Senior Project Manager

KAI Partners, Inc. (KAIP) is currently seeking a Senior Project Manager who will lead complex projects to enhance organizational efficiency and support business operations in a higher education environment. In this role, you will develop project plans, manage timelines, and coordinate cross-functional teams to achieve strategic goals. You will be responsible for identifying risks, addressing client needs, and ensuring high-quality service delivery. Strong client and stakeholder relationships will be essential as you generate reports and provide insights that drive decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Review and report on the consistency of system development using work plans, schedules, milestones, deliverables, staffing plans, and resource utilization.
• Apply extensive Project Management (PM) principles, methods, techniques, and tools.
• Produce related status reports and metrics using client-approved Project Management Office tools and procedures.
• Build and maintain project schedules, integrate related schedules, and other program management activities.
• Monitor, evaluate, coach, and participate in issue and risk management activities including risk identification, mitigation, resolution, and contingency planning.
• Identify needs that clients may not recognize, and ensuing approaches and solutions linked to objectives and future needs.
• Continuously manage client expectations to ensure the highest quality service delivery, while soliciting and acting on client feedback.
• Prepare and present written materials and oral findings, as needed.
• Provide schedule updates to client staff for budget and planning documents.
• Effectively lead highly diverse and cross-functional teams.
• Effectively build and maintain strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders.
• Manage all phases of the assigned project.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications

• Experience working in a higher-education environment, including some all or some of the following: student information systems, educational technology, application integration, technology road mapping, stakeholder engagement, coalition building, policy development, credit articulation, workforce development, and/or registration operations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with internal and external customers.
• Awareness of political dynamics inherent to higher-education environments; demonstrated experience in successfully navigating the same.
• Excellent computer proficiency (MS Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Proficiency with work management tools (e.g., Monday.com, Jira, SmartSheets).
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, while maintaining a positive attitude and providing exemplary customer service.
• Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within the parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and adapt when priorities change.
• Proactive self-starter who is comfortable working with cross-functional teams.
• Patience and dedication when working with clients, vendors, and internal teams.
• Strong analytical, critical, and creative problem-solving skills.
• Previous experience with state government, large IT solution implementations, digital transformation portfolios, and project portfolio management is a plus.
• Strong presentation skills.

Work/Education Experience

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Current PMP Certification from PMI (Required)
• 15+ years' experience applying extensive Project Management (PM) principles, methods, techniques, and tools.
• 7+ years of Senior Project Management experience of large, complex IT project(s).
• 5+ years of experience in providing project management services in or for institution(s) of higher education.
• Previous experience managing projects to implement Ellucian Banner SaaS or other Ellucian Banner products is highly desirable.
• Previous experience transitioning multiple higher education institutions into shared instances of enterprise software platforms is highly desirable.
• Previous experience managing enterprise software platform implementations involving Salesforce (especially Education Cloud) or Mulesoft is a plus.

Compensation Range: $130,000 - $154,000 The salary range for this role may vary depending on the specific geographic location where this position is ultimately filled. Several factors, including but not limited to a candidate's experience, education, skills, and certifications, pay equity, and organizational needs, are considered when determining the posted salary range. In addition, eligible roles also qualify for a comprehensive benefits package. Must be able to provide proof of education for all mandatory qualifications; all references will be verified. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.