Hiring: Senior Director of Planning and Management Company: Penn State University Location: University Park, PA Job Posted Time: 2026-09-15 11:25:06 Employment Type: Full-time / Remote Target Skills & Keywords : Project Management, Vendor Management, Workday About the job Experience: •Master's Degree 10+ years of relevant experience, includes 5+ years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None •10+ years of relevant experience, includes 5+ years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None Required Skills: •Lead project and program delivery governance by establishing project management standards, enabling adaptive delivery models, aligning execution with institutional priorities, monitoring delivery performance and risk, and providing actionable portfolio and project insights to support informed decision-making across Penn State IT. •Lead IT communications strategy by ensuring consistent, professional, and timely messaging; coordinating communications across stakeholders; and providing communication frameworks and resources for Service Owners and IT Strategic Partners. •Manage business operations and administrative support services by overseeing administrative teams, operational processes, meeting and event logistics, documentation, and workflows that support Penn State IT leadership and organizational effectiveness. •Lead enterprise vendor and contract management by overseeing strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, vendor performance, compliance, risk mitigation, and lifecycle governance, while providing vendor intelligence and fostering innovation-oriented partnerships that support Penn State IT's strategic priorities. •Define, maintain, and evolve IT service management and operational practice standards by establishing ITSM frameworks, service delivery processes, performance measures, competency models, and operating expectations that support consistent, high-quality service delivery across the organization. •Govern and enable standards adoption by providing assessment tools, maturity models, training, guidance, and practitioner-focused resources that support consistent implementation, compliance, and continuous improvement across Penn State IT. •Build and lead high-performing cross-functional teams by recruiting, mentoring, and developing talent across PMO, Business Operations, Vendor Management, and Service Standards while fostering operational excellence and a service-minded culture. •Enable the success of Service Owners and IT Strategic Partners by providing delivery support, communications, vendor intelligence, role practice standards, and collaborative governance that promotes alignment, information sharing, and customer-centric service delivery across Penn State IT. Qualifications: •Progressive leadership experience in IT operations, service management, program/project management, business operations, vendor management, or related functions. •Demonstrated success leading and developing cross-functional teams in a complex organizational environment. •Strong knowledge of IT service management (ITSM), governance, service delivery, and organizational best practices. •Exceptional communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority. •Proven ability to establish standards, promote adoption, and drive continuous improvement across diverse stakeholder groups. •Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results. •Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications •These positions follow a hybrid work model with some remote work flexibility. A weekly on-site presence at the University Park campus will be required. Occasional travel to Commonwealth Campuses and other Penn State locations may be required. •Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. •Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. Compensation: •$150,204 - $232,776 / year •Competitive benefits and rewards package Interested candidates, please apply directly through the job posting on company's career page or try via AI auto apply on this platform. Don't miss this opportunity to join a forward-thinking team!