Program Manager, Digital Experience Initiatives

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

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POSITION SPECIFICS​

Penn State's Office of Strategic Communications—the University's central public relations and marketing division—seeks a Program Manager, Digital Experience Initiatives to coordinate complex, highly visible digital initiatives across the University's distributed web ecosystem. The successful candidate will liaise with internal partners and cross-functional teams to ensure that web and digital projects deliver measurable outcomes.

This is a hybrid or potentially fully remote position that calls for a strategic communicator, skilled facilitator, and an experienced project manager who can align cross-functional teams and guide complex initiatives toward cohesive, outcome-driven digital experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Initiative Management: Lead and coordinate multiple, simultaneous web and digital experience efforts, working across stakeholder groups to define scope, clarify outcomes, and drive progress
• Stakeholder Alignment: Serve as the primary contact for unit-based teams, product owners, and strategic partners, managing expectations through consistent communication and engagement
• Project Facilitation: Support kickoff meetings, discovery phases, sprint planning, and decision-making forums to determine role clarity, timelines, and deliverables
• Delivery Coordination: Work closely with content strategists, developers, designers, analysts, and digital leads to enable projects to advance with clarity, cohesion, and purpose
• Roadmap Documentation: Maintain project documentation, status trackers, and shared communication plans for internal and external visibility
• Risk and Issue Management: Identify potential obstacles, facilitate resolution, and escalate when necessary to maintain momentum
• Continuous Improvement: Recommend and help implement project workflows, communication standards, and team coordination methods that improve delivery outcomes
• Organizational Learning: Capture lessons learned, surface bottlenecks, and share insights that help strengthen Penn State's broader digital maturity

Preferred Skills and Experience

The ideal candidate will:

• Have PMP, ScrumMaster, or other project management certification
• Understand digital platforms, content systems, and user-experience principles
• Be able to coordinate across teams and manage stakeholders in complex organizational settings
• Understand digital accessibility, content strategy, and web governance
• Have strong written and verbal communication skills
• Be fluent in project management tools (e.g., Jira, Smartsheet, MS Project, Asana)
• Be proficient in the use of collaboration, productivity, and documentation tools such as Microsoft Project, Miro, Slack, Confluence, Google Drive, and Microsoft Office Suite
• Prior experience working in a higher education, government, or nonprofit setting is a plus

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:None

About Penn State's Office of Strategic Communications

As Penn State's central public relations and marketing division, the Office of Strategic Communications is a fully integrated, award-winning, best-in-class marketing and public relations team defined by innovative strategy and breakthrough creative driven by measurable goals. We advance the University by strengthening and protecting the institution's reputation in regional, national and international spheres of influence in ways that serve recruitment, resource and leadership goals.

Spanning Penn State's large-scale enterprise—including campus locations across Pennsylvania, nearly 90,000 students, and an alumni base exceeding 700,000—the Office of Strategic Communications' work encompasses all forms of communications and engagement, ranging from branding, marketing, and trademark and event management to internal communications, proactive and social media, research communications, and crisis and issues management. We've attracted talented and diverse team members from private and public sectors at all levels of our division, giving us the ability to build a strategic program of excellence recognized throughout the University.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $76,700.00 - $115,100.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

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