Director, IT Project Management Office - #002238

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:
* 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
* 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
* 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Paid vacation and sick leave accrual begin after first month of employment. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

Reporting to the CIO, the Director is the IT division's project program manager, responsible for operation and management of the IT Project Management Office ( PMO) and staff consistent with best practices models. Key responsibilities include: management of the university's portfolio of IT projects; management of IT project managers within the PMO and embedded within IT departments; managing larger, riskier, high-profile, and longer term IT projects; directing the development and implementation of IT project management methodologies; configuration and operation of the IT Portfolio and Project ( PPM) system; strategic planning and implementation for enhancing IT project management maturity; executing project activation and ongoing portfolio prioritization processes; and ongoing reporting of IT project activities. This is a highly visible position that has significant impact on IT deliverables and university objectives.

* Leadership and management of IT Project Management Office ( PMO).
* Supervision of dedicated project managers across the IT division.
* Management of the university's portfolio of IT projects. This includes facilitating the planning and the prioritization of complex IT services that are typically university enterprise-wide efforts. These may have significant complexity across many functions, departments, and colleges. Projects may include significant business process and/or technology change.
* Develop and maintain an IT level project delivery schedule/Gantt chart and projected project activations.
* Coordinate and support IT project prioritization within the IT and Executive Council governance structure.
* Direct the development and implementation of IT project management methodologies. This includes advancing IT's project management maturity per benchmark PM maturity models; enhancing schedule and resource estimations, enhancing Total Cost of Ownership estimations; and stronger business case/ ROI/ VOI benefit analysis.
* Ensure IT project management methodologies are followed across the IT division.
* Direct the configuration and operation of the IT Portfolio and Project ( PPM) system.
* Collaborate with senior leadership on creating the underlying PMO strategy, success measures, project management maturity level/expectations, and performance feedback process.
* Direct project completion success/satisfaction survey process.
* Lead monthly IT division-wide project review.
* Perform project management on selected "high profile" project efforts. This can include: project charter development, stakeholder identification, project scope definition, integrated project plan development, project team development, project status monitoring and corrective actions, issue tracking, executive steering team leadership, and overall management and leadership of the project.
* Provide "dashboard" reports for executive management and other stakeholders.
* Provide proactive engagement and consultation to IT department directors with respect to department projects, project management needs, and project performance.
* Application administration for project management software system.
* Partner with various internal and external departments to ensure effective teamwork.
* Participate on key IT Division leadership teams, including the IT Leadership Council.
* Lead the Technical Review Board.
* Participate as an IT senior leader in the development and implementation of the IT division strategic plan.
* Ensure project objectives and outcomes comply with division and university strategic directions and goals.
* Other duties as assigned.

Must be eligible to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship.

Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer information systems, project management, or related field and 3-5 years of experience at FLSA exempt level; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

* Proficient in project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, etc.) and their appropriate application.
* Commitment to client service with ability to set and manage client expectations.
* Experience presenting to and influencing across an organization.
* Ability to analyze business data and procedures.
* Knowledge and experience with project management governance.
* Documented experience with formal project management software (e.g., Microsoft Project).
* Demonstrated evidence in oral and written communication skills, including ability to compose and present business and technical material to technical and non-technical audiences.
* Strategic and creative thinker with proven analytical and problem solving capability.
* Self-motivation, ability to work independently and to manage projects through effective communication, including analysis and persuasion.
* Strong organizational skills.
* High level analytical and problem solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to investigate complex issues and make informed decisions when written guidelines are not available.
* Ability to manage multiple projects/tasks/assignments at one time.
* Must achieve PMP certification within 18 months of starting position. WCU will provide resources and reimbursement for exam.

* Graduate degree.
* Minimum of five year's relevant work experience as project manager building, deploying, and supporting enterprise information technology efforts within a high functioning project management office with at least one year in a supervisory role.
* PMP certificate.
* Additional project management certifications.
* Knowledge of IT project planning/monitoring methodologies/processes, design, implementation and documentation.
* Documented experience and evidence of improving IT project management processes.
* Demonstrated evidence of skill in Quality Assurance and Quality Control, including quality audits and data trend analysis, such as control chart development and interpretation.
* Successful experience and outcomes leading a PMO.
* Experience supervising in a matrix organization.
* Strong willingness to learn new technologies and lead change.
* Documented progress in assessed project management maturity.
* Demonstrated success in change management.
* Demonstrated success in business process analysis.
* Experience with Six Sigma.

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include cover letter, resume and a list references with complete contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact Tabatha Springer at tjspringer@email.wcu.edu

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program.
Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.