Program Manager, Office of Organizational Excellence

The University of Virginia invites applications for the position of Program Manager in the Office of Organizational Excellence (OE) to support core services of strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, service and process improvement, organizational change, and learning programs. In partnership with the University community, this dynamic role advances institutional priorities and the University’s core mission, contributing to OE's vision "to unleash and amplify the impact of UVA."

The position supports the university through project coordination and execution, communications, and operational support of OE initiatives. This role is ideal for a proactive, detail-oriented project and communications professional who can bring structure to complex work, synthesize information clearly, and build coordination across multiple stakeholders. The Program Manager helps ensure high-quality execution of services, seamless program delivery, and exceptional experience for the University community.

Organizational Excellence (OE) serves as a pan-institutional resource and partners with schools, units, and individuals across Grounds to shape strategy and action, strengthen mission delivery, and elevate student success by:

• Co-creating actionable plans
• Improving processes and services to enable teaching, research, and service
• Enhancing support for student learning and experiences
• Advancing organizational effectiveness and efficiency
• Fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation

Responsibilities

Initiative and Consulting Support

• Support the delivery of initiatives throughout the lifecycle of intake, design, delivery, and follow-up.
• Track and organize project work (e.g. action items, decisions, deadlines)
• Prepare meeting materials, presentations, reports, and project documentation.
• Assist with synthesis and analysis of qualitative and quantitative information, such as stakeholder feedback, survey data, and research.
• Maintain project-level and program-level data, metrics, and reporting.
• Identify opportunities to improve project workflows, templates, documentation, and internal coordination practices.
• Partner with offices and units across the institution to support program and project execution and cross-functional coordination.

Communications

• Develop and implement communications related to OE services, programs, and initiatives.  
• Draft and maintain content for websites, newsletters, presentations, annual report, and other communication channels.
• Produce clear, engaging communications using writing, editing, visual design, and layout principles.
• Serve as a point of contact for OE programs and services through outreach and relationship building.

Learning Program Coordination

• Support the development, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement of learning programs.
• Coordinate the annual learning calendar, scheduling, logistics, registration, and participant communications.
• Build relationships with internal and external partners to expand learning opportunities that strengthen organizational capability and address emerging needs across the University.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience with project management, program operations, and communications.
• Experience within a higher education setting or comparable organization.
• Experience supporting multiple stakeholders across a complex organization.
• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field, such as organizational development, higher education, business administration or related field. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently and anticipate needs.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, with the ability to synthesize information and convey it clearly to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team-based, service-oriented environment.
• Ability to execute a broad range of communications functions, including the use of web applications, collaboration tools, and basic graphic design applications.
• Working knowledge of higher education organizations or the ability to quickly learn and navigate a comparable environment.
• Demonstrated adaptability, initiative, and sound judgment in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Seven or more years of relevant professional experience in related field.
• Applied knowledge of project management, change management, organizational development, or other related improvement and innovation approaches and methodologies (e.g. design thinking, strategic planning, facilitation, LEAN, etc.).
• Experience with Microsoft Teams, Qualtrics, web content management systems, presentation software, graphic design applications, and communication platforms.

Required Application Materials: 

• Please apply online, and search for R0087061 and attach:
  • Cover letter to include your interest in the position and your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences
  • Resume or CV and contact information for three references.

Upload all materials into the resume submission field; multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission.

Internal applicants: Search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website. 

This position will remain open until filled. Review of applicants will begin on 9/8/2026 . This is an exempt level, benefited position. The University will perform background checks on all hires (if required) prior to employment. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. For this role, the University will not sponsor or consider candidates requiring sponsorship for employment visas now or in the future.

For finalists, references will be completed via UVA’s standardized process using SkillSurvey. A total of up to five references will be requested via SkillSurvey for top candidates during the final phase of the interview process. A total of three references is required.   

For questions about the position, contact Sarah Collie, Associate VP for Organizational Excellence, at scollie@virginia.edu

For questions about the application process, please contact Daniel Strong, Senior Recruiter at, das6zb@virginia.edu

Salary Range: Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Anticipated range $90,000 - $95,000 per year.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Bachelor's degree required.

Experience: 4+ years of relevant professional experience required. Additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Licensure: Project Management Professional (PMP/PMI) certification preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.