Project Director, U.S Practice

Administrative Operations Manager 3

Administers and evaluates business and administrative matters within one department, including budget, operations, and programs and personnel administration.

Position Salary Range: $,000 per year; DOE

The University Design Institute (UDI) partners with universities, higher education systems, philanthropic organizations, and national governments to co-design innovative strategies that strengthen the future of higher education. UDI's U.S. Practice is committed to empowering U.S. universities, especially regional public universities and public systems, as they address the evolving demands of their students, states, and stakeholders. We partner with institutions and systems that serve as critical engines of access, mobility, and economic impact, particularly in communities that depend on public higher education the most.

Our work emphasizes reimagining, redesigning, and rebuilding U.S. higher education in ways that enhance student success, workforce alignment, and community impact.

UDI seeks a strategic, client-focused, and execution-oriented Project Director to support the U.S. Practice and lead the successful delivery of a portfolio of client engagements. Reporting to the Executive Director, U.S. Practice, this role serves as a primary operational leader for projects, ensuring high-quality execution, strong client relationships, and measurable outcomes across a diverse portfolio of transformation initiatives.

The ideal candidate brings experience managing large-scale projects and client engagements within higher education or similarly complex sectors and thrives in environments that require both strategic thinking and disciplined execution.

If you are passionate about helping colleges, universities, and systems turn ambitious goals into measurable results while building trusted partnerships that drive lasting impact, this role is for you.

The Ideal Candidate Will:

• Serve as a trusted partner to clients, building strong relationships and ensuring engagements consistently deliver value and exceed expectations.
• Manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, managing scope, budgets, timelines, risks, staffing, and deliverables across a diverse portfolio.
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable project plans and execution strategies that drive measurable outcomes.
• Navigate complex stakeholder environments with professionalism, diplomacy, and strong communication skills.
• Partner closely with the Executive Director, U.S. Practice, to operationalize practice priorities and support the successful delivery of client engagements.
• Demonstrate strong business and financial acumen, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently, sustainably, and within budget.

The Ideal Candidate Has:

• Extensive experience leading complex projects, programs, or client engagements within higher education, consulting, non-profit, or similarly complex environments.
• Demonstrated success managing client relationships and serving as a primary point of contact for executive-level stakeholders.
• Expertise applying project management methodologies, tools, and practices to manage project scope, timelines, budgets, risks, resources, and stakeholder expectations across multiple engagements.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and coordinating the work of internal staff, external partners, consultants, and subject matter experts.
• Strong financial management experience, including budget oversight, forecasting, contract management, and resource planning.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence and engage diverse audiences.
• Deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing public higher education institutions and systems.

This position is intended to be on-site at UDI's Novus offices on the ASU Tempe Campus; however, remote work may be considered. The role will report to the Executive Director, U.S. Practice.

Essential Duties:

• Direct Client Engagements:
  Direct and oversee a portfolio of client projects from initiation through completion, ensuring alignment with project objectives, client expectations, contractual commitments, and UDI standards for quality and impact.
• Manage Project Delivery and Teams:
  Provide day-to-day leadership to project teams, consultants, facilitators, and experts. Monitor project performance, manage risks and dependencies, and ensure effective collaboration, accountability, and successful delivery of client outcomes on time and within budget.
• Build and Maintain Client Relationships:
  Serve as a primary point of contact during engagements both to oversee project direction and to foster trusted relationships, manage expectations, and ensure a high-quality client experience throughout the engagement lifecycle.
• Support Business Development and Engagement Growth:
  Support the Executive Director, U.S. Practice, in proposal development, project scoping, client presentations and other activities that contribute to practice growth and…