Project Manager Organizational Excellence

Project Manager Organizational Excellence

The Project Manager in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness will be instrumental in advancing the university's organizational excellence through robust project management and process optimization. This role focuses on managing strategic projects that align with institutional goals, including but not limited to new regulations and business process changes. In addition, this individual will ensure the accuracy and efficiency of the university's data and processes. The Project and Organizational Excellence Manager will collaborate across departments to drive improvements, streamline business processes, and ensure data integrity within institutional systems.

Description of Primary Duties: The Project Manager Organizational Excellence serves as a central driver of high-impact, cross-functional initiatives that advance Missouri State University's strategic priorities and institutional effectiveness. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, this role leads complex projects spanning academic and administrative units, translating institutional goals, regulatory requirements, and emerging needs into actionable plans and measurable outcomes. This position provides project management and technical support for institutional strategic planning and implementation efforts. The Project Manager, in collaboration with stakeholders, develops and executes project plans, anticipates risks and dependencies, and proactively addresses challenges to maintain momentum and achieve results. This role supports organizational excellence by assisting in the evaluation and improvement of business processes and systems, helping develop scalable workflows and promoting accurate, usable, and well-governed institutional data. It emphasizes clear documentation, communication, and stakeholder support to facilitate successful adoption of new processes and initiatives. Working closely with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Institutional Research, Assessment & Accreditation, and partners across the university, the Project Manager facilitates collaboration, aligns diverse perspectives, and provides recommendations. Ultimately, this role supports institutional effectiveness by developing and coordinating efficient, data-informed processes that enable continuous improvement across the university, while informing and facilitating decision-making rather than directing it.

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications: Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field. Master's degree in Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field preferred. An equivalent combination of years of experience and education may be considered for substitution of educational requirements. Experience: Proven experience in project management, ideally within higher education or a similar institutional environment and expertise in formal project management methodologies (e.g., Waterfall, Agile) preferred. Strong understanding of business process improvement and data management; Experience with ERP implementation and budget management required. PMP (Project Management Professional) certification or equivalent preferred. Experience managing projects within a higher education context and familiarity with data governance practices and institutional compliance requirements, preferred. Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and ability to manage complex projects from inception to completion on time and within budget required. Effort: Requires working at computer workstations for extended periods of time and may require regular lifting and carrying objects weighing up to twenty-five pounds, and occasionally up to fifty pounds. Other: Occasional travel and extended work hours may be required to meet critical project deadlines.