Lead SIS Project Manager

Lead development and implementation of complex information technology projects to solve problems that may have wide impact, requiring high levels of functional integration and involving multiple disciplines to be managed. May manage a number of projects simultaneously.

Job Code

I0059P IT Project Manager V 

Job-Specific Responsibilities

Reporting to the Registrar of the Division of Continuing Education, the Lead SIS Project Manager is part of the Registrar’s Office Senior Staff and the SIS Continuum Steering committee. As the project implementation manager, the ideal candidate will have expert knowledge of Ellucian Banner (or equivalent ERP SIS) and provide guidance and direction regarding how best to introduce numerous upgrades to current applications within the Registrar’s Office. This position works with senior administrators and stakeholders at DCE as well as third party vendors to establish implementation timelines for the Registrar’s Office and other departments and consultants involved in the SIS implementation. 

Must work across departments to ensure a comprehensive division wide vision related to project management and support concerning initiatives, platform integration and data migration regarding current and new systems related to the SIS. Requires coordinating internal and external resources (in-house and with the vendors and consultants) in order to determine the most successful path regarding the timing of application launches and related training. Involves assessing, evaluating and identifying what we may effectively implement in realizing our institutional goals and in parallel continue to maintain the necessary functionality required from all departments to meet our daily institutional obligations.

This position has significant input as part of the senior team at the highest institutional decision-making levels regarding project management. Works with MIS, Academic Programs, Financial Aid and other DCE departments to realize new strategic growth initiatives in the SIS as well as after the upgrade and will act as a resource for departments regarding future enhancements, applications and related products that contribute to greater efficiency regarding student service.

Other duties and responsibilities include:

• Lead the Registrar’s Office SIS Working Group by overseeing the project management in relation to SIS development, upgrades and implementations. Meet with consultants and relevant teams to determine best strategies to manage and implement SIS and related products. Employ standard PM approaches to manage and allocate resources and track and report project progress.

• Responsible for presenting project management options for the SIS to Steering Committee including process gaps, related issues and challenges identified by the Registration Working Group and others in determining best practices and pathways for successful engagement and implementation.

• Acquire/maintain expert knowledge of SIS and other division systems through ongoing training and engagement within the ERP community.

• Recommend/develop on-going training model for staff. Serves as mentor / trainer for staff.

• Recommend and take action to direct the analysis and solutions of problems and the impact of the Continuum Project on the Registrar’s Office. Participate in planning for new data integrations and exchanges across systems. Work with Registrar’s Office, MIS, Financial Aid, and Academic Programs to understand the division-wide impact of proposed enhancements and help find ways to mitigate disruption while maintaining day-to-day functionality critical to our daily operations.

• Work with DCE QA unit to develop test cases for SIS applications to ensure that all students have a smooth user experience while successfully navigating registration and any related on-boarding processes critical to their educational experience.

• Hire and manage additional support staff as needed.

Typical Core Duties

• Perform the full range of the project management lifecycle: discovery initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing

• Develop detailed plans, schedule, project estimate, and resource plan

• Ensure adherence to quality standards and review project deliverables 

• Manage the integration of vendor tasks and track and review vendor deliverables

• Provide technical and analytical guidance to project team

• Recommend and take action to direct the analysis and solution of problems; revise, as appropriate, to meet changing needs and requirements

• Evaluate and assess metrics and project effectiveness

• Ensure accurate and timely reporting; prepare specialized and ad hoc reports

• Absorb and leverage project related technology to ensure effective project management and collaboration

• Leverage steering and executive committees for decision-making, change management, and communications

• Advise unit/school regarding post project operations

• Provide training to clients/staff

• Apply Harvard University’s IT technical standards and best practices

• Abide by and follow the Harvard University IT Code of Conduct

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years’ post-secondary education and/or relevant work experience

• Demonstrated cross-functional project management experience

Additional Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years of Banner/ERP SIS related work experience

• ERP system implementation/upgrade experience

• Banner experience required in an IT and/or Registrar's setting, ideally both

• PMP Certification or equivalent

• Excellent organizational skills with particular ability to prioritize work in an environment with multiple and conflicting interests.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Communicates effectively with technical and non-technical staff

• Ability to work across departments regarding multiple initiatives

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office setting

Additional Information

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) comprises several entities serving about 30,000 students annually. The Harvard Extension School, the Harvard Summer School, the Harvard Professional Development Programs and the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement allow Harvard to serve the learning needs of students across their life. For more than a century, Harvard Extension School has made Harvard faculty and teaching accessible to a diverse community of local, national, and international students. Harvard Extension School enrolls approximately 16,000 students per year in approximately 46 graduate and undergraduate liberal arts and professional fields. More than 1,500 open enrollment courses are offered  year-round with over 600 available online are offered at affordable prices to our communities across the world.  Harvard Summer School offers approximately 450 courses on the Harvard Campus to 10,000 secondary school, college and adult learners and more than 30 international study abroad programs for up to 600 students each summer. The Division also includes the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement with approximately 550 active members and Harvard Professional Development Programs offering 80 short noncredit courses to almost 4,000 learners annually.

All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

Time Off: 3 - 4 weeks paid vacation, paid holiday break, 12 paid sick days, 11.5 paid holidays, and 3 paid personal days per year.

Medical/Dental/Vision: We offer a variety of excellent medical plans, dental & vision plans, all coverage begins as of your start date.

Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with full vesting after 3 years of service.

Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive tuition assistance program, $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and discounted options through participating Harvard grad schools.

Transportation: Harvard offers a 50% discounted MBTA pass as well as additional options to assist employees in their daily commute.

Wellness options: Harvard offers programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, massages, nutrition, meditation and complimentary health services.

Harvard access to athletic facilities, libraries, campus events and many discounts throughout metro Boston.