Senior IT Project Manager

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Information Technology ServicesJob Description

Job Summary

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for the development and ongoing operational management and assessment of large, high profile projects that span multiple ITS departments, have a significant impact on one or more large stakeholder groups in the campus community, and/or have a high degree of complexity. The Senior Project Manager coordinates project plans and (matrix) project staff, ensuring effective and timely progress to goals and management of risk and stakeholder engagement. The Senior Project Manager is a member of the ITS Leadership team and participates in ITS strategic planning and organizational development activities.

Essential Functions

• Manages assigned high profile and high priority IT projects, ensuring their effective set up, implementation and completion as well as their transition to ongoing service and support.

• Partners with ITS leadership team members and senior staff from other college departments to create effective project plans with appropriate representation, resources, shared objectives and project risk management.

• On behalf of the VPIT/CIO, acts as a liaison to executive sponsors, program managers, and other key IT stakeholders in the Smith community to ensure effective partnerships in assigned projects.

• Coordinates the work effort of continuing and contingent project staff assigned to the projects under their supervision.

• Contributes to ITS’s community of practice around project management, organizational processes connected to ITS project administration, providing for effective and consistent training and mentorship of ITS and partner staff in project (management) roles.

• Prepares agendas, reports, analyses and other materials relevant for the ITS leadership team’s oversight and assessment of the portfolio of IT projects and initiatives.

• Participates in budget modeling and framework development for assigned projects.

• Advises the VPIT/CIO on organizational development needs related to IT project administration, support and collaboration.

• Related duties as assigned.

Behavioral expectations

• Effective at understanding the current state of IT projects

• Calibrates updates and messages appropriately by audience and organizational position (from front-line staff to VP level)

• Models institutional citizenship and higher-order, strategic thinking and decision-making

• Prioritizes value and partnerships, with proactive, ongoing coordination

• Drives to successful outcomes regardless of who owns individual process elements

• Develops trust and credibility as an individual and on behalf of the ITS organization

• Able to communicate complex information appropriately, honestly, and discretely to colleagues at all levels of the organization

Minimum Qualifications

Education/ Experience: Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years experience managing large, complex and high-profile IT projects with technical and non-technical stakeholders, and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills

• Extensive experience managing complex IT projects and their transition to ongoing operational mechanisms

• Knowledge of how IT applications, services, and technology infrastructure are configured and delivered across IT disciplines, sufficient to provide effective oversight of technical staff and projects

• Ability to synthesize a range of technical, cultural and process elements to develop and execute project plans effectively

• Familiarity and first-hand experience with multiple project management methodologies and tools

• Demonstrated success in fostering effective collaboration and team dynamics in complex IT projects

• Demonstrated success managing project teams and team members who report to other people and groups

• Proven ability to assess and calibrate project risks and develop strategies for their management and/or mitigation

All successful ITS staff are known for effectively applied expertise, thoughtful attention to detail, timely and appropriately calibrated follow-up, proactive and constructive problem-solving, openness to new approaches, and for building effective partnerships and trust within ITS, across the College and (where relevant) with external partners.

Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position . Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application. You will NOT be able to attach additional files after you have hit the Submit button.

Review of applications will begin

November 21, 2022

Compensation Grade:

Grade F

Position Type:

Fixed Term

About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Diversity and a culture of inclusion among students, staff, faculty, and administration are crucial to the mission and values of Smith College. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, color, religions, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or veteran status in the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, and the operation of any of its programs and activities, as specified by all applicable laws and regulations. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.