Senior Project Manager - College of Engineering - Dean's Office Chief Operating Officer

Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that stands among the world’s most renowned education institutions. With ground-breaking brain science, path-breaking performances, creative start-ups, big data, big ambitions, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn’t imagine the future, we invent it. If you’re passionate about joining a community that challenges the curious to deliver work that matters, your journey starts here!

The College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon is a world-class engineering college recognized for excellence, innovation, and the societal relevance and impact of its pursuits. We produce creative and technically strong engineers and research pioneering solutions to global challenges. We do this with an unprecedented commitment to integrating across engineering, sciences, arts, business, and other fields to yield transformative results.

The College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University seeks a highly skilled and collaborative Senior Project Manager to assist in the leadership of large-scale, complex projects that advance the college’s strategic, operational, academic, and research initiatives. This position provides expert project management services across multiple departments and stakeholder groups, guiding projects from original concept through final implementation using structured project management methodologies and best practices, tracking KPI’s, and providing regular updates on progress and organizational performance.

The Senior Project Manager is accountable for project planning, governance, scheduling, and execution throughout the project lifecycle. This role partners closely with college leadership, managers, faculty, staff, university constituents, and external vendors to ensure successful project outcomes and organizational alignment. This role will coordinate generation of executive briefings, presentations, reports, and meeting materials. They will conduct research and analysis to support executive decision making. The position will also track action items and follow-up activities arising from leadership meetings, and assist in managing strategic priorities and organizational planning efforts.

This position operates in a dynamic, collaborative university environment supporting the mission of education, research, and innovation within the College of Engineering. The role will involve managing multiple high priority initiatives and projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage large and complex cross-functional projects across the College of Engineering from initiation through implementation and closeout.
• Apply structured project management methodologies, tools, and best practices to ensure consistent execution and successful delivery of project objectives.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, schedules, timelines, budgets, and resource allocations.
• Conduct ongoing risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies to proactively address project challenges and dependencies.
• Establish, define, and strengthen project governance structures, decision-making frameworks, and reporting processes.
• Facilitate effective communication among project teams, sponsors, leadership, and university stakeholders to ensure transparency and alignment.
• Consult and partner with multi-departmental stakeholders, technical managers, faculty, staff, and external vendors to support project planning and execution.
• Coordinate and influence technical and administrative resources at various stages of the project lifecycle.
• Monitor project progress, performance metrics, and deliverables to ensure adherence to scope, timeline, and budget expectations.
• Prepare and deliver project status updates, presentations, and recommendations to leadership and governance groups.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and operational efficiency across project management practices within the college.
• Share accountability for project outcomes and contribute to a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Manage preparation of executive briefings, presentations, reports, and meeting materials.
• Conduct research and analysis to support executive decision-making.
• Track action items and follow-up activities arising from leadership meetings.
• Assist in managing strategic priorities and organizational planning efforts.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, engineering, information systems, project management, or a related field.
• Significant experience in executive support and managing large-scale, complex projects in higher education, research, technology, operations, or related environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in project management methodologies, governance models, budgeting, scheduling, and risk management.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent executive communication skills, and interpersonal and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without direct authority.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders across technical and non-technical environments.
• Experience working within a university or research institution environment.
• Familiarity with change management principles and organizational transformation initiatives.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated

Preferred Experience:

• Project Management Certificate:
  • Project Management Professional (PMP), CAPM , Lean Six Sigman or equivalent certification.

Requirements:

• Successful background check

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance. 

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

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