Job Details

Senior Project Manager

Position Number: 6858787
Location: Seattle, WA
Position Type: Business and Financial Management

Senior Project Manager

Seattle University

Senior Project Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Months Per Year: 12

Hours Per Week: 37.5

Employment Status: Full-Time

Work Model: Hybrid Eligible*

Seattle University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. We embrace an intersectional framework for defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin and physical ability. Seattle University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who learn, live and work at Seattle University.

Seattle University's Core Competencies

Effective Team Collaboration: Works harmoniously with others towards a common goal, leveraging individual strengths to achieve shared objectives.

Emotionally Intelligent Communication: Engages in a skillful exchange of information, thoughts, and feelings, verbally and non-verbally.

Ethics and Integrity: Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to honesty, professionalism, and alignment with our Jesuit mission in all actions and decisions.

Flexibility and Innovation: Embraces change, approaching problems with curiosity adaptability, and is committed to making a positive impact.

Mindful Inclusion: Fosters mindful inclusion by consciously creating a workplace that celebrates differences, embraces cultural humility, and empowers uniqueness.

Outcomes-Driven Orientation: Sets clear objectives, pursues excellence, and delivers measurable outcomes while upholding Jesuit Catholic values.

Position Description

Seattle University is seeking a highly experienced, results-oriented Senior Project Manager to provide senior-level project and program leadership for complex, institution-wide initiatives. The Senior Project Manager currently serves as the Project Director for the university's Workday implementation, including both Workday Platform (HCM, Financials, etc.) and Workday Student systems, and provides overall leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for this transformational program.

This is a regular, long-term position designed to deliver value beyond any single initiative. While the Workday program represents a significant and immediate area of focus, the role is intended to provide sustained senior project leadership across future enterprise initiatives as institutional priorities evolve. Reporting to the Chief Information Officer, the Senior Project Manager partners closely with executive sponsors, functional leaders across campus, and external vendors to ensure projects are delivered successfully and in alignment with Seattle University's mission, strategic priorities, and operational needs.

The ideal candidate is an experienced project and program management leader with the judgment, credibility, and communication skills to guide large-scale initiatives, manage interdependent workstreams, and serve as a trusted advisor to institutional leadership.

Key Responsibilities
Program and Project Leadership (Workday Project Director)

Serve as the overall Project Director for Seattle University's Workday program, providing unified leadership across Workday Platform and Student implementations.
Participate in program governance structure, including steering committees, executive sponsorship, decision-making frameworks, and escalation paths.
Define, manage, and continuously refine program scope, goals, milestones, dependencies, and success criteria across all Workday domains.
Ensure alignment between institutional priorities, functional requirements, technical capabilities, and vendor-delivered solutions.
Provide strategic oversight to ensure consistent delivery approaches, standards, and user experiences across the Workday ecosystem.

Enterprise Project Portfolio Leadership

Contribute to the planning, prioritization, and sequencing of IT and institution-wide initiatives in partnership with the CIO and senior leadership.
Assess proposed projects for scope, complexity, risk, resource requirements, and alignment with institutional strategy.
Identify and manage cross-project dependencies to optimize delivery across the IT project portfolio.
Provide visibility into resource capacity, constraints, and tradeoffs affecting project delivery.
Support decision-making related to project intake, timing, and investment.

Project and Ongoing Planning

Develop and maintain integrated, multiyear plans covering implementation, stabilization, optimization, and future phases for major initiatives.
Partner with functional and technical leaders to assess organizational readiness, staffing needs, and change impacts.
Oversee development of resource plans, including internal staffing, consulting support, and vendor services.
Guide approaches to training, knowledge transfer, and long-term capability building.
Leverage vendor expertise, industry best practices, and peer institution networks to inform planning and execution.

Execution, Risk Management, and Quality Assurance

Direct day-to-day execution of assigned programs and projects, ensuring adherence to approved scope, timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
Monitor risks, issues, and interdependencies across multiple workstreams, proactively addressing challenges before they impact delivery.
Facilitate timely decisions related to scope tradeoffs, sequencing, and resource allocation.
Ensure appropriate testing rigor, data integrity, and readiness for deployment at key milestones.
Escalate significant risks or issues to executive leadership with clear analysis and recommended actions.

Stakeholder Engagement and Advisory Support

Serve as a trusted advisor to executive sponsors, deans, directors, and functional leaders.
Translate institutional strategy into executable project plans and roadmaps.
Develop and deliver clear, consistent communications regarding project status, risks, decisions, and upcoming milestones.
Facilitate stakeholder alignment across academic, administrative, and student-focused areas.
Lead presentations and updates for executive leadership, steering committees, and campus audiences.
Manage expectations and resolve conflicts through transparent communication and collaborative problem-solving.

Team Leadership and Project Management Practice Development

Provide leadership, direction, and mentorship to project managers, functional leads, and cross-functional team members.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable project culture.
Ensure clear roles, responsibilities, and effective handoffs across teams.
Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of project management standards, tools, and reporting practices within IT Services.
Support the professional development of project and program staff.

Post-Implementation Sustainability and Continuous Improvement

Lead transitions from implementation to steady-state operations, ensuring effective handoff to support and application teams.
Oversee post-go-live stabilization, continuous improvement initiatives, and major system enhancements.
Establish repeatable frameworks for managing future enterprise projects, upgrades, and optimizations.
Maintain program documentation, lessons learned, and governance practices to support long-term institutional capability.

Adherence to Best Practices and Institutional Values

Stay current with enterprise project management practices, higher education trends, and relevant technology platforms.
Promote change management, user adoption, and continuous improvement practices.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to Seattle University's mission, values, and focus on equity, inclusion, and service excellence.

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.

Qualifications

Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and the mission, vision, and values of Seattle University.
Bachelor's degree and seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in project and/or program management, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience leading large-scale, complex initiatives with multiple stakeholders.
Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams and competing priorities.
Exceptional organizational, communication, facilitation, and problem-solving skills.
Strong executive presence with the ability to influence, negotiate, and build consensus.
All positions at Seattle University require a criminal history background check.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience leading enterprise system implementations, including Workday Student and/or Workday Platform modules.
Experience in higher education or similarly complex, mission-driven organizations.
Project or program management certification (e.g., PMP, PgMP).
Formal training or experience in change management methodologies.
Experience managing vendor contracts and large consulting engagements.

Application Instructions

Please attach a cover letter with your resume when applying. Job postings are open until filled, unless otherwise specified.

Compensation at a Glance

Salary Range: $100,000 - $130,000

Seattle University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, and not based on a candidate's gender or any other protected status.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Seattle University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your total compensation package.

Benefits at a Glance

Consistent with its fundamental Jesuit values, Seattle University offers a wide range of benefits designed to care for the whole person. Choose from three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs. Protect your income with life, short & long-term disability coverage. Plan for your future with up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits, comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution and an additional dollar-for-dollar match of your voluntary contributions up to a maximum of 5%. You may also take advantage of 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, a wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility, and a wide variety of campus events. Enjoy a generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December, vacation and paid sick leave, and paid community service leave. For more information explore the Benefits website at: https://www.seattleu.edu/hr/benefits/

Hybrid Eligible

This position may be eligible for a hybrid schedule after successful completion of an introductory work period of 3-6 months. This may mean that a hybrid eligible role will begin on-campus initially and then will transition to hybrid format following onboarding and training. Flexible work plans are subject to periodic review and may be changed or terminated at any time for any reason at the university's discretion.

All employment offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

To apply, please visit: https://seattleu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/8/home/requisition/3023?c=seattleu