Job Description

Title: Program Analyst and Project Manager
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: Vice President & Provost
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The Program Analyst and Project Manager is the principal administrative and project-management professional for the Adaptive Edge Institute (AEI). Reporting to the AEI Director and working under general direction, the Manager exercises independent professional judgment to manage the full lifecycle of institute projects, administer institute operations and knowledge resources, evaluate and triage incoming campus engagement requests, and conduct fiscal and institutional analysis that informs institute decision-making.
Within the scope and priorities set by the Director, the Manager leads assigned projects from initiation through closeout; negotiates working terms with campus and external partners within delegated authority; prepares institute positions, reports, and written materials; facilitates institute meetings and drives resulting actions to completion; maintains the institute’s knowledge and documentation systems; and applies process-automation and AI-related tools to improve institute and campus operations. The position integrates project management, operational administration, portfolio oversight, fiscal analysis, and applied technology for a cross-campus institute, and requires sound independent judgment throughout.

Additional Information

This is a non-continuous position that will end June 30, 2027.

University Benefit Highlights:
- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time
Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$55, 000 - $60,000

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
2. One (1) or more years of professional experience involving project management, program administration, operations support, budget analysis, or a comparable professional function.
3. Demonstrated ability to exercise independent professional judgment in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
4. Demonstrated ability to manage projects or initiatives through their full lifecycle, including scope management, stakeholder engagement, and outcomes assessment.
5. Demonstrated interest in and aptitude for learning new technology tools and applying them to professional work.
6. Demonstrated written and oral communication skills sufficient to prepare materials, facilitate meetings, and communicate with institute stakeholders.
7. Demonstrated proficiency with standard productivity and spreadsheet software.
8. Demonstrated interest in generative AI, higher-education technology policy, academic integrity, or institutional research.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Professional experience in higher education, particularly at a public university in a decentralized academic environment.
2. Familiarity with Microsoft Power Platform, SharePoint, or comparable process-automation tools.

Work Hours

8 am to 4:30 pm M-F

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods
2. Move about in various locations across campus as needed to complete day-to-day work.
3. Effectively communicate on a daily basis.

Proposed Starting Date

August 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume
Cover Letter
Reference List

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States. Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University.

Contact Information for Applicants

Dr. Roy Magnuson, rdmagnu@ilstu.edu

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.