CE13006 - Project Director Flex Options - HigherEdJobs

JOB DETAILS:

WORKING TITLE: Project Director UWEX Flexible Degree Initiative
OFFICIAL TITLE: Senior Information Processing Consultant (ESR)
UNIT: Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learning
University of Wisconsin-Extension
5602 Research Park Blvd, Suite 300, Madison, WI
APPOINTMENT: Academic Staff 100% fixed term 1 2 year project
________________________________________

SUMMARY:

The University of Wisconsin Flexible Degree Option initiative will create new, more flexible degree formats for adult students. This new format is competency based (vs. course based); will be offered primarily online, and have a heavy emphasis on assessment and self-paced learning. Aimed at non-traditional, adult learners, Flex Degree Option students will have the ability to start and complete at any time (compared to the more traditionally semester-based formats).

This is an enterprise project involving multiple smaller project teams distributed across several institutions and external vendor partners.

The list of project stakeholders will include, but may not be limited to, senior university leaders in marketing, IT, business support, and student services, and managers and staff across these units, some of whom may be contracted. The project manager will be expected to apply professional project management methodologies while remaining flexible to the emerging needs of multiple stakeholders and institutions with unique and varying perspectives. This includes the management of scope, timelines, budget, communication plans, and scheduling. The project manager will be responsible for the deliverables of all team members, working with managers as necessary to ensure timeliness and quality.

The successful candidate will possess strong communication skills including the ability to present information to senior academic leaders and project sponsors; have demonstrated success in leading large, multi-year projects requiring coordination and input across numerous stakeholder groups; have demonstrated the ability to manage cross-functional projects (e.g. Marketing, IT, Student Services, Business Administration). Understanding of, and experience with, higher education cultures, operations, and accreditations. Especially useful will be an appreciation of the changing landscape of higher education.

This position reports to the Dean and is responsible for:

Project planning and management
- Develop, maintain, and implement project documentation including project charter, statement of work, timelines, communications plan, status reports and final report using appropriate project management tools
- Align and manage timelines across multiple functional groups to ensure dependencies across groups are clearly identified, scoped, and communicated and milestones and deliverables are met
- Develop risk management assessments and mitigation plans
- Prepare and review budget; conduct cost benefit analyses of projects and project activities and assure costs add value
- Monitor project tasks and direct project team members to ensure timely achievement of critical activities within requisite timeframes
- Ensure communication plans are comprehensive and information is routinely and broadly shared with stakeholders. Speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations matching message to audience needs; respond well to questions; demonstrate group presentation skills; participate in meetings; write clearly and informatively; uses a variety of writing styles to meet needs; able to present numerical data effectively
- Apply an understanding of, and experience with, higher education cultures, operations, and accreditations and an appreciation of the changing landscape of higher education in the management and outcome of the project
- Plan and organize; project manage; coordinate multiple project tasks (determine relative importance of each; prioritize and plan work activities; set appropriate deadlines to complete activities accordingly); effectively manage time and resources; set goals and objectives
- Use formal project management tools and processes
- Balance team and individual responsibilities; exhibit objectivity and openness to others' views; give and welcome feedback; contribute to building a positive team spirit; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; support every team member's effort to succeed; able to obtain resolution by team consensus when differences in business processes are discussed

Vendor management
- Oversee all project-related vendor activities
- Prepare Requests for Proposals, participate in vendor selection, and manage vendor contracts
- Ensure timely compliance of vendor services and deliverables
- Coordinate work and schedules between vendors and team members
- Ensure contracts are free from conflicts of interest

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelors degree in project management, information technology, business administration, or related area
Experience: Minimum of 6 years of formal project management experience
Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Project, excellent organizational and communication skills

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Masters degree in project management, information technology, business administration, or related area
Certification: PMP certification
Experience: 8-10 years of progressive project management experience and demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional projects

POSITION BENEFITS:

State of Wisconsin benefits, (http://www.uwsa.edu/hr/benefits/newemp/orientwrs.pdf), including retirement, vacation, sick leave, health insurance, and other insurances.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:

As an affirmative action employer, the participating campuses of the UW System provides equal opportunity in programs and employment; and is strongly committed to maintaining a climate supportive of and respectful of differences and equality of opportunity. UW-Extension does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, disability, sex/gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, religion, marital status, identity as a veteran, disabled veteran, Vietnam veteran or any other military service, arrest record or non-program related conviction record. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Materials will be made available in alternative format upon request. Please call 711 if you are hearing or speech impaired and need assistance. Direct inquiries concerning equal opportunity to: UW- Extension Office of Inclusion; Room 501; 432 N. Lake Street; Madison, WI 53706.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND DEADLINE:

1. Application due date: To receive full consideration, application materials must be received by December 19, 2012 and include all of the following (WHEN UPLOADING DOCUMENTS, PDF FORMAT IS PREFERRED):

a. COVER LETTER (up to two pages) A letter of interest addressing your qualifications and experience as they relate to the qualifications and responsibilities of the position. Please note that your response will be evaluated for content and written communication skills.

b. PROFESSIONAL RESUME, including related education, professional work history and volunteer experience.

c. CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THREE (3) PROFESSIONAL WORK REFERENCES, for each reference, please indicate the nature of your professional relationship and include the persons title, e-mail address and telephone number.

Please upload only the materials requested above. Any documents, other than those requested, will be deleted from your application. Applications received after the application due date will be accepted through the conclusion of the initial application screening process.

2. Optional Confidentiality Form: Under Wisconsin Statutes, if asked, UW-Extension is required to provide a list of all nominees and applicants who have not requested in writing that their identities remain confidential. The identities of all finalists must be released upon request. Please upload this document along with your other materials. The form can be accessed by copying and pasting the following URL into your browser: http://www.uwex.edu/jobs/documents/notice.pdf

3. Please submit application materials to UW- Extension, Continuing Education, Outreach & E-Learning Human Resources online using the URLs below. Once you are in the Candidate Gateway, please make sure to click on the Advanced Search link and enter 8735 into the Job Opening ID field.

a. Before you get started with the online application process, we recommend you preview the frequently asked questions (FAQs). To do so, please copy and paste the following URL into your browser. External applicants can also view the FAQs after accessing the online system by clicking on the "Help" link in the upper right corner. https://helpdesk.wisc.edu/images/group61/21900/TAMFAQ_CandidateGateway.pdf

b. If you are applying as an applicant who is NOT currently employed by the University of Wisconsin System, please copy and paste the following URL into your browser: https://www.careers.wisconsin.edu/psc/careers/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?SiteId=31

c. If you are applying as a current employee of the University of Wisconsin System, please copy and paste the following URL into your browser: https://www.hrs.wisconsin.edu/psc/hrs-fd/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_EMP.HRS_CE.GBL?Page=HRS_CE_HM_POST&Action=U&HRS_PERSON_ID=100374

An EEO/Affirmative Action employer, the University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA requirements. Persons of color, women and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Source: http://www.higheredjobs.com/details.cfm?JobCode=175696193

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