A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. This cover letter should address your specific interest in this role and outline your skills and experience that directly relate to the position.

The Office of the Vice President for Communications (OVPC) seeks an experienced project manager to support the Vice President for Communications. OVPC is the only full-service strategic communications and marketing group exclusively dedicated to promoting the University of Michigan. From helping recruit the next generation of Wolverines to providing media coverage of our faculty's latest research discoveries to building our brand around the world, we partner with departments on all three U-M campuses to develop and share the Michigan story.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Finance, HR, and Organizational Strategy, you will lead and implement a variety of executive-level projects that positively impact the mission and vision of the university. At the core, you will take the initiative to develop multiple concurrent project plans, lead project implementation, track timelines, manage budgets, and work to resolve issues using a collaborative approach. You will assemble project teams and committees, often assigning individual responsibilities, identifying appropriate resources and partners, and developing project schedules to ensure deliverables are achieved on time and within budget. You will navigate complex environments and oversee multi-departmental projects while serving as a single point of contact. You will be expected to function with a high degree of independence with minimal day-to-day supervision to deliver projects in a timely and effective manner.
 

This is a 32 hour per week position. You will work a hybrid schedule, with three days of on-site work in Ann Arbor, MI. Some work on evenings and weekends will occasionally be required to accommodate the office schedule and events.

Benefits at the University of Michigan
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

• Lead the project lifecycle, including discovery, proposal, project plans, timelines, and resource allocations.
• Manage project execution from conception to completion, ensuring alignment with objectives and timelines.
• Translate leadership needs into actionable projects and tasks.
• Coordinate with project stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and external partners. 
• Conduct regular project meetings, track progress, manage changes, and address any issues or risks. 
• Conduct comprehensive data analyses to inform strategic decision-making and project planning.
• Manage detailed project plans and expenses using project management software.
• Collect and report data measuring project performance against established goals.
• Conduct comprehensive analyses and evaluations of existing projects, providing recommendations for expanding initiatives, projects and collaborations. 
• Other responsibilities as developed and assigned.

• Bachelor's degree
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Suite
• Demonstrated ability to write clearly, on deadline, about complex issues
• 5+ years in a professional project management position
• Experience managing a wide variety of projects 
• Experience in the financial management of projects
• Expert knowledge of project management tools and software
• Experience in leading project teams

• Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Project Manager (CPM)
• Higher education experience
• Strong presentation skills
• Strong organizational and leadership skills
• Excellent communication abilities (both written and verbal)
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders in a fast-paced working environment.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification, depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate. The 80% effort salary range for the lower classification (Project Lead Manager) is ($80,000 - $100,000).

New hires are typically hired into the lower portion of the range, enabling employee growth in the range over time. Actual placement in the range is based on job-related skills and experience, as evaluated throughout the interview process. A higher salary is possible for exceptionally qualified candidates. 

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.