Senior Project Manager, Central Advancement

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Job Title:Senior Project Manager, Central Advancement

Department:External Affairs | Advancement | Strategy and Operations | Marketing Communications

Position Overview

The Senior Project Manager leads the planning, management, governance, and execution of complex cross-functional projects supporting strategic marketing and communications initiatives. Responsible for project lifecycle management including project initiation, scope definition, work planning, risk management, stakeholder engagement, project controls, status reporting, and project closeout within The Ohio State University Advancement Marketing and Communications (AMC) department.

This role drives operational excellence by managing project intake, workflow execution, timelines, resource planning, issue and risk tracking, stakeholder alignment, review and approval processes, and reporting to ensure deliverables meet established expectations for quality, schedule, scope, and operational feasibility. The Senior Project Manager serves as the primary project management liaison for AMC Central Advancement partners and initiatives, including major and principal gift proposals, stewardship initiatives, signature events, internal communications, and other high-visibility projects requiring coordination across multiple contributors and approval paths. The role also provides project management support to AMC leadership for campaign-related planning and execution by coordinating project requirements, timelines, dependencies, deliverables, and stakeholder review needs.

The Senior Project Manager utilizes and administers Workfront and related project management tools to support project governance, planning, tracking, reporting, and resource coordination that promote consistency, transparency, and accountability across AMC projects. Reporting to the Associate Director of Marketing Operations, the Senior Project Manager independently manages established project workflows, facilitates project requests, aligns tasks and dependencies, coordinates resources and logistics, monitors timelines and deliverables, and escalates significant risks, resource conflicts, or scope concerns for leadership guidance. Responsibilities include coordinating quality assurance checkpoints, stakeholder review and approval processes, and final asset routing to support completion of projects on scope, on schedule, and aligned with operational expectations.

The Senior Project Manager uses Workfront reporting, Content Activity Dashboard (CAD) insights, project dashboards, KPIs, and debrief findings to monitor project status, identify trends or constraints, recommend course corrections, and support leadership visibility into project execution. The Senior Project Manager shares responsibility for AMC's governed digital asset environment within Aprimo by supporting consistent project-related asset organization, routing, and access practices.

The role requires the ability to manage multiple concurrent assignments, set priorities, meet deadlines, resolve project barriers, communicate effectively with contributors and leaders, and build consensus among stakeholders with competing needs or timelines. They must possess exceptional verbal, written, analytical, and organizational skills, along with meticulous attention to detail. The position requires a collaborative, responsive, proactive approach and the ability to adapt to changing needs, manage pressure, and coordinate work effectively in a fast-paced environment. The Senior Project Manager must exhibit the behaviors associated with the Office of Advancement's core competencies: Leadership, Continuous Improvement, Teamwork and Collaboration, and Communication/Interpersonal Effectiveness.

All members of External Affairs are part of creating a culture that inspires an exceptionally multifaceted and talented team and are expected to exhibit The Ohio State University's Shared Values. The Office of External Affairs is committed to acting with kindness, respect, and integrity at all times and welcoming our colleagues' ideas, voices, and perspectives, acknowledging that we are better together.

Department Overview

Within the Office of Advancement, AMC is responsible for inspiring philanthropy through a variety of channels to primary constituent audiences that include donors, prospects, grateful patients, faculty and staff, and alumni. The team consists of writers, digital marketers, strategists, videographers and graphic designers who collaborate with partners and each other to generate content. AMC's guiding principles include content strategy and storytelling, data-informed decisions, omnichannel campaigns and creative excellence.

