Senior Project Manager

Partners for Rural Impact’s (PRI) ultimate goal is for an America where all kids are successful, regardless of zip code, income, background, or ability.  At PRI, our focus is on ensuring that all children in rural places achieve success. Partners for Rural Impact was born out of our place-based partnership in Appalachia, where we’ve worked for 25 years to create student opportunity and success. 

Position Summary 

Reporting directly to the Vice President, the Sr. Project Manager is a versatile role that will look to identify, develop, and implement recommendations for improvement across multiple teams within PRI.  The role will manage complex projects, coordinate people and processes, and ensure that the teams supporting the building of a Movement of Rural Leaders is aligned around the strategic objectives of PRI.  Responsibilities include coordinating meetings and agendas, submitting project deliverables, preparing status reports, and establishing effective project communication plans to ensure proper execution. The successful candidate will have proven project management experience and can coordinate with colleagues across teams and externally through multiple multi-layered projects, while maintaining professional judgment, strong written and verbal communication skills, and great attention to detail and organization. The ideal candidate must be innovative and creative and enjoy working within an entrepreneurial environment that is mission-driven, results-driven, and community-oriented. The position leads and operates with the goal that All Rural Students Succeed.      

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements of the position are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with regular and predictable attendance essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

•  Work with colleagues to lead the development and documentation of processes, procedures, tracking tools, dashboards and other systems improvements to help the team support PRI in reaching its strategic goals  

• Perform the full range of the project management life cycle (initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing) for the team and ensure the projects are aligned to the strategic initiatives of PRI 

• Coordinate multiple people around multiple projects, which includes communicating project goals, setting deadlines, assigning responsibilities, and monitoring and summarizing the progress of projects by analyzing data and preparing status reports 

• Research and recommend to VP areas for organizational growth, efficiency and improvement 

• Work with a team to support the roll out, data entry and clean up, training, organization wide utilization, and ongoing troubleshooting of Salesforce as a CRM and data tool 

• Develop knowledge of the work of PRI by attending rural education seminars and workshops, reviewing publications related to rural education, and establishing professional networks within PRI and with our strategic partners 

• Oversee organizational success metrics by monitoring progress toward the strategic plan, regularly reviewing results with the executive team, and recommending opportunities for continuous improvement 

• Develops forms, collects data, creates documents, and drafts processes and procedures to support business workflows 

• Facilitate team meetings that support alignment to organizational goals 

• Represent the Vice President in internal and external meetings as needed 

• At the Vice President’s request, monitor and support internal, cross-portfolio PRI projects and initiatives by providing agenda development, neutral facilitation, and project management 

• Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist and support in the attainment of our mission, All Rural Students Succeed  
   

Position Location & Schedule 

The Senior Project Manager may be considered for remote work with periodic travel required.   

Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET with in-office, hybrid and/or remote work a possibility. Because of the nature of the responsibility to schools, partners, funders, and to the service region, individual offices or departments may have operating hours that extend beyond this period and may include evening and/or weekend hours. 

Minimum Qualifications 

Education required to ensure success in this position: 

• Bachelor’s degree in business, education, technology or related field preferred 

Experience required to ensure success in this position: 

• Minimum of five plus years of experience managing complex and varied projects through the PM life cycle from initiation, to implementation, through evaluation 

• A strong commitment to the mission of Partners for Rural Impact that All Rural Students Succeed 

• Demonstrated experience with project management software tools, methodologies, and best practice 

• Demonstrated commitment working in and with rural communities with a focus on equity and upward mobility 

• Demonstrated success in a complex, fast-paced, high-performing organization, with the ability to prioritize projects and work cross-functionally 

• Able to multitask and work independently 

• Professional Management Professional (PMP) certification a plus 

Special skills, knowledge and abilities: 

• Highly self-motivated, professional, and capable of managing team priorities and prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced environment  

• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, with an ability to work with organization-specific programs and software  

• Demonstrated excellence in written communications, including technical writing and editing  

• Strong organizational, project management and problem-solving skills with impeccable multi-tasking abilities  

• Exceptional interpersonal skills  

• Friendly and professional demeanor  

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and protect the private nature of files and conversations. 

License, certification, or registration necessary: 

• Valid driver’s license 

• Successfully complete pre-employment background check 

Physical requirements: 

• Ability to work independently in a home office environment  

• Ability to accurately communicate and exchange information with partners, stakeholders, and/or meeting participants  

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs.  

• Ability to travel independently by car and plane regionally and nationally  

• Ability to operate standard office equipment  

• Ability to operate motor vehicle 

Environmental conditions: 

• Work in a fast-paced setting with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities  

• Must be able to travel for team meetings and partner convenings 

Additional Company Information  

PRI offers a wide array of benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, and health needs of you and your family. 

• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage. 

• Flexible spending accounts, plus an employee assistance program. 

• Life and long-term disability insurance and retirement plan. 

• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and annual holidays, in addition to paid parental leave. 

• Tuition assistance and professional development for employees. 

Partners for Rural Impact is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.