an environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally.

Grinnell College values diversity, equity, inclusion, intellectual freedom, and social responsibility. We seek candidates who share these commitments and are ready to collaborate across the College to strengthen belonging, advance our mission, and contribute to the communities we serve.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• A minimum of seven years of experience managing multiple, complex, cross-functional projects using established project management methodologies and tools.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale, cross-functional initiatives involving senior leaders, complex stakeholder environments, and significant organizational change.
• Experience managing project schedules, risks, issues, and communications, and proficiency with project management methodologies and tools.
• Project management certification from an accredited provider (PMP, PMI-ACP, PRINCE2, or equivalent) or agrees to complete certification within one year.
• Strong organizational, analytical, facilitation, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to build trust, facilitate discussions, navigate differing perspectives, and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage projects and initiatives while exercising sound judgment and operating within broad institutional objectives.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, senior leaders, vendors, consultants, and external partners to achieve project objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex operational or technical requirements into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education or a similarly complex mission-driven organization.
• Experience supporting institutional accreditation, assessment, continuous improvement, strategic planning, or quality initiatives.
• Experience leading enterprise software implementations, digital transformation initiatives, business process improvement efforts, or institutional change programs.
• Experience mentoring project managers or contributing to the development of project management standards and practices.
• Training or certification in organizational change management methodologies (Prosci, CCMP, or similar).

Employment Category

Regular

Employment Status

Full-time

Work Location Type

Available for Hybrid

FLSA Category

Exempt

P4S

Anticipated Hiring Range

$100 - $115k annually

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Grinnell College is committed to establishing and maintaining a safe and nondiscriminatory educational and working environment for all College community members. It is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in matters of admission, employment, and housing, and in access to and participation in its education programs, services, and activities. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, religion, disability, creed or any other protected class. Discrimination and harassment on any of the bases covered by state or federal antidiscrimination statutes is unlawful and a violation of Grinnell College policy.