Seattle University · 2 hours ago
Senior Project Manager
USA
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level
$100K/yr - $130K/yr
7+ years expSeattle 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 role focuses on leading the university's Workday implementation and ensuring alignment with institutional priorities while providing sustained leadership for future enterprise initiatives.
EducationTrainingTutoring
Responsibilities
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Qualification
Required
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
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
Benefits
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.
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.
Company
Seattle University
Seattle University, commonly referred to as Seattle U, is a Jesuit Catholic university located in Seattle, WA
501-1000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Seattle University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (11)
2024 (12)
2023 (12)
2022 (7)
2021 (12)
2020 (10)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$1.5MKey Investors
National Science Foundation
2022-10-05Grant· $1.5M
2022-03-02Grant
Leadership Team
Chris Liew
Vice President for Strategic Initiatives
Eduardo Peñalve
President
Recent News
2025-10-16
2025-09-01
Company data provided by crunchbase