Fast Facts

WGU is seeking an Academic Portfolio Program Manager to lead the development and management of academic programs, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and enhancing student experiences.

Responsibilities: Oversee academic program lifecycles, lead cross-functional collaboration, track program health, and implement governance structures to ensure alignment with institutional goals.

Skills: Strong leadership, project management, communication, and organizational skills; ability to influence stakeholders and manage multiple complex programs in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and PMP certification required; 5 years of experience in program management; preference for candidates with a Master's degree and 7 years of experience.

Location: Salt Lake City Office, United States of America

Compensation: $106700 - $165400 / Annually

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade: Professional 312Pay Range: $106,700.00 - $165,400.00

Job Description

Oversees a portfolio of academic programs and projects that align with strategic institutional initiatives. This role ensures that each program and product deliver on its objectives and key results (OKRs), supports institutional goals, and enhances the student experience. Leads program update meetings with project managers and business owners, monitors program health, and communicates status, risks, timelines, and deliverables to key stakeholders and executive sponsors. This role requires strong collaboration across cross-functional teams and a deep understanding of operational program management and strategic alignment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversees the development, execution, health, and full lifecycle of assigned academic programs and products (initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and closing) while ensuring alignment with academic strategic initiatives, institutional goals, and stakeholder expectations.
• Provides thought leadership and recommends innovations and partners cross-functionally for the timely execution of new programs and projects that support the growth of the portfolio.
• Collaborates with external and internal stakeholders across organizations to design and execute programs that enhance intended outcomes.
• Works closely with cross-functional program, project, and product managers, and other internal and external teams to ensure seamless execution.
• Facilitates regular program updates with project managers and business owners, clearly communicating status, risks, and deliverables to executive sponsors and key stakeholders to ensure transparency and alignment.
• Implements program governance structures; and tracks and reports on program health, delivery progress, and impact metrics.
• Drives a culture of experimentation, measurement, and learning. Use data to identify program trends, improve delivery, and enhance both program and supporting project outcomes.
• Ensures that all projects and products within the portfolio contribute to broader strategic objectives. Collaborate with academic leaders to maintain program relevance and impact.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to build relationships and influence at all levels, both internally and externally
• Proven ability to successfully lead multiple programs and projects
• Proven ability to manage complex programs and lead cross-functional teams
• Ability to organize, coordinate, and direct team activities and results
• Ability to coach, direct and develop direct reports
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills
• Ability to be an agent of change in a rapidly changing environment
• Strong organizational and demonstrated communication and change management skills
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and pay attention to detail
• Requires composure under pressure, dealing with ambiguity and comfort working closely with executive leadership.

Education        

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• PMP or equivalent certification.

Experience

• 5 years of experience in program management, project portfolio management, or strategic initiative leadership.
• Experience in higher education or operational program delivery]]

Preferred Education    

• Master’s degree in a related field.

Preferred Experience   

• 7 years of experience in program management, project portfolio management, or strategic initiative leadership.
• Experience with agile frameworks (SAFe, Scrum@Scale).
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex programs in higher education.

This job description includes a general representation of job requirements rather than a comprehensive inventory of all required responsibilities or work activities. The contents of this document or related job requirements may change at any time with or without notice.

Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected].

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.