Senior Project Manager

Job summary

The Senior Project Manager provides strategic leadership to deliver complex, high-impact initiatives within the Enterprise Project Management Office. They are responsible for planning, executing, and managing large-scale projects while ensuring alignment with institutional goals and governance frameworks.

Job details

We are hiring for two positions, each with an initial two-year appointment. Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton. The Senior Project Manager provides strategic leadership and expert project management to deliver complex, high-impact initiatives aligned with the University’s strategic priorities. Operating within the Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO), this role ensures that enterprise-wide projects are planned, executed, and delivered on time, within scope, and within budget, while maintaining alignment with institutional goals and governance frameworks. While both positions will contribute to the overall goals of the team, each successful candidate will have an area of focus, as outlined below. Reporting to the Senior Program Manager, the successful candidate will play a key role in the University’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) modernization program, one of the institution’s most significant transformation initiatives. This multi-year program will renew core administrative systems across finance, human resources, and student domains, enabling improved decision-making, streamlined processes, and enhanced service delivery across the University. Reporting to the Manager, Project Delivery, the successful candidate will lead projects that involve multiple teams and diverse stakeholders across the university. A high level of influence is required to ensure the achievement of significant organizational benefits. Project assignments may include medium to large scale digital transformation initiatives and business process design and improvements. The Senior Project Manager partners with executive sponsors, deans, associate vice-presidents, vice-provosts and other senior stakeholders to translate strategic objectives into actionable project plans and measurable outcomes. RESPONSIBILITIES Project Leadership and Delivery * Lead the planning, execution, monitoring, and closure of large-scale, cross-functional, and high-visibility projects. * Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, timelines, and resource plans in alignment with University strategic priorities. * Oversee project budgets, financial forecasts, and risk management strategies. * Manage complex stakeholder relationships and facilitate effective decision-making across departments and governance bodies. * Ensure project documentation, reporting, and communication meet EPMO and institutional standards. Strategic Alignment and Portfolio Integration * Work closely with the EPMO Director and Management team to align project outcomes with the University’s strategic plans and enterprise portfolio. * Identify and escalate risks, dependencies, and resource conflicts that may impact portfolio delivery. * Support the continuous improvement of project management methodologies, tools, and templates within the EPMO. * Provide input into the prioritization and sequencing of initiatives across the enterprise portfolio. Change Management and Stakeholder Engagement * Lead change management planning and execution to ensure successful adoption of new processes, technologies, or organizational changes. * Facilitate communication and collaboration among diverse groups, including faculty, staff, students, and external partners. * Develop and deliver executive-level briefings, progress reports, and recommendations. Mentorship and Capability Building * Mentor and coach Project Managers and Project Coordinators within the EPMO. * Contribute to building a culture of accountability, transparency, and project excellence across the University. * Promote professional project management practices and tools to improve institutional project maturity. QUALIFICATIONS * University degree at the undergraduate level in a relevant discipline, such as business administration or project management or equivalent experience * 8–10 years of progressive project management experience, including large-scale, multi-stakeholder projects. * Demonstrated experience leading ERP implementations or major enterprise system transformations (finance, HR, student systems, or equivalent). Experience in higher education or a public-sector environment preferred. * Demonstrated success managing budgets, schedules, and resources in a complex, matrixed organization * Project Management Professional (PMP) and/or PRINCE2 certification is an asset * Advanced skills in project planning, risk management, and performance measurement. * Strong business acumen with the ability to link project outcomes to institutional strategy. * Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills. * Ability to navigate complex governance structures and competing priorities. * Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira, SharePoint). * Demonstrated success in the execution of project management methodologies (e.g. Agile, Waterfall, Scrum, etc) * Experience working with various Project Management tools and software (e.g. Visio, Lucidchart, Project, etc) Application Instructions Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume and cover letter This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, [https://www.ualberta.ca/en/human-resources-health-safety-environment/benefits-and-pay/benefits-and-pension/benefits-overview/index.html] and an annual salary range of $77,513 to $128,708 The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed by Schedule G [https://www.ualberta.ca/human-resources-health-safety-environment/media-library/my-employment/agreements/universityaasua20182020collectiveagreementschedulegtemporarylibrarianadministrativeprofessionalstaff.pdf] of the collective agreement between the University and the Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta. The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs and research stations are primarily located on the territory of Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide. Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more [https://www.ualberta.ca/en/careers.html]. At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns. The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply. L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler. The Office of Strategic Transformation and Delivery (OSTAD) is the engine room for the organization’s most ambitious goals. We don’t just plan for the future; we build the roadmap to get there. Our mission is to bridge the gap between high-level vision and tangible results by driving large-scale, cross-functional initiatives that redefine how we operate. We are a team of problem-solvers, dot-connectors, and catalysts. If you thrive in high-impact environments where "the status quo" is a challenge to be met, the OSTAD is where you’ll do your best work.

What you’ll do

The Senior Project Manager provides strategic leadership to deliver complex, high-impact initiatives within the Enterprise Project Management Office. They are responsible for planning, executing, and managing large-scale projects while ensuring alignment with institutional goals and governance frameworks.

Requirements

Candidates must possess a university degree and 8–10 years of progressive project management experience, particularly with large-scale enterprise system transformations. Strong skills in stakeholder engagement, risk management, and proficiency with project management tools are essential for success in this role.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package

Listed skills

• Change Management · Preferred
• Mentorship · Preferred
• SharePoint · Preferred
• Jira · Preferred
• Risk Management · Preferred
• Agile · Preferred
• Project management · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Project management
• Strategic leadership
• ERP implementation
• Change management
• Risk management
• Stakeholder engagement
• Budget management
• Digital transformation
• Business process design
• Mentorship
• MS Project
• Smartsheet
• Jira
• SharePoint
• Agile
• Waterfall
• Influencing Skills
• Project Documentation
• Stakeholder Communications
• Strategic Objectives
• Organizational Change Management
• Accountability
• Project Scoping
• Waterfall Methodology
• Change Management Planning
• Digital Transformation
• Strategic Prioritization
• Project Delivery
• Planning
• Research
• Agile Methodology
• Budgeting
• JIRA
• Business Acumen
• Business Administration
• Management
• Business Process Modeling
• Strategic Planning
• Change Management
• Decision Making
• Collaborative Software
• Communication
• Continuous Improvement Process
• Project Planning
• Employment Contracts
• Enterprise Resource Planning
• Finance
• Forecasting
• Governance
• Leadership

Job areas

• Management & Leadership
• Technology
• Education
• Administrative
• Government & Public Sector
• Project Manager
• Project Manager (General)
• Management and Organization Analysts
• Project Management Specialists

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