Project Manager / Engagement Manager - Higher Education

Overview

Avaap is looking for a Workday Engagement Manager with extensive expertise in the Higher Education sector to direct complex Workday implementation projects for colleges and universities. This role acts as the lead for project planning, execution, monitoring, and delivery, ensuring projects meet timelines, budgets, and client expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the end-to-end delivery of multifaceted Workday implementation initiatives specifically for Higher Education clients, from start through go-live and post-deployment stabilization.
• Create and update comprehensive project schedules, resource allocations, milestone tracking, budgets, and documentation.
• Manage project scope, timelines, budgets, risks, issues, assumptions, dependencies, and any change management requests critically during the project lifecycle.
• Lead project governance activities including steering committee meetings, status updates, and effective client communication.
• Ensure timely completion of deliverables by enforcing accountability across project teams and aligning outcomes with Avaap’s quality standards.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary Workday consulting teams spanning functional areas such as technical, integrations, reporting, testing, data conversion, training, and organizational change management.
• Work closely with client sponsors, PMO, and leadership to foresee challenges and facilitate prompt decision-making to overcome obstacles.
• Collaborate with Stakeholders such as Client Executives, Practice Leadership, and Resource Management to guarantee appropriate allocation and management of resources and successful project execution.
• Track and report on financial health of projects including forecasting, budget adherence, utilization, and overall engagement status.
• Prepare and present executive-level reporting encompassing project progress, financial status, risk evaluation, and mitigation plans.
• Adhere strictly to Avaap's project management methodologies, standards, and best practices throughout implementations.
• Promote a high-performing team culture through mentorship and encouraging continuous process improvements.

Required Qualifications

• Preferred but not mandatory: Workday Project Management Certification.
• Proven success leading enterprise-level Workday implementation projects, ideally including Workday Student, within consulting environments.
• Solid experience in Higher Education institutions with understanding of their governance, operational processes, and business framework.
• Capability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously, effectively prioritizing and delivering quality client service.
• Experienced in project financial oversight, including budgeting, scheduling, scope control, and resource management.
• Strong leadership ability paired with excellent verbal, written, facilitation, and organizational skills.
• Competence in engaging executive sponsors, diverse stakeholders, and cross-functional teams efficiently.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving talents, anticipating and mitigating project risks effectively.
• Willingness to travel as dictated by client or business requirements.

Additional Information

• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written are essential.
• Work requires remaining seated indoors working at a computer.
• Must thrive in a fast-paced and deadline-driven setting.
• Strong passion for superior customer service and cooperative teamwork.
• Flexible to operate remotely or from Avaap’s office locations.
• Permanent U.S. work authorization mandatory.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this role is $140,000 to $180,000 annually with the potential for an additional 25% variable compensation. Hiring level and salary placement will be determined during the interview process and may vary accordingly.

• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance including fertility benefits
• Paid parental leave
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Company-funded disability and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program offering behavioral health and counseling services
• Fitness subsidy