Details
Open Date
08/13/2026
Requisition Number
PRN45915B
Job Title
Operations Project Managers
Working Title
Operations Project Manager, SESS
Career Progression Track
P00
Track Level
P3 - Career, P2 - Developing
FLSA Code
Administrative
Patient Sensitive Job Code?
No
Standard Hours per Week
40
Full Time or Part Time?
Full Time
Shift
Day
Work Schedule Summary
Monday – Friday
VP Area
Academic Affairs
Department
02404 - SVP Strategic Enrollment
Location
Campus
City
Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment
External Posting
Pay Rate Range
$62,000-$98,000
Close Date
10/01/2026
Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)
08/20/2026
Job Summary
The Strategic Enrollment and Student Success ( SESS) Operations Project Manager supports the Senior Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment and Student Success by leading and coordinating strategic initiatives that advance institutional goals related to enrollment, student engagement, retention, persistence, and student success. This position partners with academic and administrative leaders across the University to manage projects from planning through implementation, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and successful execution of key initiatives.
This position provides project leadership, coordination, communication, and operational support for complex, cross-functional projects involving multiple stakeholders. Responsibilities include project planning, stakeholder engagement, data collection and analysis, process improvement, change management support, communication planning, and implementation oversight. The SESS Operations Project Manager serves as a liaison among colleges, departments, and administrative units to facilitate collaboration and drive project outcomes.
This position offers the opportunity to work closely with senior leadership on initiatives that directly impact the student experience and support the University’s strategic goals.
This position may be filled at the Operations Project Manager II or III level, based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.
The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.
Responsibilities
Strategic Project Management
- Leads and coordinates projects supporting strategic enrollment, student success, retention, persistence, and engagement priorities.
- Develops and maintains project plans, timelines, milestones, communication plans, and implementation strategies.
- Monitors project progress and ensures deliverables are completed on schedule and in alignment with project objectives.
- Identifies project risks, barriers, and dependencies and recommends solutions to maintain project momentum.
- Provides regular project updates, status reports, and recommendations to leadership.
Student Success and Enrollment Initiatives
- Supports initiatives designed to improve the student experience and advance institutional enrollment and student success goals.
- Assists with the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs, services, and operational improvements affecting students.
- Coordinates projects involving student engagement, communications, outreach, and support services.
- Supports cross-divisional efforts to improve student access, belonging, persistence, retention, and academic success.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
- Facilitates collaboration among Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, Undergraduate Studies, Student Affairs, colleges, departments, and administrative units.
- Coordinates meetings, working groups, task forces, and stakeholder discussions.
- Develops communication strategies that support project goals and ensure stakeholder alignment.
- Builds productive relationships with campus partners and serves as a primary liaison for assigned initiatives.
Student Systems, Technology, and Process Improvement
- Supports projects involving student-facing technology platforms, information systems, and digital engagement tools.
- Assists with evaluating business processes and identifying opportunities to improve service delivery and operational effectiveness.
- Coordinates efforts related to communication workflows, governance structures, and service enhancements.
- Supports implementation of technology solutions that contribute to student success outcomes.
Data Analysis and Reporting
- Collects, analyzes, and interprets data to support project planning and decision-making.
- Develops reports, presentations, and project documentation for leadership and stakeholders.
- Tracks project outcomes and key performance indicators.
- Assists with identifying trends, opportunities, and areas for continuous improvement.
Examples of Potential Projects
Projects may include:
- Student communication strategy, governance, and optimization initiatives.
- Student engagement and retention improvement efforts.
- Enrollment strategy and recruitment support initiatives.
- Student information systems and technology enhancement projects.
- Artificial intelligence initiatives supporting student success and operational effectiveness.
- Cross-divisional communication alignment and process improvement efforts.
- Survey strategy and assessment projects designed to improve institutional effectiveness and reduce student survey fatigue.
- Strategic initiatives that enhance the student experience and advance institutional priorities.
Minimum Qualifications
EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).
Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:
Operations Project Manager, II: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.
Operations Project Manager, III Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.
Preferences
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of project management principles, methodologies, and best practices.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously.
- Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to facilitate meetings and work effectively with diverse stakeholder groups.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
- Ability to gather, analyze, and present information to support decision-making.
- Ability to develop collaborative relationships across a complex organization.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently while managing multiple deadlines.
- Proficiency with project management, collaboration, and data reporting tools.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in higher education, enrollment management, student affairs, academic administration, or a similarly complex environment.
- Experience leading cross-functional projects involving multiple stakeholder groups.
- Experience supporting strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, process improvement, or change management initiatives.
- Experience with student success, enrollment, retention, or student engagement initiatives.
- Experience gathering, analyzing, and presenting data to support organizational decision-making.
- Project Management Professional ( PMP) certification or comparable project management training.
- Master’s degree in Higher Education, Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
Type
Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior
URS service, may elect to enroll in
URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from
URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34
CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (
OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the:
University of Utah Non‑Discrimination pageOnline reports may be submitted at
https://oeo.utah.edu
https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
As per
University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.
