Senior Project Manager - SMS Implementation

Employment Category: Full-Time, Fixed Term (18 months)

Location: Vancouver, BC (Hybrid)

Reports To: Registrar

Primary Purpose

We are looking for an experienced and hands-on Senior Project Manager with a strong technical background and expertise in system architecture to lead the implementation of Student Management Systems (SMS). This role is responsible for managing the project at a strategic level while also contributing to technical discussions, solution design, and issue resolution. The position requires a combination of project leadership, technical knowledge, and architectural understanding to ensure the successful delivery of the initiative.

Specific Responsibilities

The Senior Project Manager - Student Management System Implementation will, at various times, be responsible for the following as well as other related duties as assigned to support UCW's business objectives, mission, and purpose:

• Oversee the end-to-end implementation of Student Management Systems (SMS).
• Develop and execute comprehensive project plans, including scope, timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Provide architectural oversight to ensure the scalability, security, and performance of the SMS solution.
• Participate in technical discussions and provide hands-on support in system design, data migration, and integration.
• Collaborate with IT teams, business stakeholders, and third-party vendors to ensure alignment with organizational needs.
• Identify and mitigate risks, troubleshoot issues, and implement proactive solutions.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, data security standards, and system reliability.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement through meetings, progress reporting, and project documentation.
• Lead system testing, training, and change management efforts to support successful adoption.
• Support system integration, data migration, and performance optimization.
• Promote continuous improvement by incorporating best practices and lessons learned.

Position Requirements

Competencies:

• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical capabilities, with the ability to troubleshoot technical issues and contribute to solution development.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with developers, architects, and engineers to ensure technical success.
• Ability to optimize system performance and support integration and configuration efforts.
• Adaptability in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
• Effective communication across both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Architecture, Business Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of project management experience, including at least 5 years leading Student Management System (SMS) implementations.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in SMS architecture, database structures, and system integration.
• Hands-on experience with software architecture, system design, and cloud-based deployments.
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Student Information Systems (SIS) such as PowerSchool, Banner, or comparable platforms.
• Project management certifications such as PMP, PRINCE2, or Agile/Scrum are preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with cloud-based SMS solutions and SaaS platforms.
• Knowledge of data migration strategies, API integration, and microservices architecture.
• Strong proficiency in SQL, scripting, and system configuration.
• Familiarity with the higher education sector and its operational context.

Some travel may be required.

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