Job description
The Project Manager is responsible for managing various medium-large scale marketing projects (may include communication, digital, print and event projects) and ensuring that all projects are aligned with SEI’s strategic priorities as well as its brand and communication strategy.The Project Manager will work with various functional areas to define objectives, assess project requirements, define timelines, coordinate schedules, communicate project updates, and engage appropriate teams (both internal and external resources) to ensure that goals are accomplished on time and in line with business objectives, quality, and integrity parameters.
The Project Manager works with a wide variety of audiences across SEI/Capella University/Strayer University, including but not limited to Marketing, Portfolio Strategy, Learner Service Operations, Enrollment Services and Advising, Faculty, Employer Solutions, IT and Analytics.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
• Work with business sponsors/stakeholders to determine project goals/requirements, scope, project timeline, budget, procedures, and staffing/resource requirements needed to accomplish approved project.
• Schedule and facilitate project kickoff meetings.
• Create and maintain project timelines and plans specifying goals, strategy, and staffing, scheduling, identification of risks, and contingency plans.
• Manage the day-to-day details of the project including the timeline, resources, task assignments, scope, budget, issues and risks. Track progress and monitor all development activities.
• Own and drive the overall project, from initial kickoff through the execution and testing of final deliverables, not just facilitating, or coordinating deliverables.
• Ensure solution design and delivery fits with agreed upon guidelines including functional, technical, performance, security, scalability, process, and total cost of ownership.
• Lead the effort in creative approaches to problem solving and quality deliverables supporting business needs.
• Interface with vendors and project team to verify that there is a clear understanding of project outcomes and timelines.
• Facilitate project meetings. Brief the project team on status reporting, problem resolution, feedback, and input from the team on project planning and execution. • Adhere to project methodology including proper documentation as well as the original plan, any working papers, status reports, meeting minutes, issue logs and any other documentation related to the management and administration of the project.
• Understand digital best practices and how to apply this knowledge to various types of projects.
Job Skills:
• Ability to establish and maintain strong relationships with internal and external customers.
• Detail-oriented and able to effectively multi-task.
• Self-starter, comfortable working in an autonomous environment.
• Able to champion new initiatives and understands company vision/strategic objectives.
• Excellent at prioritizing tasks, organizing information and managing projects to time and budget goals.
• Highly skilled in and significant experience with Project Software/tools (SharePoint, MS Project, Workfront, etc.) to track and manage tasks, resources and project costs.
• Understands when to engage senior management to reconcile unexpected project issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Conveys information clearly and effectively through both formal and informal documents, presentations and dialogues.
• Skilled at dealing with complex business issues in which multiple challenges may exist.
• Demonstrated ability to think both strategically and tactically.
• Takes a leadership role for PM process improvements.
Able to mentor Associate Project Managers successfully.
Work Experience:
• Minimum of 3 years of direct project management experience, preferably in a fast-paced work environment.
• Industry experience in higher education a very significant plus.
• Experience in formal project delivery methodologies preferred.
• Familiarity with working on a geographically distributed/hybrid team.
Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.