Project Manager

Associate Project Manager/Project Manager
Department : Technology Services
Location : Hybrid in Columbia, Missouri
Type : Full-time, Staff
Pay : $54,121 to $60,000 per year (Associate Project Manager) $59,533 to $65,000 (Project Manager) (Pay range may vary based on geographic location and experience)
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available for this position

Job Summary:
The Project Manager role is responsible for leading high-visibility, complex projects of varying size and impact to successful completion. This position requires a strategic partner who can manage multiple workstreams simultaneously while maintaining alignment with college-wide goals. Typical projects include, but are not limited to, technology implementations, software development, business process transformations, and various other college initiatives. This position will manage the project lifecycle from beginning to end and communicate frequently with stakeholders and project teams to ensure alignment. The role requires a self-starter with strong organization, communication, collaboration, and leadership skills, and an aptitude for technology and continuous process/service improvement.


Essential Functions:

• Administer frequent meetings with vendors and colleagues at all levels of the organization; leveraging various technologies to effectively collaborate with in-person and remote participants.
• Build and maintain relationships with departments across the college; partnering with them to help identify, assess and prioritize organizational needs.
• Initiate projects by partnering with stakeholders to define and capture goals/objectives, functional and technical requirements and user stories, and by helping to prepare business cases and perform cost/benefit and ROI analyses as needed.
• Lead project and schedule planning activities, including the development of testing, training, communication, operational readiness and go-live plans.
• Oversee the execution of project plans, monitor progress, communicate status updates to stakeholders, refine plans and schedules where appropriate, track issues/risks, and take corrective actions as needed.
• Actively help manage project portfolios and backlogs, larger program-level initiatives, and the development and refinement of project management approaches, processes and techniques.
• Continually learn and develop soft and technical skills through personal initiative and various training opportunities.
• Maintain a working knowledge of industry trends and best practices to help influence opportunities and/or risks that should be considered.
• Perform job duties in accordance with Columbia College's vision, mission and values, and contributes to the development of the Technology Services Department.
• Practice superior customer service.
• Fulfill additional responsibilities as assigned.
• Display respect and civility to all constituencies in all communications.
• Attend work timely and on a regular basis during the established hours of operation; work additional hours as business necessitates.

Supervisory Responsibility: No direct reports.
Position reports to: Director, Project Management Office


Required Core Competencies and Professional Experience:

• Ability to fluently read, write, and understand the English language.
• Proficiency with the following, but not limited to: active listening; speaking; writing; critical thinking; judgment and decision making; monitoring; reading comprehension; time management; coordination; and management of personnel resources.
• Proficiency for using a variety of computer and technology-related software and equipment, including Microsoft Office products and database systems.
• Proficiency in using web-based technologies, including database systems.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment, with or without direct supervision.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, customer service, and organizational skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, or relevant/comparable experience
• Knowledge of Project Management methodologies, including waterfall, agile and hybrid approaches
• Familiarity with project and work management solutions like TeamDynamix, MS Planner, Smartsheet, or similar

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in higher education
• Two or more years of experience managing projects, or two to three years of business analyst experience
• Formal project management, agile and/or IT Service Management training or certifications
• Knowledge of LEAN and/or Six Sigma methodologies

Required Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree
Required Professional Certification(s):
Preferred Level of Education: Master's Degree
Preferred Professional Certificate: PMP

Other Requirements: Ability to satisfy, within the parameters set by the College and consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, a criminal background check as a condition of employment.

Special Requirements (if any): Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to support various project milestones.

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Individuals seeking accommodation should contact the Human Resources Department without delay. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time, talk, and hear. The employee is required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, or crawl. Employee must be able to type on a computer keyboard and use a computer monitor on a regular basis.

Work Conditions: The work environment conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is rarely exposed to outside weather conditions; however, possible exposure to hazards and physical risks to personal safety may occur while operating certain equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually mild.

This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive of every duty and responsibility required by the employee in the position.

Eligibility for employee benefits and perks is determined by employment status. For more information please see /

The offer of employment and assignment to duties is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal background check. The information may include, but is not limited to, academic, residential, achievement, performance, attendance, disciplinary, employment history, credit history, driving history, and criminal history of public record.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Columbia College is an equal opportunity employer.

In compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), the Department of Campus Safety for Columbia College has provided the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report and crime statistics for the main campus and venues nationwide.

Columbia College is required to distribute this information to all current and prospective employees and students. Please follow the link below for the full report or contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io for a printed copy.