The article is categorized as a case study. The paper describes the experience of Saint-Petersburg branch of Higher School of Economics in optimizing university management by system transformation of approaches to the administrative services. This optimization process should be handled by highly perspective HiPo specialists engaged in implementing projects dealing with university corporate structure development. The main purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the experience of constructing a new organizational model at the University with to the participation of the most talented employees applying Scrum project management methodology in their activity. The article presents the basic concepts of talent management in a modern University and major principles of the Scrum methodology. The results of monitoring, that identified the most important areas of activity in the formation of projects for members of the high potential group, are given in this paper. The conducted study provides grounds for conclusions about the necessity of taking into account peculiarities of corporate culture in the implementation of new management arrangements. During this research authors discovered that the main expectations of employees in the optimization of services are associated with digitalization processes, transfer of most of the processes related to discussions, negotiations, provision of administration and management into electronic forms. At the same time, the established management approaches are often perceived as dogmas and not considered by the majority as possible directions of transformation. This plan requires the participation of informal leaders, receiving direct support from the leadership to implement changes in favor of the optimization process. It was established that the main objects for innovation are administrative processes which include financial, personnel and clerical services. The operation of these units requires special attention from the management of University because in many ways, can promote the formation of a favorable corporate environment of research fellows and teachers. The Scrum approach to the implementation of projects related to the optimization of administrative services brings of University managers at a higher level of involvement, and this effect extends beyond the talented employees’ group, which should be examined and discussed on a regular basis. The article draws a conclusion about the need for significant prior work to convey to employees information about the planned changes, and then the permanent information support within the implementation of projects.