Senior Project Manager - Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College; Grinnell (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive healthcare

Retirement benefits

Paid leave

Professional development opportunities

Educational benefits

Job summary

Grinnell College is seeking a collaborative and experienced Senior Project Manager to join the Information Technology Services PMO. This role will lead complex, institution-wide technology modernization and business transformation initiatives that advance Grinnell College’s strategic priorities.

You will partner with senior leaders, faculty and administrative offices to drive organizational change and deliver meaningful outcomes for students, faculty and staff.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex technology modernization and enterprise-wide transformation initiatives.
• Ability to partner with senior leaders, faculty and administrative offices to drive organizational change.
• Strong governance, planning, communication, and execution skills for large programs.
• Experience with project management methodologies and portfolio management in higher education or complex organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex, institution-wide technology modernization and business transformation initiatives that advance Grinnell College’s strategic priorities.
• Partner with project sponsors and ITS leadership on priorities, risks, resources, and implementation approaches.
• Establish trust across stakeholder groups and develop plans, schedules, communications, training, and change management plans.
• Provide PMO governance, reporting, dashboards, and portfolio management to ensure institutional outcomes are achieved.

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

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.