Technical Project Manager III

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• The Technical Project Manager III ensures high quality project delivery, on time, on scope and on budget.
• Manages all phases of assigned projects (i.e., initiating, planning, executing, monitoring/controlling, and closing).
• Works with Program Managers, Product Manager, Technical Leads and key stakeholders to gain SME level understanding and knowledge of the domain where the program and projects reside to facilitate discussion concerning platforms, components, software applications, technologies, and security measures.   
• Performs thorough research and analysis to ensure the most effective technologies and methods are employed. Clearly communicates constraints, conflicts, requirements, compatibility issues, and items which could affect project outcome, final performance level, or customer satisfaction. Offers appropriate alternatives and contingency plans. 
• Identifies scope of project and develops documents outlining key project objectives, goals, plans, requirements, proposals, estimates, schedules, and budgets. Makes presentations, submits requests, and gains necessary approvals. Ensures estimates of time, cost, performance level, and materials are accurate and meet project requirements. Makes modifications to plans and schedules as necessary. 
• Works with Program management to assemble a project team, make work assignments, and effectively direct and coordinate activities. Provides necessary training on project objectives, processes, and details. 
• Successfully monitors, documents, and presents project status concerning milestones and delivery deadlines.
• Communicates progress to appropriate stakeholders, program manager, and project sponsors.
• Effectively documents, manages, and communicates changes and decisions.  
• Maintains accurate and complete records during the development process. Ensures related oral and electronic communications regarding project requirements, design changes, problems, solutions, etc. are securely maintained and readily available for review. 
• Sets up and coordinates effective post-sprint and user testing to effectively evaluate and document delivery and system performance, fulfillment of project requirements, and elimination of bugs. Ensures test plans are well-documented, relevant to application, and in compliance with policies and procedures. Analyzes test results, identifies problems and conflicts, and provides solutions. Ensures problems are resolved quickly and effectively. Repeats testing as needed. 
• Coordinates and manages creation of related documentation. Ensures accurate technical information is gathered and disseminated to technical writers. Ensures final documents are thoroughly reviewed, accurate, complete, and user friendly. 
• Monitors contracts and manages project budgets. Approves pay requests and change orders. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Understands departmental strategic priorities and influences the actions and work efforts of team members in line those priorities.
• Provides input to Project Management Office (PMO) manager to develop or refine project management procedures and processes for the purpose of improving efficiency.
• Provides thought leadership, mentorship, and training support to project managers and associate project managers.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

• Excellent leadership and project management skills. 
• Is skillful in creating Work Breakdown Structures, project plans and timelines, understand scope and identify key milestones in the delivery.
• Works well individually and in a team environment. 
• Has the ability to build consensus, influence and motivate others. 
• Possesses strong oral and written communications abilities. 
• Solid technical and problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to plan the project activities and meet schedules. 
• Able to use all related computer equipment and applications.  
• Strong knowledge of development cycles and standards. 
• Experience with agile delivery models.
• Thorough understanding of technology applications, processes, software, and equipment. 
• Understanding of planning and development of large-scale technology projects. 
• Knowledge of effective project management techniques and methods. 
• Thorough knowledge of agile methods and how they apply to project management. 
• Excellent change management skills (such as ProSci training).

Competencies: 

Execution & Organizational Impact:

• Develops and manages project budget, scope, schedule, and timeline.
• Possesses strong organizational skills.
• Employs time management principles and practices into project activities.
• Monitors, documents, and mitigates ongoing risk management trade-offs.
• Understands and integrates appropriate project management tools, templates, activities, artifacts, and processes.
• Documents, investigates, and obtain approval for appropriate decisions and changes to the original project plan.
• Act as a SME on the project outcome when working with Scrum delivery teams.
• Works to achieve operational targets with significant to major impact on department, Function, or Office results. May be responsible for managing large projects or processes within the department, function, or office.​

Problem Solving & Decision Making:

• Determines and documents the validity of project progress.
• Maintains project objectivity.
• Applies ongoing analysis to the project and reports on project health.
• Integrates the project outcomes with the cross-functional program-level objectives.

Communication & Influence:

• Aims to understand industry/market trends and organizational (WGU) changes that could affect the project delivery or outcome.
• Provides information to all key stakeholders in both written and verbal formats.
• Determines and utilizes the appropriate change management and communication channels.
• Utilizes project data (during execution and after delivery) to highlight meaningful insights in the value delivered.
• Employs active listening and crucial conversation skills.
• Prepares and delivers presentations.
• Works to influence parties within and outside the department, Function, or Office regarding policies, procedures, and practices. 

Leadership/Decision Making:

• Collects and structures the available documentation and data related to the project.
• Makes timely decisions that are data driven.
• Conducts scenario analysis with help of Program Managers.
• Always has a can-do attitude and takes initiative.
• Responds in a politically astute manner.
• Motivates and inspires teams and stakeholders.
• Leads by example and mentors other team members.
• Manages and resolves conflict
• Builds relationships across the organization.
• Demonstrates team organization and governance and delegates when appropriate.
• Is responsible for providing guidance, coaching, and training to other employees in the department, Function, or Office. Responsible for managing projects involving delegation of work and review of others’ work products.​
• Demonstrates the WGU leadership principles in all aspects of service to students, employees, and partners of WGU.

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience with a bachelor's degree, or 3+ years and a master's degree, or a doctorate or terminal degree without experience​.

Department Specific Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Information Systems, Management, or related field.
• 7-10 years of experience in Project Management; specifically in a technology environment preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• May have broad knowledge of project management.
• Project Management Professional (Project+, PMP, Prince2) Certification.
• Experience in a technology and/or higher education preferred.
• Experience with Agile development.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:
 

How to apply: apply online

Full-time Regular Positions (FT classification, standard working hours = 40)

This is a full-time, regular position that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

The University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.