This is a 2-year fixed term position.
To be considered, please submit a resume and cover letter expressing what makes you interested in the position and how your skills and capabilities align with the job requirements along with your online application. Application review will begin on January 6, 2025.
Unit Description:
The Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support (IR&DS) aims to be the first-choice provider of timely, high-quality, accessible information and analysis for informed decision-making at Stanford. We analyze and report on data from all of Stanford’s major administrative systems, including student, faculty, course, research, and financial data. Our team provides Stanford with extensive expertise in analysis, statistics, survey research, assessment, data warehousing, data governance, reporting, and visualization. On behalf of university leadership, departments, and central offices, we perform and facilitate complex analyses that drive organizational change. Collaborations with university stakeholders and with peer universities ensure we can collect and provide relevant data, dashboards, and reports. We pride ourselves on our exceptional client relationships, our ability to clearly communicate with and about data, and on our efforts to foster an environment where IR&DS staff work effectively, efficiently, and collaboratively. Learn more about us at https://irds.stanford.edu/about.
Position Summary:
IR&DS seeks an accomplished project manager to lead a diverse portfolio of analytics, decision support, governance, and reporting projects. Reporting to the Associate Vice Provost and Director for Institutional Research & Decision Support, the Project Manager will work with partner organizations across campus and with each of the teams within IR&DS (Assessment and Evaluation, Institutional Research, Data Governance, Decision Support Services & Business Intelligence). The Project Manager will lead projects with high visibility and complex stakeholder relationships. This position plays a pivotal role in identifying and implementing project management methodology and prioritizing a portfolio of projects within IR&DS’s strategic initiatives. The Project Manager’s work will focus on efforts that cross team and organizational boundaries and require sophisticated communication strategies.
This role will lead project management and communication efforts for projects such as:
- A research project into the relationship between pre-college student characteristics and student success.
- A research project using analytics to explore student course-taking pathways.
- Development of dashboards to support curriculum planning and development.
- The production of research reports and dashboards drawing on contributions from multiple teams and offices.
- Support for committees and task forces.
CORE DUTIES:
- Perform the full range of project management cycle: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. Lead projects requiring functional integration.
- Coordinate the efforts of project contributors ensuring that dependencies are accounted for and that the project is completed on schedule.
- Direct development of an action plan, and estimate requirements for resources, including management, labor, and time required to complete project.
- Facilitate discussions and negotiations to drive recommendation consensus within scope of responsibility.
- Develop and help execute comprehensive change management strategy and communication plan relative to project scope and stakeholders on a focused project; actively manage resistance to change.
- Develop communications such as slideware decks, memos, text on websites and dashboards.
- Monitor and report on project risks to project sponsors.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience:
Bachelor's degree in a related field and three years relevant experience or a combination of education and experience. Experience in management of projects of moderate size/complexity with limited performance risk, including project planning, scheduling, tracking, and budgeting, or combination of education and relevant experience. Experience in a research university is strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Polished written and oral communication skills to address a wide variety of audiences. Ability to craft engaging presentations using slideware. Ability to write clear and concise emails, memos and planning documents.
- Ability to tailor communications to a wide variety of stakeholders and audiences.
- Ability to fully leverage Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications for creation of documents, spreadsheets, slideware, and document storage.
- Ability to productively engage and influence cross-functional teams. Ability to adapt planning strategies to meet the needs of a diverse array of project contributors and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated project management ability to employ integration, scope time management, cost, quality, human resources, communications, risk, and procurement components.
- Demonstrated resilience, diplomacy, influence, relationship building, and problem solving skills in a variety of situations.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a complex and decentralized organizational context. Ability to perform in a variety of work styles and organizational cultures.
Certifications and Licenses:
None
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:
- Frequently sit, perform desk based computer tasks, grasp lightly/fine manipulation and lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
- Occasionally stand/walk, write by hand, twist/bend/stoop/squat and lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 20 pounds.
- Rarely use a telephone, kneel, crawl, climb ladders, reach/work above shoulder, grasp forcefully.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Travel locally and cross-university.
WORK STANDARDS:
- When conducting university business, must comply with the California Vehicle Code and Stanford University driving requirements.
- Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
- Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
- Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.
Why Stanford is for You
Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:
- Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
- A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
- A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
- Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
- Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
