Accountability & Planning Project Manager

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS: Friday, June 20

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The purpose of this position is to support the USM Office of Academic and Student Affairs (ASA) in several key areas: overseeing the implementation of the ASA goals of Vision 2030, the USM’s strategic plan; assisting with academic program proposals and reviews; and assisting with project management needs. This is a year-long contractual, 40-hours-per-week position with the potential for renewal.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Plan Implementation and Project Management:

• Helps lead and coordinate the implementation of the academic and student affairs goals of Vision 2030. Specific initiatives include credentialing expansion, civic education curricular integration, Carnegie classification expansion, teacher pipeline expansion, and improved transfer pathways.
• Serves as the ASA project lead to Huron Consulting on an initiative focused on identifying and refining strategies and metrics designed to help ASA achieve, measure, and report on the success of long-term goals of Vision 2030 (those from 2025-2030). Provides initial input on the project; partners with Huron to refine, finalize, and monitor all deliverables; and helps facilitate and convene project-related work groups and meetings.
• Serves as the ASA point person for monitoring and reporting on the progress of key Vision 2030 objectives.
• Conducts data analysis to inform project decisions, track progress, and measure outcomes.
• Researches and develops policies that support the execution of Vision 2030. 
• Writes comprehensive reports on project statuses, outcomes, and recommendations for improvement.
• Creates and delivers presentations to various stakeholders, including university leadership, faculty, and external partners.
• Identifies and pursues grant opportunities to secure funding for Vision 2030 projects, and prepares and submits grant proposals.

Academic Programs Support:

• Conducts first review of USM-wide academic program requests.
• Maintains accurate academic program records.
• Facilitates communication with campuses about academic program processes.
• Provides technical assistance to institutions’ provost office staff.
• Researches policy questions and engages in the policy-making process.
• Partners with a workgroup charged with developing a portal for program approval and review submissions.

Project Management:

• Provides support for ASA special projects as assigned by the senior vice chancellor.
• Handles administrative tasks such as sending communications, drafting reports, setting up meetings, preparing budget documents, and maintaining project documentation.

SALARY:

$80,800-$101,000

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Education Level/Certifications:

Master’s degree in Education or a relevant field.

Required Experience:

3 years of experience in higher education academic and student affairs.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Familiarity with the distinctions among statute, regulation, guidance, and State and institutional policy in order to understand program approval requirements and where different levels of authority lie.
• Knowledge of data analysis techniques and tools.
• Proficiency in analyzing data to inform decisions and measure outcomes.
• Understanding of grant writing and funding processes.
• Knowledge of policy research and development.
• Ability to lead and coordinate teams, workgroups, and initiatives.
• Excellent attention to detail in both writing and budgets to identify potential weaknesses and communicate possible improvements clearly.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for reports, presentations, and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to identify challenges and develop effective solutions.
• Strong working knowledge of MS Office tools, including SharePoint.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preferred Education Level/Certifications:

Doctoral degree in Education or a relevant field.

Preferred Experience:

5 or more years of experience in higher education academic and student affairs.

• Paid Leave: 22 days of annual leave, 15 days of sick & safe leave, 15 holidays, 3 personal leave days, and 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

• Health Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with flexible spending accounts.
• Retirement Plans: Elective deferral options with major providers like Fidelity and TIAA.
• Life Insurance: Optional term life and AD&D benefits through MetLife.
• Tuition Benefits: Tuition remission for employees and their families.
• Training & Development: Free professional development conferences and unlimited LinkedIn Learning access.
• Credit Union Access: Membership eligibility for SECU, Maryland’s largest credit union.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Free counseling, legal, financial, and work-life support services.