"Senior Project Manager - Information Technology"

Senior Project Manager - Information Technology

Working Title: Senior Project Manager - Information Technology

State Role Title: Information Technology Specialist III

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Information Technology

Department: 100786 - IT Strategic Initiatives

Pay Band: 6

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $94,000-$98,000

Beginning Review Date: 03/17/2026

About JMU:

At James Madison University (JMU), we're more than just a publicly funded institution - we're a vibrant, welcoming community nestled on a stunning campus where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive. Our mission is to prepare students for a bright future, and we believe that starts with supporting the people who make it all possible: our employees.

Why Work at JMU?
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional journey and personal wellbeing:

• Generous Leave: Enjoy paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, community service leave, and 19 paid holidays annually.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access high-quality health insurance options that fit your needs.
• Retirement Options: Plan for your future with retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System.
• Employee Well-Being: Our Balanced Dukes program promotes wellness and work-life integration through resources, events, and support.
• Tuition Waiver Program: Advance your education with our tuition waiver program for undergraduate and graduate courses taken at JMU.

At JMU, we believe in Being the Change - and that starts with creating an environment where you can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel supported every step of the way.

Discover what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

General Information:

The Senior Project Manager leads complex, mission-critical technology initiatives from initiation through closure. This role blends senior-level project management with key business analysis responsibilities, partnering closely with business stakeholders, IT teams, SaaS vendors, and implementation partners to ensure solutions are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with organizational priorities.

While the position is hybrid eligible, it will require a period of prolonged in office onboarding and continued in person project based meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Project Planning, Oversight, and Vendor Management

• Lead project planning activities, including scope, schedule, resources, dependencies, and risk management
• Coordinate work across internal teams, SaaS vendors, and third-party implementation partners
• Monitor vendor performance against contracts, statements of work, and project milestones
• Manage scope changes using established governance and contract management processes
• Apply negotiation and influence to manage vendor and stakeholder expectations

Project Monitoring and Control

• Track and report project status, risks, issues, milestones, and dependencies
• Monitor schedules, budgets, and vendor activities for alignment with approved scope and requirements
• Identify risks and issues early and recommend corrective actions
• Escalate complex or high-impact issues appropriately
• Ensure implemented solutions align with approved requirements and vendor deliverables

Stakeholder and Vendor Communication

• Communicate project progress, risks, and outcomes clearly to sponsors, stakeholders, and vendors
• Facilitate effective communication forums with internal teams and external partners
• Represent business priorities and the "voice of the customer" to technical teams and vendors
• Build trust through transparency, consistency, and follow-through
• Adjust communication style to audience needs and project complexity

Project Initiation and Closure

• Support development of project charters, scope documentation, and high-level plans
• Contribute to contract-related inputs aligned with project objectives and requirements
• Lead or facilitate post-implementation reviews to evaluate outcomes and solution quality
• Assess vendor performance during project closure
• Document lessons learned and support transition to operational support

Requirements Gathering and Analysis

• Elicit, document, validate, and prioritize business requirements
• Use techniques such as workshops, interviews, and user stories
• Partner with stakeholders to confirm understanding of business needs
• Communicate requirements clearly to technical teams and vendors

Solution Validation and Testing

• Plan and support system, integration, and user acceptance testing
• Develop test scenarios and document testing results
• Coordinate testing activities with business users, technical teams, and vendors
• Ensure delivered solutions meet documented requirements

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience leading complex IT or business systems projects from initiation through closure
• Strong knowledge of project management principles, tools, and governance practices
• Experience coordinating work across internal teams and external vendors
• Proven ability to manage scope, schedule, risks, and stakeholder expectations
• Strong communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills

Additional Considerations:

• Experience performing business analysis activities, including requirements elicitation and validation
• Experience working with SaaS solutions and third-party implementation partners
• Experience supporting system testing and user acceptance testing
• Familiarity with organizational governance and contract management processes