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The Universities of Wisconsin are a premier system of public higher education serving more than 162,000 students. Awarding nearly 37,000 degrees annually, the universities are Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Through a constellation of 13 universities statewide, the Universities of Wisconsin are a tremendous academic, cultural, and economic resource for Wisconsin, the nation, and the world.
The Universities of Wisconsin Administration assists in establishing policies, planning the programmatic financial and physical development of the Universities. UWSA supports the Universities in delivering transformative educational outcomes and research that expands the boundaries of knowledge. We work to extend the value of our universities beyond the boundaries of the campuses, seeking to enhance the quality of life for all in Wisconsin and beyond, in fulfillment of the Wisconsin Idea.
The Office of Enrollment and Student Success provides support to the Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs, the President of the Universities of Wisconsin, and UW universities in the development of policies and practices that improve the recruitment, retention, and ultimate success for students in the Universities of Wisconsin. Of particular importance are efforts to maximize the educational benefits of diversity, maintain inclusive, equitable, and safe institutional environments, and engage institutional enrollment management and student affairs units as vital resources in fostering access and student success.
NOTE: The individual in this position will be expected to work in the office in Madison, WI three days per week. Occasional demands of the office may require additional days in office.
POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Director for Strategic Enrollment, this position serves as a resource for implementing strategic enrollment initiatives across the Universities of Wisconsin and providing project management and operational support for the office. This individual will manage multiple projects, initiatives and tasks simultaneously ranging in degree of complexity to support enrollment and recruitment related initiatives. They will be expected to research, analyze data and information, develop plans, presentations, reports and proposals and track progress on multiple initiatives. Effective collaboration with a range of constituents within the Universities of Wisconsin Administration, across all 13 UWs as well as other K-12 and higher education partners is an ongoing and essential part of this position. The Project Manager for Strategic Enrollment Initiatives must be able to work effectively in a highly complex and dynamic organization while juggling multiple, often shifting, priorities.
An ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator, planner, collaborator and problem-solver. They will have exceptional attention to detail, be creative and innovative and have experience using a range of tools and strategies to plan, implement and manage projects. They will demonstrate a constant focus on the user experience, and they will be dedicated to continuous learning to develop new skills that allow them to effectively manage projects, identify efficiencies and affect change. This individual may supervise personnel and/or other resources in the course of their work.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously including the development, implementation, tracking and reporting aspects of each project.
- Provide consultation, guidance, and operational coordination and support in the development, implementation, and evaluation of enrollment growth and student retention strategies across the Universities of Wisconsin, in alignment with systemwide strategic goals.
- Provide operational coordination and support in collaboration with Universities of Wisconsin Administration and campus colleagues on ongoing strategic enrollment initiatives, including, but not limited to, Direct Admit Wisconsin, Transfer Wisconsin, dual enrollment, residency determination, enrollment-related policies and FAFSA completion.
- Conduct research, benchmarking and analysis in support of enrollment-related projects and policies
- Support the efforts of strategic enrollment-related campus stakeholder groups across Universities of Wisconsin as assigned by supervisor, including coordination of and participation in meetings.
- Collaborate with institutional stakeholders to identify evolving needs/areas for improvement and assist with identifying strategies that support campuses in addressing strategic enrollment challenges and opportunities.
- Prepare office correspondence, reports, memoranda, presentations, and conference proceedings, including documents of a confidential nature.
- Provide program management and operational leadership with the planning and development of meetings, webinars, and trainings, including staff retreats and strategic planning exercises.
- Create and manage office and initiative websites including updating content and managing registration and evaluation forms.
- Receive, process, and respond to student and campus related inquiries.
- Stay up-to-date on national and regional trends in enrollment, retention, and completion and share information with institutions to support their efforts.
- Perform other duties and assist with special projects as requested by supervisor.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- At least 3 years of experience working in a higher education setting that includes project management, stakeholder engagement, and/or enrollment and student success efforts.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple, complex projects and engage successfully with a range of constituents.
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize between many diverse assignments, escalate and resolve issues independently and operate under tight deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with a variety of stakeholder groups.
- Excellent communication (verbal, written, electronic) and organizational skills.
- Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (i.e., Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
- 5 or more years of experience working in a higher education setting that includes project management, stakeholder engagement, and/or enrollment management.
- Experience working in a 4-year higher education institution.
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate and coordinate teams in a higher education setting.
- Knowledge of issues and national trends related to recruitment, enrollment, transfer, retention and degree completion.
- Experience working with project management tools (e.g., Slack, Asana).
- Experience in analyzing and synthesizing a variety of different inputs to create reports and other documents in a variety of formats.
- Experience working with Excel (intermediate level proficiency), Qualtrics, Tableau or other data visualization products.
- Familiarity with administrative research and procedures in higher education or similar complex organizations).
- Prior experience developing and/or editing websites.
COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE
Inclusive Excellence is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for Universities of Wisconsin. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the Universities of Wisconsin community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning, research, scholarship, creative activity, community service, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
Universities of Wisconsin fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who serve the State of Wisconsin and the public good.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
This offer of employment is conditional pending the results of a criminal background check and a reference check process that includes questions regarding employee misconduct, sexual violence and sexual harassment. If you have prior work history within the past 7 years with Universities of Wisconsin, your personnel file will also be reviewed for employee misconduct. If the results are unacceptable, the offer will be withdrawn or, if you have started employment, your employment will be terminated.
The Universities of Wisconsin will not sponsor a work visa for this position at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9 upon hire.
WORK LOCATION
The office location is located at Van Hise Hall in Madison, WI. An in-office requirement is expected three days per week with the option to work the remaining two days off-site/remote. Telecommuting agreements are subject to change at any time.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The Project Manager for Strategic Enrollment Initiatives is a full-time, exempt academic staff position.
Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within a range of $72,000- $78,000 commensurate with the candidate’s education, related experience, and qualifications.
The Universities of Wisconsin employees receive an excellent benefits package. To learn more about the benefits package, review the Universities of Wisconsin Employee Benefits Quick Guide (FA/AS/LI) or Universities of Wisconsin Employee Benefits Quick Guide (US). Use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator to calculate the estimated value of your compensation and benefits.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
To ensure full consideration, please submit application materials as soon as possible. Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through 11:59 pm, March 18, 2025. However, applications may be accepted until the position has been filled.
- Go to the UWSA Applicant Portal to submit your materials online and select the appropriate applicant portal, either External Applicants or Internal Applicants and click on the position title that you want to apply for.
- To receive full consideration, interested applicants are required to apply online and provide:
- Resume (PDF Format)
- Cover letter addressing your experience and education as it applies to all minimum and preferred qualifications (PDF Format)
Failing to submit the required application documents may disqualify your application.
3. Submit your application.
SPECIAL NOTES:
If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request by contacting Kristina Williston at kristina.williston@wisconsin.edu.
The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. §. 19.36(7).
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran, and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellent through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
Questions may be addressed to: Kristina Williston, HR Generalist at kristina.williston@wisconsin.edu.