The Program Manager will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating a portfolio of related projects, ensuring they align with the organization's strategic goals and deliver exceptional business value. The Program Manager will provide leadership and mentorship of the project team, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and driving program initiatives to successful completion in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. They will utilize their extensive skills in strategic planning, risk management, and stakeholder communication to ensure that the program's objectives are met, and that resources are effectively managed to optimize results.

As a member of the management team, the Program Manager contributes to the development and furtherance of our organizational strategic plans, management of program budget and resources, and provides support for essential cross-departmental initiatives and process improvements.
 

The Michigan Language Assessment team is a dynamic and committed to building and strengthening a culture of support, innovation, adaptability, quality, and trust. You'll have the chance to collaborate with peers from more than a dozen countries as you help us grow domestically and globally. We believe in hard work and the importance of personal time. We believe good ideas can come from anyone in the organization. We believe that difficult projects and hard tasks can be accomplished in an atmosphere that's collegial and supportive, because we're all in this together. 

To find out more about Michigan Language Assessment, visit us at https://michiganassessment.org/about-us/.
 

• Lead collaboration with executive leadership to define program objectives and align strategic, complex, and cross-functional initiatives with organizational strategic goals. Execute the creation of program charters, oversee the development of project charters, and ensure alignment with strategic priorities.
• Oversee program execution and governance by developing program management frameworks that ensure effective coordination among projects, while managing interdependencies and resource allocation at the program and project level. Oversee the planning, execution, monitoring, and closure of related projects within the program.
• Provide expert guidance to project leadership teams (project director and project managers), fostering an environment of effective communication and leadership.. Coordinate with stakeholder groups to manage expectations and establish effective communication channels for program deliverables. Implement robust governance frameworks that facilitate strategic decision-making, enhance program accountability, manage program risks through risk identification, detailed analysis and execution of mitigation strategies, and ensure that budgets are controlled and utilized effectively.
• Manage the creation and maintenance of comprehensive communication and reporting solutions, such as program dashboards, senior leadership updates, and organization-wide briefings, to keep stakeholders informed of program progress and outcomes. Develop and monitor program metrics and KPIs supporting strategic priorities.
• Manage the Project Management team, ensuring that they have the necessary tools and skills to operate effectively, and they are motivated to strive towards continuous improvement.
• Utilize unique skill sets to operationally contribute to the execution of project work where necessary to achieve the strategic aims of the program. May include process mapping, quality assurance, user acceptance testing and user experience design.
• Contribute to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the long-term strategic business plan, including budgeting and resource management.

• Bachelor's degree in business or risk management, or similar
• PMP certification or similar
• Proven expertise in the comprehensive implementation of advanced project management principles, adept at steering complex, large-scale, cross-departmental programs from inception to successful completion.
• Proven ability to lead large, cross-departmental programs and projects, skilled in defining program/project scope, timelines, and deliverables and supporting operational initiatives such as UAT.
• Project management software proficiency.
• Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills with attention to detail and an ability to manage competing demands.
• Competent user of most Office products and ability to quickly learn new software programs.
• Proven ability to cultivate high-performance teams; excels in mentoring and coaching team members and fosters a collaborative and engaging work environment that drives success.
• Proficient in the proactive identification and tactical mitigation of project risks, employing strategic foresight to safeguard project integrity and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Exemplary skills in engaging, presenting, and influencing at all organizational levels, especially skilled in conveying complex concepts to executive leadership, ensuring stakeholder alignment and support.
• Significant progressive experience as a project manager managing large, complex projects and overseeing multi-function project teams.
• Progressive experience in developing and executing business requirements, ensuring accurate identification of both functional and non-functional requirements.
• Experienced in developing, managing, and monitoring program budgets to ensure alignment with organizational financial objectives. 

• Master's degree in business or risk management.
• Lean training/certification
• Agile Scrum Certified
• Ability to provide leadership to managers and teams, collaborate with vendors, and develop strategies and solutions of high business value.
• Knowledge of Quality Management practices
• Strong knowledge and understanding of business needs with the ability to establish and maintain a high level of trust and confidence.
• Creative approach to problem-solving with the ability to focus on details while maintaining the `big picture' view.
• Agile/Scrum implementation experience
• Experience managing digital or software projects
• Experience in an educational or assessment industry a plus

This position may be eligible for remote and/or flexible work opportunities at the discretion of the hiring department.  Flexible work agreements are reviewed annually and are subject to change dependent on the business needs of the hiring department, throughout the course of employment.

Michigan Language Assessment is seeking candidates located in or around Ann Arbor and supports a fully remote work from home schedule with occasionally scheduled in person activities.

Suitably qualified candidates outside of the Ann Arbor commuting area may be considered.

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.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.