Project Manager- Continuous Improvement

This position provides Support for Academics/Operations and Tech Project Management. 

This position’s responsibilities, under general direction, are to enable the implementation of projects that support strategic initiatives, improve operational business processes and systems districtwide furthering academic outcomes and ultimately, student needs. The Project Manager identifies and implements improvements to business processes and supporting systems which can be cross-departmental; streamlines and improves processes and communication as they affect state and federal requirements; refines project plans and timelines, identifies constraints or challenges, and ensures District Leadership is informed in a timely manner.

The position analyzes identified deficiencies or desired changes, prioritizes them, and helps identify options with related benefits, costs and risks. The position uses industry standard methodologies and best practices in project management and business process improvement as well as strong analytic skills to accomplish the work; writes detailed descriptions of current business problems and opportunities, ensures documentation of as-is process, facilitates discussions to identify opportunities for change, documents desired end state, performs complex research and data analysis to support findings and recommendations, develops and delivers presentations to communicate issues and recommendations to senior management and acts as team member on projects to implement the identified changes. 

The Project Manager Continuous Improvement is considered the second level in a series.  Works on several projects or programs specific to a division or department; manages mid-size projects/program and makes program and budget recommendations to district management on the development, implementation, and evaluation of the project(s)/program(s) to include performance measures, goals and objectives.

This level is distinguished from the Project Manager III, in that the latter manages the full scope of a project or program and/or provides recommendations for development of projects/programs of considerable significance, to the department senior leader or district senior leaders.  Provides recommendations for development of significant departmental, program or project budget(s) and performance measures to department senior leader or district senior leaders.

This position requires a strong background in systems analysis, using data to drive decision making, skills in strategic planning, relationship management, and an understanding of effective practices in large-scale project management.40%

• Project-manage the development and implementation of cross-functional improvement projects.  Facilitate identification of as-is and to-be business processes, ensuring alignment across Departments with District and Department policies and procedures and state/federal laws, regulation and code, while maintaining strong focus on delivering the desired benefits of the planned improvement or strategic initiative. Use project management methodologies to ensure projects are run efficiently, delivering within targets for scope, schedule, budget and delivering expected benefits. Provide consultation to business unit management staff to determine solutions to business problems.

35%

• Apply data analytics, statistics, data development and reporting to support research and analysis.  Act as central point of synthesis for information from multiple sources (external industry research, multiple internal customers, etc.).  Help ensure quality and relevance of information used to support critical departmental and district decisions.  Act in coordination with customer departments to produce consolidated findings in support of recommendations.

10%

• Facilitate strategic plan development, business case development, and feasibility studies for new initiatives.  Identifies business benefits desired, options to achieve them and associated costs/risks of each. Performs research and analysis to provide data to support recommendations.

10%

• Develop Process Documentation including business process/procedure documentation, or updates to related District policies and procedures and reference materials.

5%

• Provide facilitation of meetings, workshops and planning sessions to build consensus, make decisions, and develop plans.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.
• May mentor other Continuous Improvement Analysts and Project Coordinators or business staff involved in project management

DISTRICT WIDE CORE COMPETENCIES:

Collaboration
Develops cooperation and teamwork while participating in a group, working toward solutions which generally benefit all involved parties.

• Is seen as a team player who encourages efficient and effective collaborations.
• Works skillfully in difficult situations with both internal and external groups.
• Represents his/her own interests while being open-minded to other groups.
• Builds respectful and productive relationships internally and externally.

Getting Results (Action Oriented)
Performs work with energy and drive; values planning, but will take quick, decisive action when an opportunity presents itself.

• Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and getting work done.
• Focuses on achieving the goal even in the face of obstacles.
• Assumes responsibility for starting and finishing work with minimal supervision.
• Strives for new levels of performance.

Decision Quality & Problem Solving
Uses analysis, wisdom, experience and logical methods to make good decisions and solve difficult problems with effective solutions; appropriately incorporates multiple inputs to establish shared ownership and effective action.

• Weighs the consequences of options before making a decision.
• Applies appropriate criteria to situations for the purpose of making decisions.
• Displays self-confidence in own judgment.
• Focuses in the facts and solutions instead of opinions and problems.

