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George Washington University
Senior Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Operations
🇺🇸
Hybrid - Washington, District Of Columbia
🕑
Full-Time
💰
$95K - $131K
💻
Project Management
🗓️
November 11th, 2026
Higher Ed
Agile
Tableau
Edtech.com's Summary
George Washington University is hiring a Senior Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Operations. The role sits in the Division for Student Affairs and reports to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, leading cross-functional projects that advance the division's priorities and the University's Strategic Framework. It combines project and change management with planning, fundraising support, and data-driven assessment to improve how the division serves students.
Highlights
- Lead a portfolio of high-impact, cross-functional strategic projects from inception through completion, serving as primary project manager for the Vice President for Student Affairs' priorities.
- Apply project and change management methods to structure deliverables, align stakeholders, mitigate risks, and track outcomes.
- Prepare executive briefings, decision materials, presentations, and reports for senior university leadership and external engagements.
- Translate institutional strategic priorities into operational plans and measurable targets, using environmental scans and benchmarking to recommend streamlined administrative processes.
- Serve as staff liaison for the Board of Trustees Committee on Student Affairs and support the Joint Committee of Faculty and Students with meeting schedules, communication, and action-item tracking.
- Partner with University Advancement and Family Engagement teams on divisional fundraising priorities, donor impact reports, and stewardship, and monitor divisional grants for sponsor compliance and reporting.
- Define, collect, and analyze quantitative and qualitative metrics to evaluate project effectiveness and divisional health.
- Bachelor's degree plus 5 years of relevant professional experience, or a Master's degree or higher plus 3 years; preferred qualifications include project management certification (PMP, Agile, Lean) and proficiency with PowerBI or Tableau.
- Hiring range of $95,351.12 to $131,107.80.
- Full-time hybrid position at the Foggy Bottom campus, 40+ hours per week, Monday through Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm, with occasional nights and weekends.
Senior Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Operations Full Description
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Senior Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Operations
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status
Posting Details
I. JOB OVERVIEW
Job Description Summary: | The Division for Student Affairs (DSA) cultivates an inclusive community supporting connection, growth, and well-being for every student at The George Washington University. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students (VPSA), the Senior Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Operations leads high-impact projects that advance divisional priorities, the University’s Strategic Framework, and operational effectiveness.
As a strategic operator and systems thinker, this position applies project management, change management, and data-driven decision-making to drive organizational excellence, align cross-functional resources, and support student success across the university.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Initiatives & Project LeadershipLead and execute a portfolio of high-impact, cross-functional strategic projects from inception through completion. Serve as primary project manager for Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) priorities, ensuring alignment with institutional goals, scope, and timelines. Apply standard project management and change management methodologies to structure deliverables, align stakeholders, mitigate risks, and track outcomes. Prepare executive briefings, decision materials, presentations, reports, and background documents for senior university leadership and external engagements. Strategic Planning & Organizational Effectiveness Translate institutional strategic priorities into actionable operational plans and measurable targets for the division. Conduct environmental scans, benchmarking, and research to inform executive decision-making and operational improvements. Recommend and implement streamlined administrative processes and operational models to enhance service delivery. University Committee Staffing Manage the administrative interface with the Board of Trustees, including serving as the Staff Liaison for the Committee on Student Affairs and coordinating reporting requirements, trustee meeting materials, and executive briefings. Provide operational support for the Joint Committee of Faculty and Students (JCFS), facilitating cross-functional communication, coordinating meeting schedules, and tracking action items across student leadership and faculty stakeholders. Advancement & Development Support Partner with University Advancement and Family Engagement teams to identify divisional fundraising priorities and support stewardship efforts. Prepare executive briefings, proposals, donor impact reports, and presentation materials for leadership initiatives. Track divisional fundraising progress and donor engagement metrics. Monitor and manage divisional grants, tracking key deliverables, ensuring compliance with sponsor policies, and overseeing progress and impact reporting. Data, Assessment & Continuous Improvement Define, collect, and analyze quantitative and qualitative metrics to evaluate project efficacy and divisional health. Maintain divisional compliance with institutional policies, maintaining high confidentiality and discretion in administrative operations.
The incumbent may perform other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
Minimum Qualifications: | Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 5 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 3 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications: |
Preferred Qualifications: | • Five (5) or more years of progressive experience in higher education administration, strategic planning, project management, organizational development, management consulting or related areas.
• Professional certification in project management (PMP, Agile, Lean) and/or formal training in change management methodologies.
• Demonstrated proficiency with relevant technologies such as project management platforms, A.I. tools, and data reporting systems and dashboards (e.g., PowerBI, Tableau).
