Senior Project Manager, Information Technology

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)*, the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for UW-Madison, is seeking a highly skilled Senior IT Project Manager to join our dynamic team. As a key member of our Project Management Office, you will be responsible for overseeing and managing critical IT projects, driving improvements in business processes, collaborating with leadership to gather information for decision-making, and leading the design, testing, and implementation of solutions and products. Depending on project needs, the Senior IT Project Manager may also fulfill roles such as a Product Owner, Scrum Master, or Business Analyst. Expertise in project management methodologies is essential for success in this role. 

We can hire this role 100% remote for the right experience level.  Remote candidates must reside in the following states to be considered: Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Texas, and Wisconsin. 

Who is WFAA?
The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is a private, nonprofit corporation that encourages individuals and organizations to make gifts to the university and to connect with the UW. In 2014, the UW Foundation merged with the Wisconsin Alumni Association® to better serve a growing population of UW alumni and donors. We believe that private support grows out of good relationships between campus leaders, faculty and program staff who need support, and the alumni and friends who want to invest in UW–Madison. We provide important engagement opportunities to link UW–Madison alumni to each other and to their alma mater, building a strong community of Badgers.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Just as the university community benefits from differing viewpoints, perspectives, and experiences, inclusion and diversity are imperative for the success of our mission. WFAA values people and the differences that they bring to the organization, and creates an environment in which all staff members and constituents feel respected and have opportunities to thrive.  

Planning and Management of IT Projects

• Manage a variety of IT projects from initiation to completion, ensuring alignment with business goals and objectives.
• Collaborate closely with senior leadership to gather requirements, analyze data, and provide insights to support strategic decision-making.
• Lead cross-functional teams through the design, testing, and implementation phases of projects.
• Ensure projects are delivered on-time, within scope, and within budget, while maintaining high quality standards.
• Monitor project progress, manage risks, and communicate status updates to stakeholders.

Utilizing Project Management Tools and Techniques

• Utilize project management software such as Microsoft Project, Jira, or similar tools to create detailed project plans, define milestones, and allocate resources effectively.
• Ensure alignment and transparency to project status by using collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams to facilitate regular team meetings, status updates, and stakeholder communications
• Implement regular reviews of project milestones and variance analysis to keep projects on track and within scope.
• Optimize resource allocation based on project priorities, skills, and availability, ensuring efficient utilization and minimizing bottlenecks.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, generate regular progress reports, and prepare presentations for stakeholders to provide project updates and insights.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by analyzing lessons learned, implementing best practices, and adapting project management processes based on feedback and insights.

Additional Roles

• Working with leadership, define and implement improvements to business processes, leveraging technology solutions where applicable.
• Act as a Scrum Master to facilitate agile/scrum processes, including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives.
• Perform business analysis activities such as requirements gathering, stakeholder interviews, and documentation.
• Mentor and coach team members on project management best practices and agile methodologies.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Project Management, Business Administration, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 8 + years of experience as an IT Project Manager or in related roles, with a demonstrated history of managing complex projects and teams.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering IT projects that drive business outcomes.
• Ability to effectively manage projects utilizing a diverse range of methodologies including Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Waterfall, or hybrid approaches.
• Proficiency in utilizing project management tools such as Jira, Workfront, and MS Project for project planning, tracking, and monitoring.
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills, with the ability to influence and motivate cross-functional teams.
• Experience in business process improvement, with a focus on optimizing workflows and efficiency.

Other Qualifications:

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, coupled with strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills; ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
• Strong organizational skills, including attention to detail and multitasking skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Expert understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC) principles.
• Experience with CRM, ERP and/or Financial Reporting systems is desired.
• Certification in Project Management (PMP, Prince2) and Agile (CSM, PMI-ACP) is a plus.

Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining their qualifications and interest in the position.

WFAA is committed to provide our employees with an environment that is inspiring, creative and respectful.  We offer competitive pay and an excellent benefits program, which includes a 10% 401k contribution after 1 year of service!

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer *The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is the “doing business as” name of the merged organization comprising the University of Wisconsin Foundation (supportuw.org) and the Wisconsin Alumni Association (uwalumni.com). Its legal corporate name is registered as the University of Wisconsin Foundation.