Project manager - planning

Job Title

Position Title: Project Manager, Strategic Planning

Location: Fisher Building, 11th Floor

Salary: $64,373 - $99,486

Reports to: Senior Director, Strategic Planning

Benefits Eligible : Yes

Telecommuting Eligibility: Eligible for telecommuting up to 20% (one day per week)

Position Summary:

The Project Manager, Strategic Planning, plays a critical role in advancing the district's strategic initiatives by managing cross-functional projects that drive progress toward key priorities. Working closely with the Senior Director of Strategic Planning, this individual ensures alignment between projects, department objectives, and districtwide goals outlined in the strategic plan. The Project Manager oversees the design, implementation, and monitoring of major initiatives, ensuring they are executed with precision, collaboration, and measurable impact.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, education, or similar fields.

• 3-5 years of experience in project management or strategy implementation within an educational, government, or public sector environment.

• Demonstrated success leading multiple, complex projects and coordinating cross-departmental teams.

• Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex initiatives into clear, actionable plans.

• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Planner, Asana, Smartsheet) and Microsoft 365 suite (Teams, SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Experience monitoring progress through dashboards, metrics, or milestone tracking tools.

• Commitment to educational equity and continuous improvement.

• Ability to manage competing priorities, maintain attention to detail, and operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Essential Functions:

• Lead Strategic Priority Projects:

Plan, coordinate, and execute district strategic priority projects from initiation to completion. Define project scope, establish clear goals and milestones, and ensure alignment with the district's strategic framework. Track progress and provide status updates to senior leadership.

• Cross-Departmental Coordination:
  Facilitate collaboration across multiple central office teams to ensure project alignment, effective communication, and timely delivery. Anticipate barriers, problem-solve collaboratively, and ensure accountability for deliverables.

• Project Planning and Implementation:
  Develop detailed project plans, including timelines, milestones, deliverables, and ownership. Identify dependencies, manage risk, and adjust plans as needed to maintain momentum and alignment with strategic goals.

• Performance Monitoring and Reporting:
  Develop and maintain systems for tracking project performance metrics. Evaluate the impact of initiatives on district outcomes, identify opportunities for improvement, and make data-informed recommendations for scaling or refinement.

• Strategic Alignment and Prioritization:
  Support district and departmental leaders in prioritizing initiatives that advance strategic goals. Facilitate decision-making processes to ensure resources are directed toward the highest-impact work.

• Process Improvement and Analysis:
  Map and assess key workflows to identify bottlenecks, capacity, and utilization. Partner with teams to identify and streamline processes, improve efficiency, and strengthen cross-departmental execution of strategic priorities.

• Communication and Change Management:
  Create clear communication plans and materials to support project rollouts. Develop stakeholder updates, presentations, and briefings that articulate goals, progress, and outcomes. Apply change management strategies to ensure stakeholder engagement and adoption.

• Documentation and Knowledge Management:
  Maintain comprehensive documentation for all assigned projects, including charters, decision logs, and progress reports. Establish templates and standards to support knowledge sharing and continuity.

• Executive Support:
  Prepare high-quality materials for senior leadership, including board presentations, strategic updates, and implementation plans. Ensure project documentation and reporting align with district expectations for transparency and accountability.

• Continuous Improvement and Reflection:
  Regularly assess project management practices and tools to enhance team efficiency and project outcomes. Identify lessons learned and best practices to inform future planning cycles.

• Other Duties:

Perform other duties as assigned by manager.

Security Clearance:

Internal Applicants

If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check.

External Applicants

In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire.

Method of Application:

Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered.

Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at [email protected] or phone at (313) 873-6897.Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested.

DPSCD does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability and/or religion. Contact the Civil Rights Coordinator for more information at (313) 240-4377 or detroitk12.org/compliance.