Project Portfolio Manager

Western Governors University - Salt Lake City, UT

Full-time - Mid Level

Salt Lake City, UT

Educational Services

About the position

The Project Portfolio Manager at Western Governors University (WGU) plays a crucial role in overseeing and managing projects from inception to completion within their assigned department. This position is integral to ensuring that best practices are utilized across the functional team, and it involves mentoring and developing project managers and associate project managers. The Project Portfolio Manager is responsible for monitoring and reporting on project status, which includes identifying risks, issues that may affect project schedules, and tracking milestone achievements. This role requires a deep understanding of departmental strategies and priorities, as the individual will need to influence the work of project team members to align with these priorities. In this position, the Project Portfolio Manager will collaborate with various professionals both within and outside the university to foster a positive, student-focused atmosphere. Effective communication and coordination within the project team are essential, as the manager will oversee all phases of assigned projects, including initiating, planning, executing, monitoring/controlling, and closing. Keeping stakeholders and departmental leadership informed about project statuses is a key responsibility, which includes providing updates on milestone achievements, toll gate progress, and any risks or issues that may arise. The Project Portfolio Manager will also be tasked with maintaining accurate project management records and systems, producing timely reports, and developing realistic project plans and schedules. This involves analyzing organizational process assets, task dependencies, resource requirements, and departmental strategies. Additionally, the manager will document project deliverables and key decisions made throughout the project lifecycle. Leadership, mentorship, and training support for project teams are also critical components of this role, ensuring that team members are equipped to succeed in their projects.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with other professionals both inside and outside of the university to promote a positive, student-obsessed atmosphere.
• Responsible for maintaining effective communication and coordination within project team.
• Manages all phases of assigned projects (i.e., initiating, planning, executing, monitoring/controlling, and closing).
• Keeps stakeholders and departmental leadership informed of project statuses, including milestone achievements, toll gate progress, risks, and any issues that may adversely affect project schedules.
• Keeps project management records and systems accurate and up to date.
• Produces timely and accurate reports as directed.
• Develops realistic project plans and schedules by analyzing organizational process assets, enterprise environmental factors, task dependencies, resource requirements, work breakdown, and departmental strategy and priorities.
• Documents project deliverables, outputs, and notes that capture why key project decisions were made.
• Understands departmental strategic priorities and influences the actions and work efforts of team members in line with those priorities.
• Provides leadership, mentorship, and training support to teams, project managers and associate project managers.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Excellent leadership and project management skills.
• Works well in a team environment.
• Ability to influence change and motivate others.
• Strong oral and written communications abilities.
• Solid technical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to plan and meet schedules.
• Ability to use all related computer equipment and applications.
• Understanding of Business Process Architecture Mapping.