Project Manager

Job purpose:

The project manager drives planning and execution of high-priority initiatives within Institutional Development, a unit in the President’s Office that aligns presidential vision with operational execution. The role translates institutional priorities into actionable project plans across key areas including organizational transformation, senior hiring and appointments, culture development, and institutional goal-setting and key performance indicator (KPI) tracking. The incumbent manages project delivery in close coordination with academic, research, and administrative leaders across the institution.

Key responsibilities:

Project management and administrative coordination

Manage assigned President’s Office priority initiatives from scoping through implementation, evaluation, and handover, ensuring alignment with presidential direction and institutional objectives.

Develop project plans defining outcomes, deliverables, milestones, ownership, resources, budgets, risks, dependencies, and measures of success.

Lead cross-functional workstreams, resolve delivery issues, and recommend corrective actions or changes to scope and priorities for leadership approval.

Manage project expectations by maintaining clear communication with sponsors, stakeholders, and team members.

Evaluate outcomes against agreed objectives and capture lessons learned to improve project methods, governance, and reporting.

Research and analysis

Prepare analytical research, benchmarking, options assessments, and recommendations to inform initiative design and management decisions.

Provide timely, accurate analysis and reporting to support leadership planning, prioritization, and decision-making.

Governance and decision support

Coordinate assigned leadership governance processes, including meeting cycles, agendas, briefing materials, decision papers, and action follow-up.

Synthesize evidence, delivery implications, and options into clear recommendations for leadership consideration.

Maintain decision and action logs with accountable owners and deadlines; track implementation and escalate unresolved matters through agreed channels.

Executive-ready communications

Prepare progress reports, presentations, and documentation to inform leadership and decision making.

Review materials for accuracy, consistency, completeness, formatting, and alignment with approved templates and institutional standards.

Develop dashboards and leadership reviews that explain progress, performance gaps, risks, and decisions required.

Cross-functional collaboration

Build effective working relationships across the university, clarify responsibilities, and secure timely contributions to shared deliverables.

Manage delivery of agreed projects with relevant departments that support and enable effective handover to accountable owners.

Team operations and support

Support Institutional Development Team day-to-day operations, including coordinating meetings, note-taking, and maintaining records and files.

Coordinate the preparation, submission, and follow-up of expense reimbursement claims, ensuring complete supporting documentation and required approvals.

Prepare, submit, and track purchase requisitions and other administrative requests, working with Procurement, Finance, and relevant teams to secure approvals and support timely processing in line with university procedures.

Other duties

Contribute to university-wide programs, including orientation, wellbeing initiatives, global observances, leadership development, and personal growth activities.

Perform all other duties as reasonably directed by the line manager that are commensurate with these functional objectives.

Qualifications and criteria:

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in project management, business administration, organizational development, public administration, or a relevant discipline.

A postgraduate degree is preferred.

Essential:

Minimum 8 years of progressive project management experience, including experience with consultancy firms or leading academic institutions.

Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional projects and translate strategic objectives into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.

Experience delivering organizational transformation, institutional development, or strategic initiatives, with responsibility for risks, resources, and stakeholder alignment.

Experience supporting senior leadership decisions through analysis, briefing papers, presentations, and performance reporting.

Ability to influence stakeholders across complex organizations, manage competing priorities, and adapt to changing requirements.

Excellent written communication, analytical judgment, and discretion in handling sensitive institutional and personnel matters.

Preferred:

Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent certification.

Experience with institutional planning, leadership governance, culture programs, or senior appointment and succession processes.