Duties and Responsibilities

70% - Maintain and optimize Workfront as AMC's project management system of record by supporting project intake, workflow execution, project visibility, resource planning, reporting, and process consistency across department projects. Provide project oversight from intake through completion by clarifying project scope, deliverables, timelines, dependencies, task ownership, review requirements, and closeout expectations. Establish and maintain project timelines, coordinate task assignments and dependencies, identify, document, and escalate risks, resource conflicts, scope changes, and issues that may affect quality, schedule, or deliverables. Communicate with internal stakeholders and project contributors to confirm requirements, facilitate alignment, resolve routine project barriers, and ensure work is completed through established AMC operational processes and project procedures. Support resource allocation and workload planning by monitoring project demand, timeline conflicts, contributor capacity, and competing priorities, recommend practical course corrections or escalations as needed. Coordinate vendor, freelance, or agency project support by clarifying requirements, deliverables, timelines, estimates, approvals, and milestones, escalate cost, scope, or schedule concerns as appropriate. Proactively identify project risks and support mitigation strategies that maintain timelines, quality standards, stakeholder confidence, and operational feasibility. Coordinate quality assurance checkpoints, stakeholder reviews, approval workflows, and final routing of marketing and communications deliverables. Prepare and communicate project status updates, issue summaries, risk assessments, and recommended resolutions for AMC leaders, including the AVP of Marketing and Communications, Associate Director of Marketing Operations, Associate Director of Creative, and other stakeholders. Lead project debriefs using Workfront data, the Content Activity Dashboard, KPIs, and stakeholder feedback to identify lessons learned, operational improvements, and opportunities to improve future project performance. Coordinate multiple concurrent, cross-functional projects with significant stakeholder visibility, competing timelines, and dependencies across AMC teams, Central Advancement partners, vendors, and leadership review processes. Influence project participants and task owners through structured workflows, project plans, reporting, and stakeholder communication to maintain alignment and progress without direct supervisory authority. Applies established project management methodologies, standards, tools, and governance practices to support successful project delivery.

25% - Improve project delivery by refining project planning, risk management, issue management, stakeholder communication, governance, and project closeout practices. Support consistent project-related asset organization, routing, and access practices within Aprimo, AMC's governed digital asset environment. Partner with AMC marketing strategists and operational partners to track, interpret, and report project-related KPIs, CAD insights, and workflow metrics that support project visibility and operational decision-making. Develop and maintain predefined Workfront reports and dashboards that provide leadership and stakeholders with project status, workload, timeline, risk, and performance information. Identify recurring workflow challenges, reporting gaps, approval bottlenecks, and process inconsistencies, recommend practical improvements within established AMC operating practices. Maintain project documentation, status records, debrief findings, and reporting artifacts to support transparency, accountability, and continuity across AMC projects.

5% - Complete special projects and other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, operations, communications, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Four (4) years of relevant experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, Adobe suite
• Significant experience utilizing marketing operations software, such as Workfront, or a similar tool such as Asana or Trello
• Experience with and the ability to demonstrate exceptional strategic planning, structured thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with a commensurate sense of urgency to drive results.

Desired Qualifications

We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage you to apply even if your experience does not align perfectly

• Master's degree in business, marketing, operations, communications, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Preferred 6 years of experience in a marketing, communications position or role with similar responsibilities
• Experience leading marketing or communications projects in a complex organization
• Experience developing project dashboards, reporting, and performance metrics
• Project management certification (PMP, CAPM, Agile, or equivalent)

The Office of External Affairs is committed to providing tools and resources for you to learn our business, proprietary databases, university-specific processes, and advancement practices.

You Need to Know

Aside from the unparalleled benefits of working for The Ohio State University and working in the vibrant, smart, enjoyable, and growing city of Columbus, Ohio, this opportunity will provide exceptional rewards that arise from working for an institution doing worldwide life-changing teaching and research. Learn more here: Careers at Ohio State.

In accordance with the Disaster Preparedness and University State of Emergency Policy 6.17 this position has been designated as a standby position.

Additional Information:

To learn more about the Office of External Affairs, please visit Advancement Careers.

The budget for this position is up to $85,000.00. The offer for this position will be based on internal equity and the candidate's qualifications.

Function: Business Planning and Operations

Sub-function: Project Management

Career Band: Individual Contributor - Specialized

Career Level: S3 Senior

Location: University Square North (1031)

Position Type: Regular

Scheduled Hours: 40

Shift: First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

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The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

Organization

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• WORK-LIFE: Flexible and remote work arrangements where applicable, child care program, and access to educational, athletic and cultural events.
• RETIREMENT: State pension and alternative options with competitive employer contributions, as well as optional supplemental plans.
• HEALTH: Medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage, life insurance, flexible spending accounts and wellness programming.
• TIME OFF: Paid vacation and sick time, parental and medical leave plus 11 paid holidays. Short and long-term disability options also available.
• FINANCIAL: Tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, adoption assistance, and discounts with preferred vendors and university partners.
• WELLNESS: Lifestyle spending account, employee assistance program, health reimbursement account, and employee wellness program.