Hiring Range | $95,351.12 - $131,107.80
GW Staff Approach to Pay | How is pay for new employees determined at GW?
As a strategic operator and systems thinker, this position applies project management, change management, and data-driven decision-making to drive organizational excellence, align cross-functional resources, and support student success across the university.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Initiatives & Project LeadershipLead and execute a portfolio of high-impact, cross-functional strategic projects from inception through completion. Serve as primary project manager for Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) priorities, ensuring alignment with institutional goals, scope, and timelines. Apply standard project management and change management methodologies to structure deliverables, align stakeholders, mitigate risks, and track outcomes. Prepare executive briefings, decision materials, presentations, reports, and background documents for senior university leadership and external engagements. Strategic Planning & Organizational Effectiveness Translate institutional strategic priorities into actionable operational plans and measurable targets for the division. Conduct environmental scans, benchmarking, and research to inform executive decision-making and operational improvements. Recommend and implement streamlined administrative processes and operational models to enhance service delivery. University Committee Staffing Manage the administrative interface with the Board of Trustees, including serving as the Staff Liaison for the Committee on Student Affairs and coordinating reporting requirements, trustee meeting materials, and executive briefings. Provide operational support for the Joint Committee of Faculty and Students (JCFS), facilitating cross-functional communication, coordinating meeting schedules, and tracking action items across student leadership and faculty stakeholders. Advancement & Development Support Partner with University Advancement and Family Engagement teams to identify divisional fundraising priorities and support stewardship efforts. Prepare executive briefings, proposals, donor impact reports, and presentation materials for leadership initiatives. Track divisional fundraising progress and donor engagement metrics. Monitor and manage divisional grants, tracking key deliverables, ensuring compliance with sponsor policies, and overseeing progress and impact reporting. Data, Assessment & Continuous Improvement Define, collect, and analyze quantitative and qualitative metrics to evaluate project efficacy and divisional health. Maintain divisional compliance with institutional policies, maintaining high confidentiality and discretion in administrative operations.
The incumbent may perform other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
Minimum Qualifications: | Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 5 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 3 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications: |
Preferred Qualifications: | • Five (5) or more years of progressive experience in higher education administration, strategic planning, project management, organizational development, management consulting or related areas.
• Professional certification in project management (PMP, Agile, Lean) and/or formal training in change management methodologies.
• Demonstrated proficiency with relevant technologies such as project management platforms, A.I. tools, and data reporting systems and dashboards (e.g., PowerBI, Tableau).
Hiring Range | $95,351.12 - $131,107.80
GW Staff Approach to Pay | How is pay for new employees determined at GW?
Healthcare Benefits
GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.
GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.
II. JOB DETAILS
Campus Location: | Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.
College/School/Department: | Division of Student Affairs
Family | Finance and Business
Sub-Family | Project Management
Stream | Individual Contributor
Level | Level 3
Full-Time/Part-Time: | Full-Time
Hours Per Week: | 40+
Work Schedule: | Monday through Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm, with occasional nights and weekends
Will this job require the employee to work on site? | Yes
Employee Onsite Status | Hybrid
Telework: | Yes
Required Background Check: | Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search
Special Instructions to Applicants: | Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status
Internal Applicants Only? | No
Posting Number: | S014563
Job Open Date: | 11/11/2026
Job Close Date: |
If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until: |
Background Screening | Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.
EEO Statement: | The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
College/School/Department: | Division of Student Affairs
Family | Finance and Business
Sub-Family | Project Management
Stream | Individual Contributor
Level | Level 3
Full-Time/Part-Time: | Full-Time
Hours Per Week: | 40+
Work Schedule: | Monday through Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm, with occasional nights and weekends
Will this job require the employee to work on site? | Yes
Employee Onsite Status | Hybrid
Telework: | Yes
Required Background Check: | Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search
Special Instructions to Applicants: | Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status
Internal Applicants Only? | No
Posting Number: | S014563
Job Open Date: | 11/11/2026
Job Close Date: |
If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until: |
Background Screening | Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.
EEO Statement: | The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Are you currently employed with The George Washington University?
- No
- Yes
- * For current GW employees, have you completed your Introductory Employment Period (IEP)? (As a reminder, employees in their IEP are not eligible to apply for other internal university staff and research positions until the IEP is complete.)
- Yes, IEP complete
- No, still in IEP
- N/a - not a current GW employee
- * What is your salary range expectation?
(Open Ended Question)
Documents needed to Apply
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Optional Documents
Human Resource
Management & Development
2013 H Street, NW, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202-994-8500
Fax: 202-994-9680
Email: [email protected]
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