1

Sr Project Mgr Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Senior Project Manager

Grinnell, IA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Senior Project Manager serves as a trusted partner and strategic advisor to project sponsors, campus leaders, and stakeholders across the institution, providing leadership in project planning ...

Job Title: Sr. Project Manager Location: Urbandale, IA 50323 Type: 6-Month Contract Job Summary We are seeking a Sr. Project Manager who will be responsible for leading and supporting critical ...

Senior Project Manager

Des Moines, IA · Hybrid

$102K - $121K/yr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Senior Project Manager is a key member of our team that ensures that changes are delivered in alignment with stakeholder expectations and add business value. The Senior Project Manager is ...

The Senior Project Manager will provide overall on-site administrative and technical management on mission-critical construction projects. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

The Senior Project Manager will provide overall on-site administrative and technical management on mission-critical construction projects. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

The Senior Project Manager will provide overall on-site administrative and technical management on mission-critical construction projects. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Senior Project Manager at E2 Optics Are you ready to elevate your career with an award-winning, Woman-Owned technology integrator that's leading the charge in the data center revolution? E2 Optics is ...

Senior Project Manager at E2 Optics Are you ready to elevate your career with an award-winning, Woman-Owned technology integrator that's leading the charge in the data center revolution? E2 Optics is ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Sr Project Mgr information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Sr project manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Sr Project Manager, you need strong leadership, project planning, budgeting, and risk management skills, often supported by a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience in project management. Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Project, Jira, and certifications such as PMP or PRINCE2 are highly valued in the role. Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities help drive teams and stakeholders toward project goals. These skills are critical for ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope and budget, and with stakeholder satisfaction.

What is the difference between Sr Project Mgr vs Project Coordinator?

AspectSr Project MgrProject Coordinator
CredentialsPM certifications (PMP), experience in project managementTypically entry-level, may have a degree in related field
Work EnvironmentLeads projects, manages teams, responsible for deliverySupports project teams, handles scheduling and documentation
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across industries for senior project leadershipCommon in organizations for project support roles

The main difference is that a Sr Project Mgr oversees entire projects, manages teams, and is responsible for successful delivery, while a Project Coordinator provides support, handles scheduling, and assists project managers. The Sr Project Mgr role requires more experience and certifications, whereas the Project Coordinator role is often an entry point into project management careers.

What does a Sr project manager do?

A Sr Project Manager oversees complex projects from initiation to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget. They coordinate cross-functional teams, manage stakeholder expectations, and mitigate risks throughout the project lifecycle. Senior Project Managers are also responsible for strategic planning, resource allocation, and reporting on project progress to upper management. Their experience allows them to handle multiple projects simultaneously and resolve high-level issues that arise.

What are some common challenges faced by a Sr project manager when leading cross-functional teams?

A Sr Project Manager often encounters challenges such as aligning diverse team members around shared goals, managing conflicting priorities across departments, and ensuring clear communication among stakeholders. Coordinating schedules, resources, and expectations with team members from different backgrounds can require strong negotiation and problem-solving skills. Proactively addressing potential bottlenecks, fostering collaboration, and maintaining transparency are key strategies Sr Project Managers use to overcome these obstacles and ensure project success.

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Sr Project Mgr jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Sr Project Mgr job openings:

Infographic showing various Sr Project Mgr job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution.

Senior Project Manager

Grinnell College

Grinnell, IA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Grinnell College rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

