Program Director, Strategic Initiatives

Please Note: Internal Employees, please access the Jobs Hub app on the Workday Dashboard homepage to apply for the position.

The University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global) is a private, nonprofit affiliate of the University of Massachusetts. Accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), the university offers undergraduate, graduate, credential, and certificate programs designed to be relevant to more than 90 career paths. UMass Global has ranked consistently among the best in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

The Project Director, Strategic Initiatives is a proactive and solutions-oriented leader who manages complex, cross-functional initiatives that support the university’s strategic plan. The role requires an innovative thinker who anticipates challenges, identifies creative solutions, and accelerates decision-making to keep initiatives on track. The role requires knowledge of academic and operational processes in non-traditional higher education universities to bring major initiatives to go-live. The position translates executive priorities into actionable workflows, secures institutional buy-in across academic and operational units, and drives timely completion of major initiatives.

This is a full-time position with an initial 2-year term.

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TYPE OF SUPERVISION:

Receive general direction from the Vice Chancellor, Institutional Effectiveness & Chief Strategy Officer.

General Direction — indicates that the incumbent receives guidance in terms of broad goals and overall objectives and is responsible for establishing the methods to attain them. Generally, the incumbent is in charge of an area of work; and typically formulates policy for this area but does not necessarily have final authority for approving policy.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Strategic Initiative Leadership & Project Management

• Manage complex, institution-wide strategic initiatives requiring cross-unit coordination and accelerated timelines.
• Develop comprehensive project plans, charters, timelines, workflows, and accountability structures.
• Manage and coordinate leaders across academic and operational divisions, ensuring alignment of priorities, information flow, and timely decision-making.
• Synthesize feedback and operational details from multiple units and translate them into clear, actionable recommendations, as appropriate.
• Anticipate barriers, propose innovative solutions, and maintain momentum toward “go-live.”

Cross-Functional Coordination & Institutional Alignment

• Serve as a connector across university divisions, academic schools, governance bodies, and executive leadership to ensure alignment and clarity.
• Facilitate cross-functional meetings and working groups, guiding leaders toward consensus and unified institutional direction.
• Gather, analyze, and integrate input from unit leaders to produce concise summaries and recommended courses of action
• Engage stakeholders early to secure institutional buy-in and ensure transparent communication of all decisions and timelines.

Strategic Communication & Executive Decision Translation

• Translate complex executive decisions into actionable, well-structured workflows for cross-functional teams.
• Prepare recommendations for the Vice Chancellor of Institutional Effectiveness and Chief Strategy Officer and other senior leaders as appropriate based on synthesized input from multiple divisions and diverse perspectives, highlighting options, impacts, and readiness considerations.
• Provide concise executive-level briefings, reports, and presentations.
• Maintain proactive, clear communication with all levels of the university to ensure shared understanding of timelines, deliverables, and decisions.

Regulatory, Accreditation, & Non-Traditional Education Expertise

• Apply, research, and rapidly learn unfamiliar regulatory or accreditation requirements as needed, ensuring accurate interpretation and integration into project plans
• Ensure project plans incorporate federal regulations, accreditation standards, and governance requirements.
• Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Financial Aid, Enrollment, Registrar, and Student Success to align compliance and operational requirements.
• Translate regulatory and accreditation requirements into clear action steps for team leads and unit leaders.
• Perform other duties, as assigned

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATION AND/OR LICENSES:

• 5-7 years' experience in project management or strategic operations, with increasing responsibility, preferably in higher education.
• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred in higher education, organizational leadership, or related field.
• PMP Certification or similar certification preferred

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated knowledge of non-traditional and online models serving working adult learners
• Demonstrated knowledge of institutional planning, project lifecycles, including workflow design, timeline development, and cross-functional implementation
• Strong analytical skills, with exceptional judgment and the ability to support rapid decision-making.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills able to engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong proactive leadership skills that promote innovative problem-solving and outside-the-box thinking
• Proven ability to coordinate and influence leaders at all levels across all university divisions.
• Proven ability to think proactively, strategically, and creatively to overcome barriers
• Proven ability to navigate ambiguous, fast-paced environments and guide teams through change.

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Electronic Devices and Software:  State what the incumbent will be required to use.

Contact with Students:  Occasional

Contact with Faculty and/or Staff:   Frequent

Contact with Community and Vendors: Occasional

This role is under a fixed term contract with a 2-year term.

This position is a remote position located in the United States. 

Eligible remote locations in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Unless otherwise indicated, work hours are based on Pacific Time (PST). Employees must be available for collaboration during core hours from 10am to 3pm (PST).

Please note: UMass Global does not sponsor work visas for this position. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship, both now and in the future.

The hiring range for this position is $120,000 - $150,000 per year. Offers are determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to geographical location, knowledge, skills, years & depth of experience, and equity with internal team members.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position may be required to work flexible hours particularly given the need to support students’ or stakeholders’ extended hours of operation and may require occasional weekend and/or evening work.  Applicants for this position are subject to a background check and a criminal history review.

At the University of Massachusetts Global, we support your total well-being with flexible and meaningful benefits:

• Health: Medical, dental, and vision coverage with spending account options.

• Work-Life Balance: Flexible schedules, 1/2 day Fridays (biweekly), remote options, generous time off, and a paid winter break.

• Financial Security: Life, disability, and supplemental insurance, legal and identity protection, and student debt support.

• Retirement: 403(b) plan with a Roth option. 3% non-elective contribution and up to a 6% match for a 9% total employer contribution!

• Education: Tuition discounts for employees and family and Tuition Exchange program with other universities.

• Wellness: Counseling services, Calm app access, and year-round wellness programs.

Please Note: Internal Employees, please access the Jobs Hub app on the Workday Dashboard homepage to apply for the position.

Equal Employment Opportunity – UMass Global is committed to providing an educational and work environment free of unlawful discrimination and harassment in any form. UMass Global prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment on the basis of  age, race (including hairstyle/texture, protective hairstyles, braids, locks, and twists), color, religion (including religious observance, belief, practice dress and grooming practices), citizenship, pregnancy (including temporary physical or mental limitations related to, affected by, or arising out of pregnancy, childbirth, or any related medical conditions), sex, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, legally-protected medical condition, military (past, present or prospective) status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by local, State or Federal law.

Reasonable Accommodation – UMass Global provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the recruitment department at recruiting@umassglobal.edu.