Strategic Operations Project Manager

Arizona College of Nursing is a rapidly growing, nursing school that transforms people’s lives by preparing them for careers in nursing and improving communities through the care its graduates provide. As a leading nurse educator, Arizona College of Nursing offers students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s in nursing in 3 years or less with qualified transfer credits. Our quality nursing curriculum prepares students for an in-demand career to help communities overcome the chronic, well-known, and increasing nursing shortage. Through the execution of a targeted growth strategy, the college plans to meet the growing demand for nurses by launching campuses in markets where bachelor’s prepared nurses are needed.

 

Putting students first, we are dedicated to providing students with an exceptional education in growing healthcare fields; teaching them relevant, required skills for today and the future. Our culture is positive, supportive, and collaborative. As a team, we continually embrace our core values:

 

Passion: We love helping others succeed.
Excellence: We strive to be the best.
Adaptability: We learn, in part by trying new ideas.
Accountability: We own our results.
Integrity: We do the right thing.

Reporting to the Vice President of Strategic Operations, the Strategic Operations Project Manager leads the planning, coordination, and execution of assigned high-priority, cross-functional initiatives that support Arizona College of Nursing’s strategic objectives. This role serves as the day-to-day project leader, bringing structure, accountability, and momentum to complex efforts involving multiple departments.

Essential Responsibilities:

Project Planning and Leadership

• Lead assigned strategic projects from initial scoping through implementation and transition to operational ownership.
• Develop and maintain project charters, project plans, timelines, milestones, workstreams, resource needs, and implementation roadmaps.
• Establish clear project objectives, deliverables, roles, responsibilities, decision-making processes, and measures of success.
• Facilitate project kickoffs, recurring workgroup meetings, decision-making sessions, and implementation readiness discussions.

Cross-Functional Project Execution

• Coordinate work across departments, campuses, functional leaders, subject matter experts, consultants, and external partners.
• Build productive working relationships and influence progress without direct authority over project resources.
• Facilitate problem-solving and help teams develop practical, sustainable solutions.
• Support the transition of completed initiatives to the department responsible for ongoing operations.

Project Reporting and Governance

• Prepare status reports that communicate progress, accomplishments, upcoming milestones, risks, decisions, and support needed.
• Present project updates to Strategic Operations leadership, executive sponsors, steering committees, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate project documentation and provide timely visibility into overall project health.
• Track project performance against agreed-upon scope, schedule, deliverables, and success measures.

Implementation and Continuous Improvement

• Coordinate implementation readiness activities with department leaders, Human Resources, Information Technology, and other internal partners.
• Confirm that processes, systems, communications, training, staffing, and operational ownership are ready for implementation.
• Monitor early implementation results and coordinate resolution of issues during stabilization.
• Conduct post-implementation reviews and document outcomes, lessons learned, and opportunities for improvement.

At Arizona College of Nursing, we believe in a collaborative approach where all colleagues work together towards our shared goals. It's important to note that this list doesn't cover everything you'll be asked to do or need to do. We value adaptability and flexibility as we grow and evolve as an organization.

 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

 

Must Have:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience managing cross-functional projects, operational initiatives, or business implementations.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead projects involving multiple departments and stakeholders.
• Experience developing and maintaining project plans, timelines, status reports, risk logs, and implementation plans.
• Strong organizational, facilitation, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence others, resolve issues collaboratively, and maintain project momentum without direct authority.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management or collaboration tools.

Nice to Have:

• Experience in higher education, healthcare, or another complex, multi-location service organization.
• Experience supporting business transformation, process improvement, technology-enabled change, or organizational initiatives.
• Experience with tools such as Microsoft Planner, Microsoft Project, Jira, Monday.com, Smartsheet, or similar platforms.
• PMP, CAPM, Agile, Lean Six Sigma, or comparable certification.

Competitive pay and opportunities for professional development.
Dynamic organizational culture within a supportive working environment.
Rest and relaxation with generous PTO and holiday benefits.
Robust health and welfare benefits package including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision.
Preparation for the future with a 401(k) and company match.

For consideration, only online applications will be accepted. No phone calls, please.

Our schools prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law.