Lead Program Manager

Please note: This is a remote position however to be considered applicants must be located in the New England region

Education is ever-evolving. And so are we.

We seek passionate people from diverse backgrounds who are committed to helping improve the work of schools as a trusted partner in advancing learning. By joining the Cognia team, you will be immersed in a community of energetic and resourceful people dedicated to a common vision to impact and inspire education providers to advance and enable pathways of success for all learners. At Cognia we have developed a holistic approach to education that empowers schools to create real outcomes and optimize learning for students of all backgrounds. Serving over 40,000 institutions from early learning through high school in more than 100 countries and territories, Cognia brings universally recognized perspective to advancing teaching and learning. When you join Cognia, you join a team of experts passionate about our mission and embracing our core values in everything we do.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

The Lead Program Manager leads and directs a strategically important client contract, program or collection of programs, and operations grouped together to facilitate effective management of that work to meet business objectives. The Lead Program Manager develops and implements innovative and strategic solutions for new business proposals and renewal business to ensure long term revenue growth and delivery of the highest quality programs and services in assigned business segments. Develops and coaches program managers in team, customer, partner and/or vendor relationship management. Provides oversight and guidance for all assigned activities and maintains direct contact with stakeholders to meet stakeholder needs and enhance the company's reputation. Interacts frequently with staff from other departments within the company to represent the stakeholders' needs and perspectives, as well as to provide information critical to developing timely and effective solutions. This position has profit and loss, productivity and/or business process improvement accountability impacting gross margin and/or cost of sales.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES:

• Plan, initiate, execute, monitor and control activities throughout the program's life cycle to achieve intended benefits; identify and implement opportunities for process improvement.
• Utilize formalized and standardized program and portfolio management processes, tools and techniques to realize the aggregate performance goals and strategic benefits of the portfolio.
• Contributes to influencing the organization for business development and continuous process/organizational improvement.
• Conduct annual planning in support of improved stakeholder satisfaction, contract and/or revenue performance, e.g., sell-up opportunities, quality, project plan and/or productivity improvements.
• Assist with and/or prepare activities related to proposal solution design and development and/or work plan and budget development.
• Identify opportunities to inform or influence business products and services; make connections to other areas of the organization to achieve business objectives to maintain or grow the business.
• Negotiate and influence scope, schedule and price for projects and programs; make tactical adjustments in program execution to better meet program contract and broader strategic business goals or to maintain or expand the business.
• Collaborate with management to develop and implement project/program management strategy and practices aligned with industry best practices.
• Use process improvement methodologies (such as Six Sigma) and maturity models for continuous functional and organizational improvement.

Management Responsibilities:

• Be responsible for administrative duties including supervising staff, providing guidance on career development for managers and other employees, contributing to development of employee improvement plans, executing any necessary terminations, and ensuring timely delivery of performance appraisals.
• Formulate department goal strategies and activities to align to larger organizational goals; determine cascaded individual goals; participate in goal activities, monitor progress, and provide support toward meeting individual and department goals.
• Identify one's own changing talent skill and competency requirements and develop personal development plan.
• Delegate assignments and manage performance of direct reports and program team members for succession planning.
• Assist and mentor the program managers in resolving complex situations and appropriately identify critical issues and formulate solutions with management.
• Model and foster open and effective communication within the department, with other entities within the organization, and with external stakeholders.
• Perform duties and fulfill responsibilities that may, from time to time, include related or unrelated tasks.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in education, business, or related field required; Master's degree is preferred
• Must have a minimum of six (6) years of related program or project management experience, inclusive of at least five (5) years of progressively responsible education and/or assessment industry-based operational, contract management of large, complex education/assessment programs and/or domain experience. A general knowledge and current understanding of the education and/or assessment industry and applicable practices, policies, and issues is required, including the technical, financial, and political elements that can impact the quality and direction of education and/or assessment programs and the perspectives of clients
• Must have at least three (3) years of experience in the education and/or assessment industry managing professional staff
• Knowledge and application of PMBOK practices required
• PMI certification required (PMP, PgMP, or PfMP)

Competencies:

• The ability to manage with vision and purpose; deploy and develop staff and other resources to ensure standards of excellence and optimal performance
• The appropriate knowledge to successfully manage resources and execute business objectives and/or deliverables on behalf of the organization
• Exemplifies corporate standards of conduct and values including business ethics, integrity, and honesty in dealings with staff, clients, vendors, and other stakeholders of the organization; the ability to exhibit an open collaborative and constructive approach to achieving business results that ensures accountability for function(s) under management; displays a visible commitment to the organization's high standards of quality, the achievement of its corporate business strategy, and fulfillment of its mission
• The ability to convey both orally and in writing, various business priorities, goals, values, and objectives inside and outside the organization in a manner that is understandable and persuasive to target audiences
• Client/stakeholder management skills; ability to define appropriate expectations and execute client communications in collaboration with project sponsors and leadership
• Strong communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills
• Proficiency with SharePoint, Jira, and/or other project management tools in addition to the Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Project, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Visio)

Anticipated Travel (may include local, national, and/or international travel):

• Significant travel (20-40%)

At Cognia, we recognize the critical role played by our teams in carrying out the organization's important educational mission. As a reflection of that recognition our exceptional benefits offerings include generous paid time off and holiday breaks, comprehensive insurance plans, and a 12.5% retirement savings contribution which is immediately vested, all effective on your date of hire. This represents a strong commitment by the organization to attract and retain the highest quality workforce - to ensure our continued ability to effectively serve our mission for years to come.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristics protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations. Cognia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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