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Western Governors University

Lead Business Owner

🇺🇸 Salt Lake City, UT

🕑 Full-Time

💰 $60K - $91K

💻 Project Management

🗓️ July 14th, 2025

Edtech.com's Summary

WGU is hiring a Lead Business Owner to manage and develop projects supporting student competency evaluation initiatives. The role involves independently creating project plans, applying subject matter expertise in evaluation processes, and collaborating with teams to enhance operational practices that impact student success and departmental objectives.

Highlights
  • Manage and maintain records for projects related to student competency demonstration.
  • Apply subject matter expertise in faculty, registrar, transcript evaluation, and related evaluation support processes.
  • Develop project plans, schedules, and priorities to meet department goals using independent judgment.
  • Use knowledge of value stream mapping, project management, and online assessment practices.
  • Analyze complex data and develop creative solutions to improve assigned products and processes.
  • Communicate and collaborate with internal teams and stakeholders to deliver and support projects.
  • Minimum qualifications include a Master's degree and four years of relevant business ownership experience.
  • Preferred qualifications include experience in the Evaluation department and certifications such as Lean Six Sigma and PMP.
  • Compensation ranges from $60,300 to $90,500 annually with eligibility for bonuses and comprehensive benefits.
  • Contributes directly to student success initiatives and prudent stewardship of student tuition dollars.

Lead Business Owner Full Description

Lead Business Owner
Salt Lake City Office
Full time

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.

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: 
 
Grade: Professional 306Pay Range: $60,300.00 - $90,500.00

Job Description
Essential Functions and Responsibilities: 
  • Creates and maintains a record of all things that need to be done within assigned projects for a product or process that supports student demonstration of competency.
  • Has subject matter knowledge, experience and skills related to the Evaluation Department initiatives such as Faculty, Registrar, Transcript Evaluation, Evaluation Experience and Support, Administration.
  • Works autonomously to accomplish assigned objectives through development of assigned products or processes of the department. Exercising considerable independent judgment and creativity in determining how to achieve results within defined policies and procedures.
  • Establishes project plans, schedules, and priorities in support of pre-determined goals to accomplish objectives of the department.
  • Determines how best to utilize available resources and seeks out partnerships with colleagues in consultation with direct manager.
  • Applies knowledge to contribute to development of operational practices.
  • Provides analysis of complex situations and data with a focus on evaluating and solving for a variety of factors.
  • Understands policies and procedures of WGU and the Evaluation department and applies them with appropriate judgment.
  • Develops creative solutions to solve issues with assigned products or processes, with an eye toward continued innovation.
  • Continuously engage the user and stakeholders for assigned projects to ensure the right product or process is delivered and/or supported.
  • Influences the university and team vision and direction, as appropriate.
  • Contributions directly impact the Department’s objectives.
  • Conduct work that is critical to the student experience and success through initiatives focused on faculty, registrar, transcript evaluation, evaluation experience and support, or administration policies and procedures.
  • Work and/or decisions consider the Department’s budget and careful stewardship of student tuition dollars.
  • Prioritizes and sequences all things that need to be done within assigned projects or areas of support.
  • Act as the voice of the team assigned to products or processes, both internally and external to the department.
  • Frequently interacts with individual contributors and other functional managers.
  • Often leads a cooperative effort among project team members to enhance processes and student success.
  • Navigate evolving deadlines and project needs to support student success.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:
  • Knowledge in value stream mapping, strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention and focus on detail.
  • Working knowledge of evaluation support processes (Training, Appeals, Professional Communication etc.)
  • Understanding of project management and/or change management initiatives.
  • Working knowledge of online assessment practices
  • Basic understanding of Web/Mobile technologies
  • Familiar with market forces/current trends impacting online education.
  • Ability to inform analytics team on additional needs

Competencies:  
Organizational Impact:
  • Responsible for implementing initiatives and projects established by university or department leadership; establishes operational plans for department, function, or office with short-term impact on results. ​
  • May deliver input into new processes, standards, or plans that impact overall university or department results.
Problem Solving & Decision Making:
  • Leverages a systems-thinking approach for improving existing processes and systems within the department using significant conceptualizing, reasoning, and interpretation.​
  • Problems and issues faced are numerous, difficult, and require detailed information gathering and analysis. Typically affect multiple areas or specialties. Problems and issues span a wide range of challenging and unique situations.
Communication & Influence:
  • Collaborates cross-functionally with parties within and outside of the department and may occasionally communicate with external parties. ​
  • May influence others to accept the job area’s views, practices, concepts, and approaches and conduct briefings with leaders within the University or department. 
Leadership & Talent Management
  • Responsible for providing guidance, coaching, and training to other employees in the department, Function, or Office. ​
  • Provides direction to project team members, including feedback on performance.​
  • Demonstrates the WGU leadership principles in all aspects of service to students, employees, and partners of WGU.

Job Qualifications: 
Minimum Qualifications: 
  • Master’s degree
  • 4 years of direct Business Ownership and related experience. 
 
Preferred Qualifications: 
  • One year of experience in the Evaluation department 
  • Knowledge of WGU’s Salesforce, student portal, and Banner systems  
  • Lean Six Sigma or Six Sigma Certification (MBB, Black Belt, Green Belt or Yellow Belt) 
  • PMP or PMI certification (Project Management Professional Certification) 
  • PROSCI Trained – Change Practitioner Program 

Physical Requirements: 
  • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. 
  • Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. 

Physical Requirements:
  • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

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Position & Application Details
Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) 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.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information
Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive. 

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.