ERP/SIS Implementation Project Manager
Location: Hickory, North Carolina
Position Summary
Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks a highly organized and results-driven project manager to lead the implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Student Information System (SIS), Ellucian Colleague SaaS. This is a full-time, temporary position with a two-year appointment aligned with the lifecycle of the implementation project.
The Project Manager will oversee all phases of the ERP/SIS transition, including planning, vendor coordination, system configuration, stakeholder engagement, training, and post-implementation support. This role is critical to ensuring a successful transition that enhances institutional efficiency, data integrity, and user experience across academic and administrative functions.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the end-to-end ERP/SIS implementation project, ensuring delivery on time and within scope and budget.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive project plan, timeline, and milestone tracking system
- Serve as the primary liaison between the university and Ellucian
- Coordinate cross-functional teams, including Information Technology, Finance, the Registrar’s Office, Admissions, Financial Aid, and other departments.
- Facilitate regular project status meetings and provide updates to senior leadership
- Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies to address project challenges
- Oversee data migration, system testing, and quality assurance processes
- Ensure effective change management, including communication strategies and stakeholder engagement
- Coordinate training programs and support resources for faculty and staff.
- Monitor system performance post-implementation and ensure successful stabilization
- Maintain thorough documentation of processes, decisions, and system configurations
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required (preferably in Management, Business Administration, Information Systems, or a related field)
- Demonstrated experience managing large-scale projects.
- Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills
- Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects
- Experience working with cross-functional teams and external vendors
- Ability to work on-site at the Hickory, NC campus
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in higher education (college or university setting)
- Familiarity with ERP/SIS platforms used in higher education.
- Project management certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent)
- Master’s degree in a related field
- Experience with change management strategies and user adoption initiatives
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong project planning and execution capabilities
- Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
- High level of attention to detail and organizational discipline
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build consensus across diverse groups
- Proficiency with project management tools and methodologies
Appointment Type
- Position Type: Full-time, temporary (2-year term)
- Work Environment: In-person on the Hickory campus.
- Expected Start Date: ASAP
Application Process
While completing the application, candidates will be prompted to submit:
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Three professional references
The university’s mission, vision, and values statements may be reviewed using About LR.
Lenoir-Rhyne University promotes a welcoming campus environment that is integral to the university's commitment to excellence in engagement and education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated experience nurturing a welcoming community, working with faculty, staff and/or students from all walks of life and/or incorporating varied perspectives and traditions in their current or previous positions. This commitment is rooted in our Lutheran tradition of fostering wisdom, nurturing vocation and preparing students for lives of purpose while serving the common good.
About Lenoir-Rhyne University
Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private, comprehensive institution founded in 1891, with its traditional campus located in Hickory, North Carolina, a city of more than 40,000. The university has additional graduate centers in Asheville, N.C., and Columbia, S.C. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lenoir- Rhyne is less than an hour’s drive from Charlotte, and the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of about 365,000. The university now offers more than 45 undergraduate and 20 graduate degree programs to approximately 2,400 students. Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build community, and promote responsible leadership for service to the world. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lenoir-Rhyne is open to people from all religious and non-religious backgrounds.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy
Lenoir-Rhyne University is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities that are free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
LR is committed to creating a safe campus environment for all members of the LR community, including, but not limited to, those who identify as transgender and gender non-conforming. To that end, LR does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including sex stereotypes and sex characteristics), ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.
To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational program, activity and employment, LR has developed internal policies and procedures that provide a prompt, fair and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of discrimination or harassment, and for allegations of retaliation.
LR values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties in the grievance process during what is often a difficult time for all those involved.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.