Senior Manager of Special Projects

About the role

Thank you for considering a career with the Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY).

The team at RFCUNY is made up of dedicated, talented professionals committed to providing the services that allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries.

We are pleased that you are interested in exploring opportunities to join RFCUNY.

Primary Location: LAGUARDIA C. C.

Bargaining Unit: No

Founded in 1971 in Long Island City, Queens, LaGuardia Community College is one of seven community colleges of the City University of New York (CUNY). LaGuardia offers more than sixty associate degree programs and more than fifty workforce training, ESOL, GED, and pre-college programs. In 2023, LaGuardia served approximately 24,000 students. More than one-third of LaGuardia's degree-seeking students are born outside the United States; they come from 136 countries and speak 43 heritage languages. Sixty percent are first-generation college students.

Virtually all LaGuardia students are ethnic minorities (89 percent), 58 percent are women, 27 percent are over the age of 25. Forty-six percent of associate degree students are Hispanic. Upon graduation most students transfer to four-year colleges, typically in CUNY, to complete their baccalaureate degrees. Graduates of career programs such as Nursing, Computer Technology, and Veterinary Technology enter the workforce.

LaGuardia ranked fifth among U.S. community colleges in economic mobility - moving low-income students into the middle class and beyond - in studies by Stanford University (2017) and the Brookings Institution (2020).

Position Overview

Reporting to the President, the Senior Manager of Special Projects manages high-priority projects for the President, the Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance, and other members of the college's leadership team. These initiatives address a wide range of institutional needs, including student support, operational efficiency, campus improvements, enhancements to degree and non-degree programs, community partnerships, and projects to improve the student experience.

The Senior Manager of Special Projects is responsible for bringing projects from concept to implementation. Success requires managing relationships with key partners across the college, leveraging personnel and resources, and breaking down silos across the institution. The Senior Manager of Special Projects is a resourceful self-starter who can work well independently while thriving in a fast-paced, demanding office.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage important projects and initiatives for the President, Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance, and other members of the college's leadership team.
• Perform planning, budgeting, execution, oversight, assessment, and reporting to meet project objectives.
• Provide support for the president and his colleagues with sensitivity, diplomacy, tact, and flexibility.
• Support the campus implementation of CUNY-wide initiatives, systems, and platforms.
• Review processes and operations with the aim of improving efficiency, effectiveness, and ROI.
• Collaborate with LaGuardia vice presidents, deans, directors, faculty, staff, and students, as well as with CUNY Central Office administrators, employers, community partners, donors, and other supporters of the college.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive/privileged information.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and at least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in project management, program administration, higher education administration, organizational operations, strategic initiatives, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects from planning through implementation, including coordinating multiple stakeholders, establishing priorities and timelines, monitoring progress, and achieving project objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and advance projects across organizational boundaries, including working effectively with senior leaders and stakeholders without direct supervisory authority.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience evaluating processes, identifying opportunities for improvement, and developing practical solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare concise reports, presentations, recommendations, and other materials for senior leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, manage multiple priorities, and work independently on complex, sensitive, and time-sensitive assignments.
• Strong research, analysis, and reporting skills and experience
• Excellent organizational skills
• Knowledge of common software applications and tech platforms
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office and related collaboration and project-management tools.

Pay Range

$110,000 - $125,000