Integrity
Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; presents truthful information in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn't misrepresent him/herself for personal gain.

• Deals with people and situations in an honest and forthright manner.
• Represents information and data accurately and completely.
• Represents the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.
• Takes ownership if a mistake is their own and does not blame others.

Accountability
Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely and cost-effective results; determines objectives, sets priorities and delegates work; accepts responsibility for mistakes; complies with established control systems and rules.

• Takes responsibility and action as if the risks (financial or otherwise) are his or her own.
• Holds individuals and team accountable for their actions and results.
• Initiates action even if outcome is uncertain and is willing to accept the consequences of failure.
• Aligns own activities and priorities to meet broader organizational needs.
• Demonstrates courage and confidence in his or her own ability.

RELEVANT COMPETENCIES:

Managing Through Processes & Systems

Designs practices, processes, and procedures necessary to get things done; simplifies complex processes; gets more out of fewer.

• Sets clear, well-defined outcomes for desired results and tracks progress.
• Breaks down objectives into actionable steps with targeted deadlines.
• Leverages and uses resources efficiently and creatively to achieve desired outcomes.

Customer Focus
Commits to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders; acts with stakeholders in mind; values importance of providing high-quality customer service.

• Makes customers and their needs a primary focus of his/her actions.
• Thinks ahead and considers the impact of actions both internally and externally.
• Develops trust, credibility and maintains strong relationships with customers.
• Goes the extra mile to satisfy customer needs and expectations.

Drive for Results

Pursues everything with energy, drive, and a need to finish; does not give up before finishing, even in the face of resistance or setbacks' steadfastly pushes self and others for results.

• Sets and maintains high performance standards for self and others.
• Motivates others to convert ideas into actions and results.
• Recognizes and takes advantage of opportunities to deliver results.
• Has a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and getting things done.

Organizational Agility

Knowledgeable about how organizations work; gets things done both through formal and informal channels; effectively maneuvers through complex political situations.

• Understands the interests, motivations and agendas of others.
• Uses the "informal" channels to get things done without creating problems with the "formal" channels.
• Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of how actions may impact stakeholders.
• Makes comments that move the group or situations towards a productive outcome.

Managerial Courage

Tactfully dispenses direct and actionable feedback; is open and direct with others without being intimidating; deals head-on with people problems and prickly situations.

• Lets people know where they stand and faces up to people problems quickly, directly and respectfully.
• Responds constructively to challenging situations or people even under stress.
• Does not hold back on anything that needs be said or done in a productive and constructive way.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge:

• LEAN Continuous Improvement methodology
• Project Management methodology
• Data analysis and reporting best practices  
• Structured problem-solving techniques

Skills:

• Strong systematic problem solving skills.  Extensive experience with data analytics, statistics, and data insights reporting.
• Advanced skills with data analysis, reporting and presentation tools such as Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, graphing, macros, formulas, linking multiple data sets, etc.)
• Strong facilitation skills
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills with the ability to negotiate and influence others.
• Excellent written/verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Financial analysis skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Products:  Word, Power Point, Visio, Outlook, Sharepoint

Abilities:

• Proven ability to develop strategies, implement best practices and process improvements.
• Able to work with business leadership to translate business problems into specific questions, identify most relevant data to inform those questions, and synthesize data quickly to inform decisions.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross functional teams.
• Ability to work under pressure and within tight deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
 
Five (5) or more years of direct work experience in a project management capacity, including all aspects of process development and execution; demonstrated experience in a lead capacity; experience working in a K-12 Education environment preferred; Bachelor's degree in mathematics, computer science, business administration or related field or completion of equivalent training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work will be considered.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES:
Project Management Professional (PMP)

DESIRED CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES:
 Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), Organizational Change Management, ITIL or other Project Management certification preferred.

CONTINUING EDUCATION/TRAINING:
CE work in Process Improvement, project management, statistical or data analysis, business analysis or related subject areas preferred
 
CLEARANCES:
Criminal Justice fingerprint and background check.

Salary : $106,517 - $136,781