Senior Project Manager - PAR

Position Title: Senior Project Manager

Classification: Full-Time – Exempt

Reports to: Director of Evidence and Strategic Initiatives

Salary: $82,000 - $92,000 based on experience

Position available: Immediately in Boulder, CO (remote work may be available for a highly qualified candidate located in Wyoming)

The Position

The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education seeks a thoughtful, mission-driven professional to help strengthen rural healthcare workforce development in the West. This position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of rural communities by supporting innovative workforce development strategies and fostering collaboration among states. The senior project manager will lead WICHE’s work on a state-supported contract to oversee the implementation of part of a Rural Health Transformation Grant and help build a multi-state network of partners to advance solutions to critical healthcare workforce challenges. Working closely with state leaders, healthcare stakeholders, and WICHE colleagues, the senior project manager will play a key role in translating ideas into action through effective grant management, strategic project development, data-informed decision-making, and relationship building across the region.

Organizational Responsibility

Under the supervision of the Director of Evidence and Strategic Initiatives, the senior project manager will lead the coordination and implementation of Wyoming's Rural Health Transformation Grant and manage the Western Rural Health Transformation Network (Western RHT Network). The position serves as a key connector among state agencies, healthcare organizations, community partners, and WICHE staff to advance strategies that strengthen the rural healthcare workforce. Through effective grant administration, stakeholder engagement, project management, and network development, the senior project manager will support successful implementation of grant activities while fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing across Western states. The position plays an important role in advancing innovative solutions to healthcare workforce challenges and improving access to care in rural communities.

The senior project manager has the following responsibilities:

Western Rural Health Transformation Network Leadership

• Coordinate and manage the Western Rural Health Transformation Network (Western RHT Network).
• Convene and facilitate network meetings, learning sessions, and cross-state peer exchanges.
• Support the identification and dissemination of promising practices, resources, and lessons learned across participating states.
• Foster collaboration among network members to advance innovative solutions to rural healthcare workforce challenges.
• Develop materials, reports, and communications that support network engagement and knowledge sharing.

Grants Management and Support

• Coordinate administration of Wyoming's Rural Health Transformation Grant, including project planning, implementation, reporting, and performance monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with federal regulations, grant conditions, and agency-specific guidelines.
• Develop a competitive application process for grant subawardees that aligns with the Rural Health Transformation Grant requirements.
• Maintain a reporting calendar and ensure reporting deadlines are met.
• Monitor changes in federal reporting requirements and update processes as needed.
• Develop and maintain systems, processes, and documentation to support effective grant administration and compliance.
• Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, and deliverables for grant reporting and program performance.
• Facilitate regular project meetings and prepare status updates for leadership.
• Other duties as assigned.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead stakeholder engagement activities that support implementation of Wyoming's Rural Health Transformation Grant.
• Manage WICHE technical assistance to support program development and implementation.
• Respond to inquiries from sub-awardees, start partners, and others as needed.
• Build and sustain a multi-state network of partners committed to strengthening the rural healthcare workforce across the West.
• Respond to inquiries from a variety of constituents, such as WICHE staff, state agency officials, and institution leaders.

Position Specifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree and seven years of relevant professional work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including exceptional attention to detail, the ability to juggle competing priorities, and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Significant experience in grants management, including federal grants and federal grant reporting.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, cooperative, and cordial working relationships.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to speak to and write clearly for policy audiences such as legislators, governors’ staff, and state agency officials.
• Ability to research and synthesize complex policy topics, including reviewing federal and state laws, regulations, and policies.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision within a team structure.
• General familiarity with and interest in higher education, workforce development, and/or healthcare, and in public policies related to these areas.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Knowledge of federal grants administration, including an ability to understand reporting guidelines.
• Experience with grants management and/or project management software.

The successful candidate will thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven environment and be motivated by opportunities to improve outcomes through partnership, innovation, and service.

Location:

This position is located in Boulder, CO.

Travel:

Moderate to significant travel may be required, depending on the specific project requirements and interest; an estimate of 5-15 trips per year is likely.

About the Policy Analysis and Research Unit WICHE’s Policy Analysis and Research unit offers various resources to support better-informed decision-making, principally at the state level. Topics for its numerous research projects and collaborations include postsecondary completion, closing attainment gaps, adult learners, and multistate data-sharing to support educational planning and workforce development. The unit’s staff members serve as subject-matter experts on higher education issues including finance, state and federal financial aid, articulation and transfer, strategic planning, and student demographics. Publications, including the WICHE Insights series, explore a range of significant policy issues. Unit staff members undertake long-term grant-funded projects, collaborate with regional and national partners, and provide short-term technical assistance to WICHE members.

About WICHE

Since 1953, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) has been strengthening higher education, workforce development, and behavioral health throughout the region. As an interstate compact, WICHE partners with states, territories, and postsecondary institutions to share knowledge, create resources, and develop innovative solutions that address some of our society’s most pressing needs. From promoting high-quality, affordable postsecondary education to helping states get the most from their technology investments and addressing behavioral health challenges, WICHE improves lives across the West through innovation, cooperation, resource sharing, and sound public policy.

Benefits WICHE offers a competitive benefits package which includes medical insurance with generous employer contribution to health savings account (H.S.A.), dental, life, and disability insurance; flexible spending accounts (medical and dependent care); 403(b) retirement plan with employer match of 200% on employee contributions up to 5% after six full months of employment; and paid vacation, sick and personal time as well as paid family leave.

This role may involve the use of generative AI to support research, drafting, or analysis. We require employees to follow our AI Use Policy, which includes transparency about AI‑assisted work, careful review of generated content, and strict adherence to privacy and security standards.

WICHE does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status