Operations Project Manager, SESS
Job Summary
The Strategic Enrollment and Student Success (SESS) Operations
Project Manager supports the Senior Vice Provost for Strategic
Enrollment and Student Success by leading and coordinating
strategic initiatives that advance institutional goals related to
enrollment, student engagement, retention, persistence, and student
success. This position partners with academic and administrative
leaders across the University to manage projects from planning
through implementation, ensuring alignment with institutional
priorities and successful execution of key initiatives.
This position provides project leadership, coordination,
communication, and operational support for complex,
cross-functional projects involving multiple stakeholders.
Responsibilities include project planning, stakeholder engagement,
data collection and analysis, process improvement, change
management support, communication planning, and implementation
oversight. The SESS Operations Project Manager serves as a liaison
among colleges, departments, and administrative units to facilitate
collaboration and drive project outcomes.
This position offers the opportunity to work closely with senior
leadership on initiatives that directly impact the student
experience and support the University's strategic goals.
This position may be filled at the Operations Project Manager II or
III level, based on the successful candidate's qualifications and
experience.
The department may choose to hire at any of the below job
levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and
budget.
Responsibilities
Strategic Project Management
- Leads and coordinates projects supporting strategic enrollment,
student success, retention, persistence, and engagement
priorities.
Develops and maintains project plans, timelines, milestones,
communication plans, and implementation strategies.
Monitors project progress and ensures deliverables are
completed on schedule and in alignment with project
objectives.
Identifies project risks, barriers, and dependencies and
recommends solutions to maintain project momentum.
Provides regular project updates, status reports, and
recommendations to leadership.
Student Success and Enrollment Initiatives
- Supports initiatives designed to improve the student experience
and advance institutional enrollment and student success
goals.
- Assists with the design, implementation, and evaluation of
programs, services, and operational improvements affecting
students.
- Coordinates projects involving student engagement,
communications, outreach, and support services.
- Supports cross-divisional efforts to improve student access,
belonging, persistence, retention, and academic success.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
- Facilitates collaboration among Academic Affairs, Enrollment
Management, Undergraduate Studies, Student Affairs, colleges,
departments, and administrative units.
- Coordinates meetings, working groups, task forces, and
stakeholder discussions.
- Develops communication strategies that support project goals
and ensure stakeholder alignment.
- Builds productive relationships with campus partners and serves
as a primary liaison for assigned initiatives.
Student Systems, Technology, and Process Improvement
- Supports projects involving student-facing technology
platforms, information systems, and digital engagement tools.
- Assists with evaluating business processes and identifying
opportunities to improve service delivery and operational
effectiveness.
- Coordinates efforts related to communication workflows,
governance structures, and service enhancements.
- Supports implementation of technology solutions that contribute
to student success outcomes.
Data Analysis and Reporting
- Collects, analyzes, and interprets data to support project
planning and decision-making.
- Develops reports, presentations, and project documentation for
leadership and stakeholders.
- Tracks project outcomes and key performance indicators.
- Assists with identifying trends, opportunities, and areas for
continuous improvement.
Examples of Potential Projects
Projects may include:
- Student communication strategy, governance, and optimization
initiatives.
- Student engagement and retention improvement efforts.
- Enrollment strategy and recruitment support initiatives.
- Student information systems and technology enhancement
projects.
- Artificial intelligence initiatives supporting student success
and operational effectiveness.
- Cross-divisional communication alignment and process
improvement efforts.
- Survey strategy and assessment projects designed to improve
institutional effectiveness and reduce student survey fatigue.
- Strategic initiatives that enhance the student experience and
advance institutional priorities.
Minimum Qualifications
EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education
can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience
(Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work
experience).
Department may hire employee at one of the following job
levels: Operations Project Manager, II:
Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master's (or
equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.
Operations Project Manager, III: Requires a
bachelor's (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master's (or
equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.
Preferences
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of project management principles, methodologies, and
best practices.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage
multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously.
- Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal
communication skills.
- Ability to facilitate meetings and work effectively with
diverse stakeholder groups.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking
skills.
- Ability to gather, analyze, and present information to support
decision-making.
- Ability to develop collaborative relationships across a complex
organization.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently while managing
multiple deadlines.
- Proficiency with project management, collaboration, and data
reporting tools.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in higher education, enrollment management,
student affairs, academic administration, or a similarly complex
environment.
- Experience leading cross-functional projects involving multiple
stakeholder groups.
- Experience supporting strategic planning, organizational
effectiveness, process improvement, or change management
initiatives.
- Experience with student success, enrollment, retention, or
student engagement initiatives.
- Experience gathering, analyzing, and presenting data to support
organizational decision-making.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or
comparable project management training.
- Master's degree in Higher Education, Public Administration,
Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related
field.
Special Instructions
Requisition Number: PRN45915B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: Monday – Friday
Department: 02404 - SVP Strategic Enrollment
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: $62,000-$98,000
Close Date: 10/01/2026
Open Until Filled:
To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/9763996"">https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/207177
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