Project Manager IV | People and Talent

Job Description

The Project Manager IV in People & Talent is a senior portfolio team member responsible for driving complex, cross-functional projects that align with organizational strategy and departmental priorities. This role will oversee projects from ideation to completion, ensuring the use of best practices, effective risk management, and achievement of key milestones. Leveraging a deep understanding of technology, processes, requirements, and data analysis, the Project Manager IV ensures that projects employ the most effective methods and tools, proactively communicates constraints and opportunities, and provides strategic recommendations to enhance project outcomes and customer satisfaction. The Project Manager IV will also lead retrospective reviews to capture lessons learned and stakeholder feedback to inform continuous quality improvement at the portfolio level.

In addition to project execution, the Project Manager IV plays a critical supporting role in developing project management talent and fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation. This individual mentors project managers and P&T associates on best practices, champions change management initiatives and drives process enhancements using a systems-thinking approach. With strong problem-solving, interpersonal, and adaptability skills, the Project Manager IV ensures reliable delivery, cultivates stakeholder trust, and advances organizational goals through strategic leadership and continuous improvement.

Primary Responsibilities

• Leads all phases of complex, cross-functional projects to ensure alignment with departmental strategy and organizational priorities, from concept/vision through successful completion.
• Develops and executes comprehensive project plans and schedules, leveraging data analysis and organizational insights to optimize resource allocation, manage risks, and achieve key milestones.
• Maintains effective communication and coordination among project teams and stakeholders, providing timely updates on project status, risks, and critical issues that may impact outcomes.
• Champions a collaborative, student-centered culture by partnering with internal and external stakeholders to drive innovation and continuous improvement.
• Provides strategic leadership, mentorship, and professional development to project managers and other associates, fostering a high-performing and accountable team.
• Ensures accurate project documentation, reporting, and record-keeping to support transparency, informed decision-making, and organizational learning.
• Influences and guides team actions in alignment with departmental priorities and proactively identifies process enhancements to advance organizational goals.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge

• Deep understanding of project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, Lean, Six Sigma) and change management frameworks (e.g., ProSci).
• Advanced knowledge of data analysis, requirements gathering, reporting tools, and performance metrics to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Familiarity with higher education operations, and/or human resources management
• Knowledge of systems thinking and process optimization principles.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and the ability to develop technical and business requirements from visionary concepts and align project outcomes with organizational goals.
• Advanced stakeholder management and negotiation skills, including the ability to build consensus and manage conflict.
• Expertise in conducting project retrospectives and translating lessons learned into actionable recommendations.
• High proficiency in project management software (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, Asana, Jira) and collaboration tools.
• Strong analytical skills for evaluating complex data, distilling high-level ideas into actionable tasks and milestones, identifying trends, and making evidence-based recommendations.

Abilities

• Ability to lead high-performing, cross-functional teams in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to manage multiple, large-scale projects simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to adapt to ambiguity and rapidly changing priorities, demonstrating curiosity, resilience, and flexibility.
• Ability to drive process improvements and foster a culture of innovation and accountability.
• Ability to communicate complex technical and strategic concepts to diverse audiences, including executive leadership.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion with sensitive information.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree
• 7+ years of related experience
• Project Management certification (PMP or equivalent).

Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.

Preferred Qualifications

• Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification.
• Lean Silver or Gold certification.
• Professional experience in a role that required extensive change management.
• Excellent understanding of Change Management theory/techniques, and implementation.
• Management skills in a large and distributed organization (5000+ employees).
• Professional experience in strategic planning and risk management.
• Professional experience in product management or product development.

Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.