Northeastern University

Compensation

Full Description

About the Opportunity This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Job Summary The Division of Information Technology Services (ITS) seeks a strategic Senior IT Project Manager to lead Workday optimization initiatives that align with university priorities. This role requires a proactive leader with strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and execution skills to drive cross-functional collaboration and deliver projects on time and within scope and budget. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with a proven track record in managing ERP-related projects in dynamic environments. They must combine strategic thinking with hands-on leadership, influencing outcomes and ensuring measurable improvements. Experience with Workday or large-scale ERP systems is essential. 24/7 business continuity: This role requires availability outside of traditional working hours on a rotating basis to ensure continuous operation of critical AI systems and platforms. Responsibilities include monitoring system health, responding to alerts, troubleshooting performance issues, and implementing emergency fixes as needed. The ideal candidate must be able to quickly diagnose and resolve AI system and platform incidents, prioritize issues based on business impact, and coordinate with technical teams to restore service. A strong commitment to system reliability and service continuity is essential for success in this position. Other duties as required: This role requires flexibility in performing duties outside of the primary responsibilities to support the evolving AI ecosystem at the university. The ideal candidate must be adaptable and willing to take on additional tasks or projects as required, ensuring consistent and reliable AI and platform operations. This may include assisting with knowledge management, documentation updates, user training, data preparation, or special projects related to AI system improvements. A problem-solving mindset and willingness to tackle emerging challenges are essential for thriving in this dynamic environment. Hybrid work schedule: This role is hybrid and in the office a minimum of three days a week in Boston to facilitate collaboration with both technical teams and operations staff. In-office presence enables effective coordination with support teams, direct access to infrastructure, and hands-on troubleshooting of AI systems and platforms. Physical presence is particularly important for incident response, change management activities, and cross-functional problem-solving sessions that benefit from in-person collaboration and real-time communication. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University is unable to work sponsor for this role, now or in the future. Minimum Qualification Education · Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or a related field. Experience · 8–10 years of progressive IT project management experience, including managing large, complex, cross-functional IT initiatives in matrixed organizations. · Minimum of 5 years of experience engaging with business units, technical teams, and executive stakeholders. · Demonstrated success delivering enterprise-level technology projects (e.g., CRM, ERP, infrastructure, cloud systems). · Proven ability to lead diverse project teams, set direction, communicate vision and influence outcomes without direct authority. · Skilled in navigating organizational change, managing competing priorities and driving progress in ambiguous environments. · Strong use of data-driven insights for planning and risk management. · Large system ERP experience such as Workday Certifications · PMP, Agile, or other relevant project management certifications preferred. Skills & Competencies · Expertise in project management methodologies, including Waterfall, Agile, and hybrid approaches. · Proficiency in project management tools such as MS Project, Smartsheet, ServiceNow and Jira. · Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound decisions under pressure. · Excellent verbal and written communication, including presenting to senior leadership. · Ability to foster collaboration and resolve conflicts across diverse stakeholder groups. · Deep understanding of business processes and IT alignment, with the ability to deliver measurable value. · Skilled in resource planning and budgeting for large-scale projects. · Self-motivated, organized, and capable of working independently in fast-paced environments. · Deep understanding of current and emerging technologies and how leading enterprises leverage them to drive digital innovation and maximize business value. Key Responsibilities Project Leadership & Execution Lead planning, execution, and delivery of multiple complex IT projects across departments. Develop and manage detailed project plans, budgets, timelines, scope statements, and resource allocations. Ensure deliverables meet quality standards and are completed on time and within budget. Conduct risk assessments and implement proactive mitigation strategies. Monitor project activities, ensuring the currency, quality and integrity of information, while providing consistency in content. Stakeholder Engagement & Communication Serve as the primary liaison between technical teams, business units, and executive sponsors. Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels. Facilitate effective communication across cross-functional teams to ensure shared understanding of objectives, progress, and changes. Present project updates, risks, and performance metrics to governance groups and leadership. Team Leadership & Collaboration Provide direction and support to cross-functional project teams, including internal staff and external vendors. Set clear objectives and responsibilities, promoting ownership and accountability throughout the team. Foster a collaborative environment that encourages innovation, ownership and problem-solving. Monitoring, Reporting & Financial Oversight Track and report on project progress, milestones, risks, issues, and financials. Prepare and publish status reports; adjust schedules and plans as needed. Conduct post-project evaluations and document lessons learned. Manage project budgets responsibly, identify cost-saving opportunities, and ensure financial accountability. Position Type Information Technology Additional Information Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Compensation Grade/Pay Type: 113S Expected Hiring Range: $112,180.00 - $162,662.50 With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change. Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real-world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact. Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system—which includes 14 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 300,000-plus alumni, and 3,000 partners worldwide—serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions. The university’s residential campuses for undergraduate and graduate degrees are located in Boston, London, and Oakland, California. Our research and graduate campuses are in the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant; Arlington, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami; Portland, Maine; Seattle; Silicon Valley, California; Toronto; and Vancouver. Northeastern’s personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment. Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors—aligned around solving today’s highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind.