New

Senior Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Operations

George Washington University

United States, D.C., Washington

Oct 23, 2025

I. JOB OVERVIEW

Job Description Summary:	The Senior Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Operations is an independent contributor role within the central administration of the Division of Student Affairs. This position provides high-level project management, operational oversight, and strategic support for divisional priorities, with a focus on fundraising and development initiatives, talent strategy, culture-building efforts, and VPSA-led strategic projects. The role also develops and implements a comprehensive administrative plan for the timely and accurate management of veteran- and dependent-specific funding, ensuring full compliance with university and federal regulations. This position requires exceptional organizational skills, the ability to work independently across multiple functional areas, and the capacity to manage sensitive information with discretion. Key Responsibilities Family Engagement Develop, implement, and assess programs, communications, and events that strengthen connections between families and the university, with a focus on supporting student success and belonging. Serve as a secondary point of contact for families by providing resources, guidance, and opportunities for engagement through the Families Council, orientation, and ongoing university initiatives. Development Support Partner with the VPSA and Development & Alumni Relations to identify fundraising priorities, coordinate donor engagement, and track divisional philanthropic initiatives. Draft donor communications, impact reports, and stewardship materials for VPSA signature initiatives. Coordinate the preparation of proposals, briefing materials, and presentations for donor meetings, ensuring alignment with divisional priorities and institutional advancement strategies. Track and analyze fundraising metrics for divisional initiatives, preparing regular progress reports for the VPSA and Development partners to inform strategy and donor engagement efforts. Division Culture & People Processes Oversees divisional search, hiring, onboarding, and offboarding processes by coordinating hiring committees, developing schedules, preparing onboarding materials that reflect organizational culture, and ensuring smooth transitions during offboarding. Lead projects that strengthen divisional culture, including recognition programs, engagement events, and initiatives that advance equity, inclusion, and belonging. Strategic Initiatives Serve as a project manager for select VPSA-led strategic initiatives, ensuring deliverables are met on time and within scope. Coordinate cross-functional teams to align divisional work with institutional priorities. Serve as support administrator for the VPSA University wide committees and initiatives Veteran & Dependent Funding Administration Develop and execute a strategic plan to ensure timely and accurate processing of veteran- and dependent-specific funding in compliance with GW policies and federal regulations. Serve as a primary point of contact for veteran and dependent funding inquiries, collaborating with the Office of Military and Veteran Services, Student Accounts, and relevant federal agencies. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulatory requirements and implement process improvements as needed. This position may perform other duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
Minimum Qualifications:	Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 5 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master's degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 3 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:	Strategic & Operational Competencies * Demonstrate experience managing complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, timelines, and deliverables. * Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to inform decision-making and strategy. * Ability to design and implement planning processes, track metrics, and support continuous improvement efforts aligned with institutional goals. Communication & Relationship Management * Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft executive-level reports, briefings, and presentations. * Skilled in stakeholder engagement with a demonstrated ability to work effectively across units, with students, faculty, staff, and senior leadership. * Experience facilitating meetings, workgroups, or retreats that result in actionable outcomes and consensus-building. Project Tools & Technical Skills * Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Monday, Trello, Airtable or equivalent) and Google Office Suite. * Familiarity with survey platforms, data visualization tools, and/or institutional research practices is a plus. Personal Attributes * Self-starter with strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. * Adaptive, collaborative, and mission-driven, with a deep interest in supporting student success and institutional excellence.
Hiring Range	$93,025.48 - $127,910.05
GW Staff Approach to Pay	How is pay for new employees determined at GW?

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.

II. JOB DETAILS

Campus Location:	Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.
College/School/Department:	Division of Student Affairs
Family	Finance and Business
Sub-Family	Project Management
Stream	Individual Contributor
Level	Level 3
Full-Time/Part-Time:	Full-Time
Hours Per Week:	40+
Work Schedule:	Monday through Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm, with occasional nights and weekends
Will this job require the employee to work on site?	Yes
Employee Onsite Status	On-campus (in person)
Telework:	No
Required Background Check:	Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search
Special Instructions to Applicants:	Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status
Internal Applicants Only?	Yes (University Wide)
Posting Number:	S013882
Job Open Date:	10/22/2025
Job Close Date:	10/25/2025
If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:
Background Screening	Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.
EEO Statement:	The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.