Position Summary: The Project Manager for the Office Provost and Chief Operating Officer serves as a key partner to the Provost, providing high-level administrative and operational support to ensure the successful execution of the division's strategic initiatives. This position plays a critical role in managing complex activities, overseeing projects, and supporting decision-making processes that align with institutional priorities. The Project Manager serves as a trusted advisor to the Provost, coordinating communication across departments, acting as a liaison with senior leadership, and ensuring the efficient management of the Provost's office. The role requires strong discretion and a proactive approach to problem-solving to support the Provost in achieving the goals of the Division of Student Services.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:
Strategic Support and Initiative Management:
· Provide executive-level support to the Provost by overseeing the coordination and implementation of high-priority projects and strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional goals.
· Work closely with senior leadership to monitor the progress of key institutional objectives, providing regular updates and reports to the Provost.
· Anticipate the needs of the Provost in advancing the division's strategic agenda and proactively manage tasks, projects, and deadlines.
· Serve as a key advisor to the Provost on administrative and operational matters, offering recommendations and solutions to enhance organizational efficiency.
Leadership of Office Operations:
· Oversee the daily operations of the Provost's office, ensuring the effective management of administrative functions, staff coordination, and workflow optimization.
· Manage and prioritize the Provost's schedule, including coordinating meetings with senior leaders, external stakeholders, and key partners to maximize time and productivity.
· Lead the preparation and coordination of materials for high-level meetings, ensuring the Provost is well-prepared with relevant reports, analysis, and recommendations.
· Support the Provost's involvement in institutional governance by managing and tracking key decision-making processes, agendas, and follow-ups.
Cross-Departmental Collaboration:
· Act as a liaison between the Provost's office and other divisions, departments, and external organizations, facilitating seamless communication and collaboration.
· Represent the Provost in cross-functional meetings and committees as needed, ensuring that key messages and priorities are communicated effectively.
· Coordinate and foster strong relationships with faculty, staff, and external partners to enhance the impact of the Division of Student Services initiatives.
Executive Communication and Stakeholder Engagement:
· Draft, review, and edit executive-level correspondence, presentations, and communications on behalf of the Provost to internal and external stakeholders.
· Support the Provost in preparing for key public and institutional engagements, including speeches, presentations, and reports, ensuring that messaging is aligned with the strategic goals of the institution.
· Serve as the primary point of contact for inquiries directed to the Provost's office, managing complex and sensitive communications with diplomacy and discretion.
Project and Budget Management:
· Manage the Provost's office budget, overseeing expense tracking, budget forecasting, and financial reporting in alignment with institutional policies.
· Lead special projects and initiatives, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and aligned with institutional priorities.
· Identify opportunities for process improvements within the Provost's office and across the Division of Student Services to enhance operational efficiency and support continuous improvement.
Confidentiality and Decision-Making Support:
· Handle sensitive and confidential information with the highest level of discretion and professionalism, ensuring the security of communications and documentation.
· Provide administrative support for decision-making processes by gathering, analyzing, and presenting data that informs key strategic discussions and actions.
Hours/Schedule:
To adequately meet the business needs of the various departments, the office hours for this position can vary between Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
FLSA: Salary - Exempt
Hours/Days/Year: 2080
Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: · Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
· At least five years of progressively administrative support.
· Ability to exercise discretion, independent judgment, and confidentiality.
· Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Salary/Hourly Rate: $53,179 - $58,497
Special Instructions to Applicants:
At WCC, we value diverse experiences and perspectives.
If you're excited about this role and meet the minimum qualifications but not all of the preferred qualifications, we encourage you to still apply. We believe that some skills can be developed, and a varied background may bring a unique contribution to our team. If you have a passion for our mission and can convey your transferrable skills related to the position, we'd love to hear from you.
Washtenaw Community College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
For over 50 years, WCC's open-door admissions policy, affordable tuition rates, and high-quality classes have attracted students from local communities and around the world. More than 18,000 register for credit classes each year, and thousands more enroll in non-credit LifeLong Learning classes. WCC's diverse student body includes more than 1,000 students from over 100 foreign countries.WCC's small classes allow for lots of individual attention. The average class size is 22 students. That's a fraction of the size of many basic classes at four-year colleges and universities.WCC also emphasizes convenience. It offers classes seven days a week, at night, and online. And transferring is easy because WCC has agreements with four-year schools throughout Michigan.