Program Development Operations Manager

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 310

Pay Range: $88,300.00 - $132,400.00

Job Description

The Program Development Operations Manager provides strategic, operational, and communications support to the Program Development leadership team. Helps coordinate key initiatives and cross-departmental priorities that advance the department’s goals across Western Governors University (WGU). The role supports the execution of departmental strategy by coordinating initiatives, strengthening communication, and helping establish processes that enable teams to remain aligned on priorities and engagement of the team.

Working closely with leaders across Program Development, this role helps translate strategic direction into coordinated action by organizing leadership communications, supporting projects and initiative planning, and facilitating collaboration across all teams within the department. The position serves as a central resource for coordinating initiatives, supporting change management efforts, and ensuring key information and decisions are communicated clearly across the department.

Program Development operates as an integrated organization across the university. This role supports alignment across locations by coordinating department communications, facilitating cross-team collaboration, and assisting with the planning and tracking of strategic initiatives and departmental priorities.

The position also collaborates with university partners to support alignment of priorities, operational planning, and execution of key initiatives.

 

Strategic and Operational Support

• Provides operational and coordination support for departmental strategic initiatives and leadership priorities.
• Assists leadership in organizing and tracking strategic initiatives and key departmental projects.
• Supports the development and documentation, processes, and operational practices.

Project and Initiative Coordination

• Coordinates projects and initiatives across Program Development teams.
• Assists with tracking project timelines, deliverables, and progress toward key milestones.
• Facilitates communication and coordination among stakeholders involved in departmental initiatives.

Communication and Coordination

• Coordinates leadership communications and assists with preparing materials related to departmental initiatives and priorities.
• Helps ensure that key updates, decisions, and information are communicated clearly across teams.
• Supports cross-team collaboration by organizing meetings, documentation, follow-up actions, and engagement.
• Partners with internal communications on behalf of leadership.

Change Management and Process Support

• Supports change management efforts related to departmental initiatives and operational improvements.
• Assists with identifying opportunities to improve processes, communication, coordination across teams, and engagement.
• Helps maintain documentation and resources that support effective departmental operations.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, organizational leadership, project management, or related field.
• Experience supporting projects, strategic initiatives, operations, or program coordination.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders across teams or departments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting senior leaders or leadership teams.
• 5+ years of experience in similar roles.
• Experience working in higher education or within a complex organizational environment.
• Familiarity with project coordination or change management practices.
• Experience supporting cross-functional initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Project coordination and organization
• Stakeholder communication and collaboration
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Organizational and planning skills
• Problem-solving and sound judgment
• Process documentation and operational support
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Location

This position will be located in our Salt Lake City, UT office, 4 days per week, with one day working remotely.

Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Travel Language

This position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed.  Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements.

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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 recruiting@wgu.edu.

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