"Project Manager"

Job Description

Project Manager
University of Puget Sound
Job ID: 8488

Staff Posting Details

Appointment: Regular, full-time (1.0 FTE) position.

Work Location:
This position is based in Tacoma, WA. This is an on-campus role only.

Please note that we generally do not sponsor applicants for work visas for staff positions. Therefore, we generally require applicants for staff positions to be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Position Summary:

As part of the Academic Affairs division of the University of Puget Sound, the Project Manager for Academic Affairs reports to the Associate Provost for Graduate Affairs and works collaboratively with university leadership, faculty, and staff to support the organization, planning, and execution of major academic initiatives and projects. The Project Manager ensures that Academic Affairs projects align with institutional goals, are completed on schedule, and deliver desired outcomes. The Project Manager will play a pivotal role in coordinating cross-functional teams, enhancing project management methodologies, and supporting data-driven decision-making processes within the division.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage projects within the Academic Affairs division, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, resource availability, and strategic goals.
• Develop and implement standardized project management methodologies and best practices to ensure efficiency, consistency, and accountability across projects.
• Collaborate with faculty, department chairs, deans, and administrative staff to scope projects, define objectives, and establish project timelines and deliverables.
• Monitor project progress, manage risks, and adjust project plans as needed to ensure successful execution.
• Develop and maintain project documentation, including project charters, work plans, risk assessments, and post-project evaluations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for academic initiatives that require cross-departmental coordination, ensuring transparency and clear communication among stakeholders.
• Facilitate effective meetings, workshops, and work sessions to drive decision-making and problem-solving.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements within Academic Affairs operations and develop recommendations for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness.
• Utilize project management software tools to track and report project progress, facilitating data-informed decision-making.
• Coordinate with institutional research to ensure that academic projects support institutional learning outcomes and accreditation requirements.
• Assist in the development of budget proposals and resource allocation plans to support project implementation.
• Provide training and mentorship to faculty and staff on project management best practices and tools.
• Serve as a liaison between Academic Affairs and other administrative divisions to ensure seamless collaboration on university-wide initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• May supervise project teams or student assistants, depending on project scope and institutional needs.

Budget Responsibilities

• Will contribute to the planning and execution of budgets for Academic Affairs projects, in coordination with the Academic Deans and other university leadership.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and experience; an advanced degree is preferred.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent preferred.
• Two to three years of project management experience, preferably in a higher education or academic setting.
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and tight deadlines.
• Strong leadership, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
• Experience in process improvement methodologies and change management strategies.
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana, Trello, TeamDynamix) and data visualization tools.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills (both oral and written), with the ability to effectively convey technical and complex information to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully in a diverse academic community.
• Knowledge of academic policies, governance structures, and the unique challenges of higher education institutions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a strategic mindset.
• Experience in budget planning and resource allocation within a project management framework.
• Ability to respectfully work, communicate and provide leadership within a diverse campus community

Compensation and Benefits:

It is anticipated that the successful candidate will be hired between $32.20 - $34.55 per hour. The rate for an experienced employee in this role may go up to $36.06 per hour, and the starting salary will be based on experience level. Decisions about starting salaries are made based on the extent and relatedness of the candidate's education and experience and on internal equity and market considerations.

Puget Sound offers a generous benefits package for eligible staff employees, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement plan options and 403(b) contributions
• Paid vacation, sick leave, floating holiday, campus holidays and bonus holidays
• Education benefits, such as full tuition for eligible employees and their families
• Access to university facilities and entertainment (fitness center, pool, library, concerts, lectures and more!)

Please note:

• Positions that work less than .75 FTE (1,560 hours per year) do not qualify for long-term disability or education benefits.
• Positions that work less than .50 FTE (1,040 hours per year) will accrue paid sick leave but are not eligible for additional benefits.
• Temporary positions that work at least .50 FTE (1,040 hours per year) will be eligible for benefits.

This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

For more information on Puget Sound's non-exempt staff benefits package, visit: Summary of 2025 Benefits for Staff Members in Non-Exempt Positions.pdf

For the Campus Holiday and Bonus Day Schedule, visit: https://www.pugetsound.edu/human-resources

Application Deadline:

Review of applications will begin immediately. Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient number of qualified candidates have been identified.

Required Documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

Applications submitted without the required attachments will not be considered.

All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of all required background checks.

University Diversity Statement

We Acknowledge:

• The richness of commonalities and differences we share as a university community.
• The intrinsic worth of all who work and study here.
• The investigation and reflection enhance that education upon multiple perspectives.

We Aspire:

• To create respect for and appreciation of all persons as a key characteristic of our campus community.
• To increase the diversity of all parts of our university community through a commitment to diversity in our recruitment and retention efforts.
• To foster a spirit of openness to active engagement among all members of our campus community.

We Act:

• To achieve an environment that welcomes and supports diversity.
• To ensure full educational opportunity for all who teach and learn here.
• To prepare citizen-leaders effectively for a pluralistic world.

Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. To learn more please visit: https://pugetsound.edu/about-puget-sound-0/mission-core-values/institutional-equity-diversity

The University of Puget Sound is an equal opportunity employer.

How to Apply

For complete job description and application instructions, visit: www.pugetsound.edu/employment

About Puget Sound

Puget Sound is a selective national liberal arts college in Tacoma, Washington, drawing 2,600 students from 48 states and 20 countries. Puget Sound graduates include Rhodes and Fulbright scholars, notables in the arts and culture, entrepreneurs and elected officials, and leaders in business and finance locally and throughout the world. A low student-faculty ratio provides Puget Sound students with personal attention from faculty who have a strong commitment to teaching and offer 1,200 courses each year in more than 40 traditional and interdisciplinary fields, including graduate programs in occupational and physical therapy and in education. Puget Sound is the only nationally ranked independent undergraduate liberal arts college in Western Washington, and one of just five independent colleges in the Pacific Northwest granted a charter by Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious academic honorary society. Visit "About Puget Sound" (http://www.pugetsound.edu/about) to learn more about the college.

As a strategic goal and through our core values, University of Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. EOE/AA