Project Manager
University of Illinois Chicago

Job Info

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Job Summary

The Office for Strategic Marketing and Communications (SMC) is seeking a full-time Project Manager at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). SMC positions, promotes and protects the reputation of UIC, Chicago's only public research university.

The Project Manager is part of SMC's Analytics and Alignment team and is responsible for leading, guiding, influencing and curating cross-functional teams and leaders to ensure strategic and scalable workflow processes, operational excellence, data analytics, training and administrative support. Reporting to SMC's chief of staff, who serves as the Executive Assistant and Budget Officer, the position will be responsible for coordinating teams and processes to ensure projects meet the strategic goals and priorities of the University of Illinois Chicago and are delivered on time and produce the desired results. In addition, the Project Manager is adept in establishing, defining, analyzing and sharing data-driven metrics that drive impact and keen decision-making. The successful candidate will be able to manage a high-volume of projects, strategically and tactically, while exemplifying a bias for action and being able to gather and interpret data to make strategic decisions. The candidate is a systems thinker and executor who is highly analytical, detail-oriented and has a know-how of marketing and communications. In addition, the role will serve as a trainer and facilitator for various projects and experiences internally and externally. The position will manage the chartering of projects and execution, go-live and project closure with key stakeholders using project management methodology. From the initial brainstorming, research, implementation, production, debriefing and reporting, the Project Manager will exercise a steeped ability to understand all entities of the team (University Communications, Storytelling and Content Strategy, Brand and Creative Communications, Digital Marketing and Engagement, Digital Media and Engagement and Analytics and Alignment) while collaborating with the team and serving as a liaison across campus, external stakeholders and partners.

The Strategic Marketing and Communications team is a collaborative group that develops and executes strategies that inform, inspire and engage all to become part of UIC's global academic and research mission. This role values a team of teams approach who can motivate and positively influence others to curate a content strategy anchored in advancing university and priorities and to promote engagement of core audiences.

About UIC

Located in one of the world's greatest cities, the University of Illinois Chicago is Chicago's largest university and only public research institution. Its 16 academic colleges serve nearly 34,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. UIC is recognized as one of the most ethnically rich and culturally diverse campuses in the nation, a leader in providing access to underrepresented students. UIC has one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is a federally designated Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI), and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).

Around 80% of undergraduates receive financial assistance. With one of the largest colleges of medicine in the nation, and colleges of dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, social work, and applied health sciences, UIC is the state's principal educator of health professionals and a major healthcare provider to underserved communities. UIC students become professionals in fields ranging from business and engineering to education, liberal arts and sciences, urban planning, law, and social work, as well as architecture, design, and the arts. UIC is an integral part of the educational, technological, and cultural fabric of Chicago.

UIC is among the nation's preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. Recent "Best Colleges" rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC among the top 40 public schools in the nation. The UIC campus is located just west of Chicago's loop, integrated into historic residential neighborhoods and the urban environment.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead projects that transform SMC's partnerships, processes and policies, leveraging industry-standard and best practices aligned with strategic priorities and objectives.
• Lead strategic planning, development and modifications by identifying, analyzing, presenting and implementing initiatives and systems to improve team efficiency.
• Lead the team in adoption, adherence and execution of best practices of being data-driven through workflows, processes and systems, including acting as a trainer for the team and stakeholders throughout the university.
• Serve as a trainer, facilitator and presenter while being an advocate and influencer in the quality of the team's output in all mediums, troubleshoot and collaborate on solutions and forward-thinking strategies.
• Responsible for the development of project work plans and performance metrics, monitor work plans and metrics to assure activities are executed on-time and on-budget; coordinate the internal and external resources to complete activities as assigned; and conduct thorough plans to reveal the successes and improvement opportunities. Develops project life cycles, schedules, and project plans for video, print, and digital projects.
• Assists with tracking overall department budget, including spending, invoices, purchase orders, and purchase card statements.
• Manages project management software and coordinates and tracks projects and creative team workload.
• Develops and implements project request processes, post-project reviews, and forecasts for workload and resource needs throughout the year.
• Manages and acts as central coordinator of project communication and status reports through the active engagement of leadership and all stakeholders.
• Develop, implement, coordinate and maintain performance dashboards to provide transparency of growth and performance metrics communicating monthly, quarterly and yearly progress in line with strategic vision.
• Track project performance, specifically to analyze the successful completion of short and long-term goals. Work collaboratively with internal and third parties/vendors specifically, generating quotes, establishing lead times, distributing proofs and submitting invoices for the flawless execution of multiple projects.
• Efficiently and effectively manage multiple, complex and results-oriented projects with both quick turn-around requirements and long lead times.
• Define and educate key stakeholders developing spreadsheets, diagrams, process maps to document needs and priorities.
• Operate in a highly organized fashion with attention to detail on all projects, including paying critical attention to adherence of voice, brand and visual guidelines.
• Demonstrate understanding of the university's mission, values, goals and priorities and an ability to ensure that all are considered in developing marketing and communications strategies.
• Commitment to the mission and values of UIC, including a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Other duties as assigned and as they emerge in an ever-evolving marketing and communications landscape built on advancing the mission, vision and purpose of UIC.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree required.
• At least three years of related work experience in project management (creative development, IT project management or marketing/event planning, enterprise resource planning, etc.)
• Strong understanding of formal project management methodologies, frameworks and best practices, including proficiency in Adobe Suite, Word press, Salesforce and social media and a willingness to continually enhance technology skills as required.
• Strong familiarity with project management software tools such as Airtable, Wrike, Smartsheet, Asana, Google Analytics and Kaban boards.
• Proven working experience in project management with project management professional (PMP) certification is a plus.
• Proven ability to operate from a strategic and tactical perspective. A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion across all work, internally and externally.
• Demonstrated organizational ability, detail orientation, flexibility, initiative, and ability to coordinate several projects simultaneously with a series of continuous deadlines. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills including excellent grammar, spelling, and proofreading skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Conduct effective issue resolution and conflict management skills throughout the process to ensure the team continues to move forward.
• Ability to lead and participate in idea generation and conceptualize campaigns as well as individual pieces of content tied to the UIC brand, mission and goals.
• Strong communication, relationship building and interpersonal skills to work influentially and effectively with the team and campus partners.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to take initiative, work independently, and attend to multiple projects to meet deadlines.
• Along with project management, strong problem-solving skills and ability to manage, often with limited resources and authority.
• Ability to interpret information to make business decisions and recommendations based on analysis, best practices and an understanding of preferred outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience in leading student groups, organizations or teams.
• Demonstrated high levels of creativity, curiosity, empowerment, learning agility, effort and a desire to grow and become better.
• Flexible about shifting priorities and resilient when faced with ambiguity.
• Nimbly adapts to new systems and change management, knowing when it is necessary to ask for help and when it is appropriate to propose better ways of doing things.

For fullest consideration, please submit a cover letter, resume, and three references via by March 2, 2024 to the UIC Job Board.

The University of Illinois Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, and religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University of Illinois may conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=1411899

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