Fast Facts

WGU is seeking a Program Portfolio Manager focused on Student Support to manage strategic projects that enhance the student experience. This full-time position based in Salt Lake City requires expertise in educational practices and project management.

Responsibilities: Manage strategic initiatives, act as a liaison between stakeholders, enhance student outcomes, implement school initiatives, and analyze data to drive program improvements.

Skills: Strong communication, project management, data analysis, and leadership skills; deep understanding of student needs and experience in higher education; ability to collaborate in a matrixed environment.

Qualifications: Doctoral, master's, or bachelor's degree with relevant experience; instructional background is preferred; experience in developing and implementing strategies in a post-secondary environment is essential.

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Compensation: $73000 - $109400 / 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 308Pay Range: $73,000.00 - $109,400.00

Job Description

Job Qualifications: 

• Doctoral degree with two years of related experience, master's degree with four years of related experience, bachelor's degree with seven years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• An instructional or faculty background preferred to provide the required expansive knowledge of instructional practices and the student experience
• Experience developing, delivering, and evaluating strategies at a post-secondary institution
• Proven ability to produce results to operational improvements that impact the student experience
• Project and/or change management knowledge/experience preferred to effectively drive change management and project management processes with confidence
• Smooth ability to communicate with high-level leaders and achieve successful collaboration across multiple departments, i.e. Faculty Experience and college partners
• Experience utilizing data analysis to demonstrate impact of large projects is quite helpful

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Manage implementation, change, and strategic projects.
• Act as a liaison between academic program leaders, the college, and university stakeholders for the designated portfolio of work. Participates in and contributes to regular staff, department, and meetings with college partners as appropriate. 
• The individual represents their portfolio at meetings related to the student experience and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Focuses on the student’s academic journey to ensure that we deliver programs that are seamless, frictionless and deliver on our student promise of degree and career success. 
• Possess a comprehensive understanding of the student's journey allowing for collaboration, proposal of pilot studies, policy and procedure adjustments, and leading innovation implementation. Maintains a solid understanding of college and institutional goals and priorities as they relate to the student experience and the school offerings.  
• Implements school initiatives to enhance outcomes and enrich the student's program experience and deliver against the strategic vision.
• Ensures integration and coordination of any new strategic initiatives and services with programs currently being offered by the college and university. 
• Exhibit expertise in the unique needs of WGU students, particularly in engagement, retention, and satisfaction, leveraging this knowledge for strategic planning and ongoing improvement.
• Maintain a solid grasp of college and institutional objectives pertaining to the student experience and the school offerings.
• This individual is confident in reading and interpreting statistical information and data relevant to the student experience. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

• Customer or student obsession with a focus on driving successful outcomes for them.
• Understanding of the industry trends, job opportunities, local student needs, and educational market trends in the discipline.
• Credible voice of the department in external partnerships and presentation opportunities.
• Execution focused with the ability to dive-deep and live in the details with a fast-paced weekly execution cadence.
• Ability to organize and coordinate activities and results across cross-functional teams.
• Ability to collaborate with and lead teams, including those in a remote environment, while demonstrating excellence, integrity, and respect.
• Ability to work effectively in a highly matrixed organization.
• Ability to build relationships and influence at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Ability to be an agent of change in a rapidly changing environment.
• Proven ability to analyze data to identify trends and drive innovation.
• Sound judgement and decision-making skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated initiative, creativity, and adaptability.
• Deep understanding of student needs at post-secondary institutions and WGU's unique student demographic, including competency-based education.
• Leadership skills encompassing guidance, coaching, and training, aligned with WGU's leadership principles.

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.