Course Portfolio and Project Manager

About SANS

Founded in 1989, SANS Institute (SANS) began as a cooperative research and education organization. Over the next 25 years, it grew to become the most trusted and widely recognized provider of information security training and certification in the world. Today, SANS has served more than 300,000 cybersecurity professionals around the world, with more than 60,000 earning Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) security certifications-the leading certification that provides assurance to employers that their people and prospective hires can do the job.

At the heart of SANS is a community of practitioners, from auditors and network administrators to CISOs, who share their lessons learned and collaborate on solutions to the challenges they face. These experts, working across corporations, government agencies, and universities, come together to support and strengthen the global information security community.

Why SANS?

At SANS, our culture is defined by three pillars: Mission, Brand, and People.

• Our Mission is to hire people who understand the importance fighting against cybersecurity threats.
• Our Brand reflects a commitment to delivering the highest quality training.
• Our People are grounded in a culture of fairness, honesty, customer focus, and a pragmatic approach.

What You'll Achieve at SANS

We are seeking a Course Portfolio and Project Manager to join our team. This role oversees the execution of a new collection of digital learning courses, providing project leadership, delivery accountability, and cross-functional coordination across the full course lifecycle. This role ensures projects are prioritized, planned, and delivered on schedule while maintaining high standards of quality and stakeholder alignment.

The ideal candidate is a proactive, detail-oriented individual with experience as both portfolio and project management for new course development who can balance timelines, stakeholders, and creative production-ensuring each course meets SANS's standards for technical accuracy, engagement, and learner impact.

As a Course Portfolio and Project Manager, you will:

Course Portfolio and Project Planning:

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  • Oversee a new digital learning project portfolio, prioritizing initiatives, managing dependencies, and balancing resources to maximize program impact.
  • Establish and manage the overall program framework for digital learning initiatives, aligning goals, resources, and timelines with business objectives.
  • Manage a portfolio of new digital first course development and update projects, establishing clear scopes, schedules, milestones, and delivery plans.
  
  
  
  

Project Execution and Delivery

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  • Prioritize and sequence projects based on organizational goals, resource availability, and delivery commitments.
  • Lead end-to-end execution of course projects from initiation through launch, ensuring timelines, quality standards, and stakeholder expectations are met.
  • Develop and maintain detailed project plans, schedules, and status reports
  
  
  
  

Workflow and Process Development:

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  • Design, implement, and continuously refine standardized workflows for course development, review, and deployment across multiple teams and platforms.
  
  
  
  

Cross-Functional Coordination:

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  • Partner with authors, instructional design, project management, production, operations, and technology teams to ensure consistent execution and communication across projects.
  
  
  
  

Quality and Performance Tracking:

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  • Develop and monitor key metrics for project performance, learner engagement, and process efficiency; report progress to leadership and recommend improvements.
  
  
  
  

Change Management and Continuous Improvement

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  • Identify and address gaps in workflows, tools, or collaboration, champion best practices for project documentation, knowledge sharing, and team alignment.
  
  
  
  
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

Every SANS employee brings something unique. For this role, we're looking for candidates with:

• Bachelor's degree in instructional design, education technology, project management, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in program or project management, preferably within digital learning, education technology, or professional training.
• Proven experience setting up and scaling program operations, workflows, and cross-team processes.
• Familiarity with LMS platforms, authoring tools, and e-learning standards.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and leadership skills with the ability to influence across teams.
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving abilities.
• PMP, Agile, or equivalent certification preferred.
• Unrestricted authorization to work in the USA; visa sponsorship is not available.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience in cybersecurity, technical training, or professional education.
• Understanding of accessibility and UX best practices for online learning.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into operational insights.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Benefits and Perks of Working at SANS

We're committed to fair and equitable compensation. The expected salary range for this position is$120,000 - $130,000, depending on geographic location, skills, and experience. At SANS, pay equity and transparency are priorities.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports your total well-being so you can be and deliver your best. This means caring for you and your loved ones' physical, financial, and mental health, as well as providing the flexibility you need to thrive personally and professionally:

• Financial Benefits: Competitive base salary,bonus opportunities, and a 401(k) plan with company match.

• Health & Wellness: Robust medical, dental, and vision plans; company-provided short term disability; optional long-term disability, supplemental life and AD&D insurance for employees and dependents; voluntary benefits including accident insurance and identity theft protection; fitness and wellness programs; and a company paid employee assistance program (EAP).
• Time Off & Flexibility: Generous paid time off, including volunteer time.
• Learning & Development: Access to professional development and SANS training opportunities.

Flexibility and Balance at SANS

We support our colleagues with the tools and flexibility they need to thrive, both professionally and personally. As a primarily remote work environment, we are committed to maintaining strong connections, collaboration, and a vibrant culture across virtual teams. While most roles operate remotely, some positions may require occasional in-person presence depending on role-specific or business needs.

SANS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

SANS is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

If, because of a medical condition or disability, you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact SANS Human Resources.

US Job Seekers: Click here to view the "Know Your Rights" poster.

SANS complies with all applicable state and local laws regarding the consideration of applicants with arrest or conviction records. For positions governed by federal and/or state banking regulations, SANS will adhere to relevant requirements when evaluating candidates with criminal histories.

Employment eligibility in the United States is required. SANS does not provide visa sponsorship for this position.