Strategic Initiatives and Projects Manager, UC Berkeley Extension (5252C) #89194

University of California, Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); Remote; USD 96,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Berkeley Extension seeks a Strategic Initiatives and Projects Manager for Educational Design and Technology to plan and execute critical projects that meet instructional design, media, and academic operations needs. You will coordinate with EDT and academic units to ensure timely delivery of course development and new programs.

The role supervises cross‑functional teams, manages budgets and risk, and requires PMP or similar certification, plus a bachelor’s degree and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related area or equivalent experience / training.
• Project management certification (PMP, CSM, ACP or equivalent).
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects.
• Strong organizational and detail-oriented approach.

Responsibilities

• Applies professional project management concepts to course development and related projects.
• Documents deadlines, milestones, and responsibilities across departments using a PM platform.
• Monitors project progress from initiation to delivery and manages risks with stakeholders.
• Creates proposals and reports establishing scope, timelines, and resource needs.
• Directs moderate to large project teams and manages budget and resources.
• Leads cross‑departmental kickoff meetings to ensure cohesive timelines.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Written communication

Organization

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Asana

Canvas

Job description

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.

Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride.

Departmental Overview

UC Berkeley Extension (UNEX), the continuing education branch of the University of California, Berkeley, has been building bridges between UC Berkeley and the public since 1891. UNEX serves the professional and continuing education goals of thousands of people each year and plays an essential part in the University's mission to extend UC Berkeley's research and scholarship to a global community, increase access to higher education for non-traditional, online, and international students, and improve the workforce.

UC Berkeley Extension is part of the division under the leadership of the Dean of Extended Education, which also includes Berkeley Summer Sessions, Berkeley Study Abroad, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Position Summary

The Strategic Initiatives and Projects Manager for Educational Design and Technology (EDT) is responsible for planning and ensuring the execution of numerous critical projects to meet instructional design, media, and academic operations needs at UC Berkeley Extension. This position supports teams, both within EDT and academic departments, to ensure the smooth and timely completion of course development, new programs, and the deployment of new software, LTIs, and new design and access approaches for the division.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is October 13, 2026. For full consideration, please apply by the first review date.

Project Management and Analysis

• Applies professional project management and concepts, UC Berkeley academic and administrative policies and procedures to manage projects related to existing course development, new course development, and medium to large maintenance projects related to course development projects.
• Provides analysis and status tracking for moderately complex, project-related issues in Asana or the current Project Management platform, ensuring clear, transparent visibility into multiple project statuses for stakeholders on course development projects, such as academic leads, the instructional design team, the educational technology unit, the media team, and Marketing.

Process Implementation

• Implements the project management process to support products and services across departmental or cross‑functional teams.
• Using Asana or another project management platform to document the various responsibilities of teams across departments, such as deadlines and milestones for the subject matter expert (SME), or monitoring and optimizing detailed checklists for the media team within course development projects.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Monitors and reports on project progress from initiation through delivery, including oversight of system integrations with the learning management system (Canvas), project and related communications, interaction with vendors, and managing risk.
• Identify and elevate risks, and facilitate resolution among project team members, stakeholders, and subject matter experts when concerns arise regarding integrations, external vendors, and project delivery timelines.

Project Planning

• Creates project proposals and reports by working with stakeholders to establish project scope, roadmap, deadlines, and responsibilities at the beginning and throughout course or content development projects.

Team Leadership and Resource Management

• Assembles and directs moderate to large project teams, designs project plans and schedules, and monitors budget and resources.
• Directs the activities of the project with the goal of completing the project on schedule and within budget constraints.

Organizational Change and Coordination

• Identify and report any issues that arise from implementing changes within the organization.
• Leads kick‑off meetings with cross‑departmental teams to ensure cohesive pathways and timelines for all involved.

General Support

• Assists with other projects, initiatives, and research across the department as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Requires basic knowledge of project management principles, theories, and concepts.
• Requires the ability to assess campus, medical center, or Office of the President needs for information technology products and design services to meet those needs.
• Working knowledge of initiatives and an understanding of impact to the organization of such initiatives.
• Demonstrated capacity to anticipate obstacles and plan for contingencies.
• Demonstrated attention to detail. Demonstrated ability to determine relevance and prioritize tasks.
• Demonstrated organization and project management skills.
• Demonstrated effective writing skills. Knowledge of all aspects of communications.
• Demonstrated competency in selecting and implementing project management methods and techniques.
• Proven leadership ability. Effective problem‑solving skills. Demonstrated ability to put forth persuasive arguments.
• Effective skill at tracking effort and project progress.
• Broad knowledge of initiatives and an understanding of impact to the organization of such initiatives.
• Bachelor's degree in a related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Project management certification from a reputable organization, such as PMP, CSM, or ACP, to include a qualifying exam and/or quality assurance processes like Six Sigma or Lean, and/or equivalent project management experience.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $96,075 - $130,000.

• This is an exempt, monthly‑paid position.
• This is a full‑time, career position eligible for UC benefits.

Other Information

• This position is eligible for remote work within the United States. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H‑1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between UAW (United Auto Workers) and the University of California Regents for Research and Public Service Professionals (RP). More information is available at: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/resources/employment‑policies‑contracts/bargaining‑units/rp‑research‑and‑public‑service‑professionals/contract/

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

\"Misconduct\" Means Any Violation Of The Policies Or Laws Governing Conduct At The Applicant’s Previous Place Of Employment, Including, But Not Limited To, Violations Of Policies Or Laws Prohibiting Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Or Other Forms Of Harassment, Discrimination, Dishonesty, Or Unethical Conduct, As Defined By The Employer. For Reference, Below Are UC’s Policies Addressing Some Forms Of Misconduct

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.