486th of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Grinnell College is seeking a collaborative and experienced Senior Project Manager to join the Information Technology Services Project Management Office (PMO). This highly visible position will lead complex, institution-wide technology modernization and business transformation initiatives that advance Grinnell College's strategic priorities. This opportunity allows you to partner with senior leaders, faculty and administrative offices to drive organizational change and deliver meaningful outcomes for students, faculty and staff.
The Senior Project Manager serves as a trusted partner and strategic advisor to project sponsors, campus leaders, and stakeholders across the institution, providing leadership in project planning, coordination, communication, governance, and execution.
The position will initially play a significant role in supporting the College's upcoming Higher Learning Commission accreditation review, providing an opportunity to develop a deep understanding of Grinnell's culture, governance, and institutional priorities while leading important campus-wide initiatives. Other projects may include ERP modernization, software implementations and integrations, business process improvement, and digital experience improvements for students, faculty and staff.
The Senior Project Manager will regularly engage with executive sponsors and institutional leaders to navigate complex organizational challenges, align initiatives with strategic priorities, and support informed decision-making. As a senior member of the PMO, this role will also contribute to portfolio management, governance processes, project management consultation, and the continued evolution of project management practices across the College.
The successful candidate will be energized by building relationships, navigating complex organizations, and driving meaningful organizational outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Lead Complex Projects and Key Institutional Priorities
  • Lead enterprise-wide initiatives involving organizational change, process improvement, technology modernization, and cross-functional collaboration in support of the academic mission and strategic priorities
  • Partner with project sponsors and ITS leadership regarding project priorities, resource allocation, risk mitigation and implementation approaches
  • Establish trust and alignment across diverse stakeholder groups to advance initiatives.
  • Apply project management best practices to develop project plans and schedules, and coordinate with specialists on communication, training and change management plans
  • Ensure projects are completed successfully and institutional outcomes are achieved

Support Cross-Functional Projects and Institutional Coordination
  • Build productive partnerships across academic and administrative divisions while fostering collaboration, accountability, and shared ownership of outcomes
  • Facilitate meetings with project teams, vendors, consultants, and stakeholders; monitor progress, identify and resolve risks and issues, and communicate status, tradeoffs, and recommendations to stakeholders and leadership
  • Participate in working groups and non-PMO led projects as requested to advance institutional objectives

PMO Operations, Governance, and Portfolio Management
  • Support PMO operations, governance, and portfolio management, including regular status reporting, and consistent use of PMO methodologies, standards, and practices
  • Maintain project metrics, dashboards, and schedules
  • Contribute to strategic portfolio planning and prioritization discussions that help the College maximize institutional value and organizational capacity
  • Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations for leadership, governance groups, and stakeholders

Provide Project Management Consultation and Training
  • Serve as a mentor and thought partner for colleagues seeking to strengthen project and change management capabilities
  • Consult with faculty and staff on project management approaches, resources, tools, and best practices
  • Develop and deliver training, resources, templates, and guidance to advance project management maturity across the institution

Contribute to Continuous Improvement and Professional Development
  • Participate in professional development to maintain project management expertise and certification requirements
  • Contribute to the ongoing evolution of project and portfolio management practices in the PMO and at the College
  • Perform other duties as assigned

ABOUT GRINNELL COLLEGE
At Grinnell College, meaningful work is grounded in collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to advancing student success. Senior Project Managers lead initiatives that influence the experiences of students, faculty, and staff while helping advance systems and technology at a nationally recognized liberal arts institution.
In addition to meaningful and impactful work, we offer a generous benefits package that includes comprehensive healthcare, retirement benefits, paid leave, professional development opportunities, and educational benefits. We believe our people are our greatest asset, and we strive to create an environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally.
Grinnell College values diversity, equity, inclusion, intellectual freedom, and social responsibility. We seek candidates who share these commitments and are ready to collaborate across the College to strengthen belonging, advance our mission, and contribute to the communities we serve.
  • Bachelor's degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
  • A minimum of seven years of experience managing multiple, complex, cross-functional projects using established project management methodologies and tools.
  • Demonstrated success leading large-scale, cross-functional initiatives involving senior leaders, complex stakeholder environments, and significant organizational change.
  • Experience managing project schedules, risks, issues, communications, and proficiency with project management methodologies and tools.
  • Project management certification from an accredited provider (PMP, PMI-ACP, PRINCE2, or equivalent) or agrees to complete certification within one year.
  • Strong organizational, analytical, facilitation, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to build trust, facilitate discussions, navigate differing perspectives, and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently manage projects and initiatives while exercising sound judgment and operating within broad institutional objectives.
  • Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, senior leaders, vendors, consultants, and external partners to achieve project objectives.
  • Demonstrated ability to translate complex operational or technical requirements into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working in higher education or a similarly complex mission-driven organization.
  • Experience supporting institutional accreditation, assessment, continuous improvement, strategic planning, or quality initiatives.
  • Experience leading enterprise software implementations, digital transformation initiatives, business process improvement efforts, or institutional change programs.
  • Experience mentoring project managers or contributing to the development of project management standards and practices.
  • Training or certification in organizational change management methodologies (Prosci, CCMP, or similar).

What Grinnell College employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom