Strategic Project Manager

Howell, Michigan | Full-Time | Exempt

About The Opportunity

Cleary University is preparing to launch a significant institutional transformation - and we’re looking for the project leader who will help us build it right from the start. The Strategic Project Manager will serve as Cleary’s internal lead for a major enterprise systems implementation, coordinating the work of campus stakeholders, technical staff, and our implementation vendor from planning through go-live and beyond. This is a high-visibility role in the Office of the President with reach across every functional area of the university - from Financial Aid and the Registrar to Finance, HR, and IT. Beyond the systems implementation, this role manages a portfolio of presidential and institutional priority projects, serving as a key connector between executive leadership, the Cabinet, and cross-functional teams. If you’re a seasoned project manager who thrives in complex, multi-stakeholder environments and wants to do meaningful work that shapes how a university operates - this role is for you.

Reports to: Chief of Staff, Office of the President

What You’ll Do

• Serve as Cleary’s internal project lead for our enterprise systems implementation, coordinating with the vendor’s project team from kickoff through go-live and post-implementation stabilization
• Lead a matrix of module managers drawn from departments across the institution, proactively managing competing priorities and keeping the project on track
• Drive business process documentation, requirements alignment, data migration planning, user acceptance testing, and change management across functional departments
• Provide regular project status updates and risk assessments to the Chief of Staff, senior leadership, and the Board
• Manage a portfolio of high-priority institutional projects from initiation through completion - developing charters, work plans, and stakeholder communications on behalf of the President’s Office
• Build repeatable project governance practices and documentation standards that will serve Cleary long after this implementation is complete
  
  
  

Required

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in business, project management, information systems, organizational leadership, or a related field
• 5 years of project management experience, including demonstrated success leading large-scale, cross-functional projects in a higher education or similarly complex institutional environment
• Proven ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and manage competing priorities under deadline pressure
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills - you can translate complex technical work into clear language for a President, Cabinet, and Board audience
• Working knowledge of higher education administrative functions (Financial Aid, Registrar, Finance, HR) or demonstrated ability to develop that fluency quickly
• Proficiency with project management tools (Asana, Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, or equivalent)
• Sound professional judgment and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion
  
  
  

Preferred

• Experience leading or participating in an ERP, SIS, or enterprise software implementation in higher education
• Familiarity with higher education data flows, integrations, and compliance considerations (FERPA, HIPAA, GLBA)
• Formal certification in project or change management (PMP, Agile, Lean Six Sigma, Prosci, or equivalent)
  
  
  

What Makes a Strong Candidate

You’re someone who builds trust quickly across all levels of an organization - functional staff, technical teams, and senior leadership alike. You hold teams accountable while navigating the human side of change. You bring solutions with your problems. And you’re energized, not overwhelmed, by a fast-moving institutional environment where the stakes are real.

Location and Schedule

This position is based on-site at Cleary University’s campus in Howell, Michigan. Regular on-site presence is required. Occasional evening or weekend work may be needed during critical project phases or board reporting cycles.

Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience. Cleary University offers a competitive benefits package including health coverage, retirement contributions, and tuition benefits.

Cleary University is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.