Location: Brooklyn,NY, USA
Overview
Ascend is seeking to hire a strategic, analytical, exceptional project manager as its Senior Director of Strategy. As the Senior Director, you will own and drive cross-functional, large scale projects across Ascend. This role will be responsible for owning end-to-end management of strategic projects, including: project plan development and execution, ensuring holistic stakeholder buy-in to efficiently achieve milestones, and robust risk and control practices for proactive resolution of blockers for on-time delivery to the highest standard. This individual will manage operational procedures that are streamlined and aligned with project management best practices and requires excellent organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and a keen sense on moving different teams towards the same goal.
Responsibilities
Project Planning and Management
* Develop comprehensive project plans outlining goals, timelines, resources, and milestones.
* Work directly with the Chief Strategy Officer to prioritize and execute on deliverables across the organization
* Coordinate with stakeholders across functional areas to ensure project alignment
* Act as a strategic thought partner to the executive team to drive success of cross-functional initiatives
* Manager workstream progress across a variety of projects, adapting with ease to new information and content
* Maintain robust reporting on projects throughout the project lifecycle, through closure/handoff to functional area lead.
Stakeholder Collaboration
* Work closely with Ascend Learning teams, Ascend school staff, and any external stakeholders to understand their needs and incorporate feedback into project planning and execution
* Facilitation regular meetings and communication channels to keep stakeholders informed and engaged
* Establish efficient systems of operating to drive cross-functional collaboration
* Lead change management efforts to facilitate successful project hand-off to the product/end owner.
Performance Monitoring
* Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented processes.
* Prepare and present regular reports on project status, risks, and outcomes to the executive team on a consistent cadence.
* Use data to make informed decisions and recommendations
Risk Management
* Working closely with the Chief Strategy Officer, develop risk mitigation strategies to address risks proactively.
Qualifications
* Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree preferred (MPA, MBA, or other relevant degree)
* Minimum of five years' experience structuring and managing complex cross-functional projects and demonstrating analytical and strategic thinking skills
* Strong project management as well as time and task management skills, enabling multiple and large-scale projects to be completed on time; proven track record of setting and achieving ambitious goals
* Proven ability to lead and drive change, including influencing and motivating others through building and maintaining strong relationships
* Facility to move comfortably between high level strategic thinking and intricate details
* Ability to learn quickly, to pivot when needed, and to be effective in a fast-paced, dynamic, and entrepreneurial environment
* Effective written and verbal communication,strong active listening skills, and the ability to tell stories through written and oral presentations
* Ability to inspire and influence and manage a team to produce highest-quality work
Diversity at Ascend
Ascend is committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist community, both through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and educating students. Ascend staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities-opening a window to the entire Ascend community on the richness of humanity. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our deeply consequential work.
Compensation
The starting salary range for this position is $115,000-$140,000 . Several factors such as candidate's work experience, education/training, job-related skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations may influence base pay offered. This salary range is reflective of a position based in New York City.