Project Manager

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. This position requires the employee to be a professing Christian and to be willing to support the Christian mission of ACU.

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The Project Manager serves within the Project Management Office (PMO) at ACU Dallas, supporting cross-functional initiatives across departments such as Enrollment, Marketing, Student Services, IT, Finance, and Operations. This role oversees projects from concept to completion using ACU’s project management frameworks, ensuring deliverables align with institutional priorities, budget constraints, and quality standards.

Major Responsibilities

• Project Management

• Cross-functional Coordination

• Stakeholder Engagement

• Continuous Improvement

Essential Duties

A. Project Management

• Oversee full project lifecycle: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure.

• Create project charters, timelines, communication plans, and risk assessments.

• Manage resources, track milestones, and report on project status to leadership.

• Facilitate team meetings, resolve roadblocks, and drive accountability

• Ensure alignment with strategic goals, operational objectives, and stakeholder needs.

B. Cross-functional Coordination

• Collaborate with campus leaders and departments to define project scope and objectives.

• Translate strategic initiatives into actionable project plans.

• Foster collaboration across units, ensuring timely execution and shared ownership.

• Liaise with third-party vendors or partners as needed for project support.

C. Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain strong communication with internal stakeholders at all levels.

• Schedule and lead project check-ins, presentations, and post-project reviews.

• Provide excellent service to teams to ensure alignment and stakeholder satisfaction.

• Support change management efforts related to new systems, tools, or workflows.

D. Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to the development and refinement of PMO tools, templates, and processes.

• Share project management best practices across departments.

• Stay current on trends and tools in higher education project management.

Mission Alignment

• Support ACU’s Mission: Educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world.

• Support ACU’s Vision: Position ACU as the premier university for the education of Christ-centered global leaders. Built upon rigorous academics and leadership development, we are preparing talented students to become Christ’s “salt and light” in the world by:

  • Producing leaders who think critically, globally, and missionally.

  • Building distinctive and innovative programs.

  • Delivering a unique, Christ-centered experience that draws students into community.

  • Expanding the university’s Christian influence and educational reach nationally and internationally.

Professional Development and Skills Requirements

A. Required Skills

• Must have exceptional interpersonal skills; professional, energetic, flexible, motivated, and able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, candidates, clients, and others.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Must be comfortable with conflict and equipped to manage and productively resolve conflict when it arises.

• Must have extensive experience in project management and a clear understanding of project management methodologies.

• Proficient in project management tools (e.g., Monday.com, Asana, MS Project).

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Adept at facilitating meetings and engaging cross-functional teams.

• Comfortable working with data, metrics, and business reporting tools.

• Mature problem-solving skills

B. Preferred Skills

• Professional experience in higher education.
  Professional experience supporting remote and hybrid teams.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Education, or related field.

• 3–5 years of relevant experience in project management.

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred or willingness to obtain.

Physical Demands

• Most work is performed in front of a computer and on the telephone; one must be able to use the computer and remain stationary for long periods. 

• Manage conversations in person, online, and by telephone. 

• Limited travel – locations vary, and some overnight travel may be necessary. 

• Work well under pressure and manage stress well. 

• Communicate clearly: speak, read, write, and hear clearly to perform essential functions. 

ACU does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal law.

ACU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university's financial and physical assets. Therefore, Abilene Christian University conducts background checks on all candidates for employment in security sensitive positions. As a current employee, it will be determined if you need an additional background check upon your hire.