Project Manager, Common Charter Application Initiative

Posted by Philadelphia School Partnership on September 25, 2017

The Project Manager, Common Charter Application Initiative will be responsible for managing the design and implementation of a single online application portal for families to use to apply to Philadelphia charter schools. The launch of the online portal is scheduled for Fall 2018. The Project Manager reports to the Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships and also works closely with the Director of GreatPhillySchools and their team.

Primary Responsibilities include:
• Oversee the design and implementation of a single online application portal for families to use to apply to Philadelphia charter schools by Fall 2018.
• Manage the steering committee, working groups, and a wide variety of external stakeholders, including staff at public charter schools and the School District of Philadelphia, as well as vendors and community partners to inform the portal design and implementation.
• Manage external consultants and/or interns.

Successful candidates will have demonstrated experience in successful project management, in addition to being highly skilled in written and oral communication.

PSP is an equal-opportunity employer with good benefits and an entrepreneurial, results-oriented work culture.

Duties and Responsibilities
• Manage External Stakeholders:
o Chair and facilitate a steering committee and working groups of charter operators and staff to build consensus around the application portal, policies and procedures, and public awareness and outreach strategies.
o Facilitate one-on-one, small group and large group information sessions for charter leaders, charter staff, and other city stakeholders and leadership.
o Generate talking points, presentations, data analytics and related materials to communicate about the portal to citywide stakeholders and charter school staff about the portal
• Policy & Technical Design:
o Identify and manage external vendors to support the technical solutions and design for the portal.
o In consultation with the working group, design the policies that would govern implementation of a common portal for charter applications.
o Work with GPS to gather family input on portal design and usage and integration with GPS.
• Launch and Ongoing Support
o Provide technical assistance and support to charter schools through the process of implementing the portal including training materials for charter operators and staff
o Develop and implement plan to support end users (i.e., families) with online application portal
o Work with GPS to design outreach, marketing, and educational materials for families

• Work with PSP leadership to integrate this effort into the long-term vision for unifying enrollment and design the funding and functions for launch and sustainability.
• Participate in strategic discussion and decision-making around the long-term goals for unifying enrollment (e.g. make recommendations for governing of a fully unified system long term).
• Other duties as assigned

Competencies & Qualifications
• Demonstrated project management skills: ability to set and adhere to strict deadlines, manage multiple projects while maintaining a firm grasp of individual project details, ability to hold internal and external stakeholders accountable, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Experience developing and leading projects that involve multiple stakeholders
• Excellent written, presentation, and communication skills
• Demonstrated managerial experience, specifically with external vendors and/or direct reports
• Willingness and desire to participate in unexpected projects
• A passion to improve educational opportunities for children and families is required;
• Familiarity with the Philadelphia charter school community and education sector is preferred.

Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree strongly preferred
• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience
• Demonstrated project management experience
• Experience in education a plus but not required
• Written fluency in Spanish, preferred

Physical Requirements
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required such as:
• Traveling to schools – valid driver’s license and/or access to transportation when necessary
• Functioning in office space – reaching file cabinets, filing, faxing, scanning, coping, typing, mailing, making phone calls
• Must be able to sit for up to two hours looking at a computer monitor, using a keyboard/mouse and typing

https://www.philaschoolpartnership.org/who-we-are/career-opportunities-at-psp-2/