About this role
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
Position Summary: The Senior Program Manager provides overarching strategic leadership, design, and execution oversight for all multifaceted academic and workforce development initiatives within the Florida Center for Nursing (FCN). This critical leadership role shifts high-level programmatic governance away from executive leadership. It serves as the primary bridge between organizational strategy and day-to-day program administration. The Senior Program Manager leads and develops FCN teams, steers complex multi-stakeholder coalitions, oversees vendor communications, and maintains ultimate accountability for program budgets, multi-year planning, compliance, and metric driven outcomes. Approximately 20% of regional travel throughout the state of Florida for regional presentations, advisory meetings, and conferences. The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and USF Health. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF with its highest overall ranking in university history, as a top 50 public university for the seventh consecutive year and as one of the top 15 best values among all public universities in the nation. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation and inside the top 10 among public universities. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $750 million in research funding in 2025 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
30% - Statewide Program Execution & Event Strategy
• Regional Education Delivery: Architect, schedule, and personally facilitate a statewide calendar of regional presentations, workshops, and educational initiatives across Florida. • Large-Scale Event Leadership: Direct the planning, curriculum design, and delivery of high-impact industry symposiums, annual nursing leadership conferences, and statewide educational forums. • Cross-Functional Orchestration: Oversee collaboration planning with Outreach, MarCom, and Project Management teams to drive statewide attendee acquisition, optimize logistics, and execute seamless events. 20% - Sustainability & Pilot Initiatives: Secure and maintain program sustainability through the strategic tracking of key performance indicators (KPIs) for each initiative under assigned staff. Validate program metrics and KPIs to justify state-funded workforce initiatives. Develop scope of work for pilot initiatives in alignment with FCNs strategic plan. Maintains and analyzes data with a strategic view towards future offerings, and FCN needs. Partner closely with the FCN personnel to identify programming gaps and implement opportunities to enhance administration of program planning. Collaborate with assigned staff to develop program evaluation in executive summary format following program/course completion. 15% - Strategic Leadership & Regional Engagement: Drive the long-term vision, design, and multi-year planning of state-wide nursing workforce training, consultation, and academic programs. Represent the FCN at regional healthcare summits, legislative education workshops, and professional nursing workforce forums. 15% - Operational Oversight & Personnel Management: Directly supervise, mentor, coach, and evaluate the FCN assigned staff; manage workload distribution; support professional development; and ensure clear alignment with FCN’ s strategic plan. Oversee the lifecycle of program development, curriculum creation, and professional career preparation pathways managed by the team. Establish program governance frameworks, standard operating procedures, and strict quality control measures across all workstreams. Approve final course architecture, training methodologies, and strategic updates before delivery to executive leadership. 15% - Execution Leadership & Advisory Support: Serve as a strong execution leader who drives FCN initiatives seamlessly through the different phases of program development. Advise & collaborate with the Chief of Staff and Executive Director on changing industry trends, healthcare legislation, and operational risk mitigation. Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications leadership to drive public alignment and optimize digital program visibility. 5% - Perform other duties as assigned by executive leadership.
Minimum Qualifications: This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 4 years of project management experience, or a Master’s degree in a related field and 2 years of project management experience. Some positions may require project management certification. Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree. • Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S. • SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements • A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed: • (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree; • (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree; • (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree; • (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or • (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree • Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment. • Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree in nursing (MSN), Healthcare Administration (MHA), or Public Health (MPH). Active, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) License in the State of Florida. Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive experience in healthcare administration, workforce development, or academic program oversight. Minimum of 3 years of direct supervisory experience leading multidisciplinary teams or professional and administrative staff. Proven track record managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects across diverse public-private health sectors.