Project Manager, Business Optimization (Contractor)

• *Compensation Range:** Hourly: $38.00 - $38.00 • *Position Summary** The Project Manager, Business Optimization plays a key role in improving organizational efficiency, coordination, and operational execution across the Academies. They will manage cross-functional initiatives that strengthen business operations, optimize workflows, and ensure progress across strategic priorities. The Project Manager partners with leadership and teams across sales, marketing, product, finance, and client success to coordinate workstreams, improve reporting and dashboards, and ensure initiatives are implemented effectively. They will support operational excellence by translating strategic priorities into clear project plans, improving visibility into organizational performance, and strengthening the systems and processes that enable the organization to scale. • *Essential Functions: • *Business Optimization & Operational Initiatives • Leads initiatives and projects that leverage AI to improve organizational systems, workflows, and operational efficiency. • Identifies opportunities to streamline systems and reduce operational friction. • Coordinates cross-functional teams to ensure initiatives progress effectively. • Tracks project timelines, deliverables, and milestones. • *Strategic Workstream Management • Maintains visibility across key organizational initiatives and projects. • Tracks progress against priorities across sales, marketing, product, and operations teams. • Maintains project plans and workstream timelines. • Identifies risks, bottlenecks, or resource needs and escalate when appropriate. • Facilitates communication and coordination across departments. • *Executive Dashboards & Organizational Reporting • Builds and maintains executive dashboards tracking key organizational metrics. • Supports development of reporting frameworks across departments. • Coordinates collection of operational and performance data. • Prepares summaries and updates for leadership meetings among diverse stakeholders. • Supports automation of reporting where possible (e.g., sales pipeline and performance, program implementation metrics, operational efficiency indicators, financial and revenue tracking, strategic initiative progress). • *Philanthropic Initiative Coordination • Supports operational management of philanthropic initiatives. • Maintains project plans tracking deliverables, milestones, and timelines tied to philanthropic initiatives. • Coordinates internal teams and cross-functional alignment responsible for implementing funded programs. • Supports preparation of updates and reporting related to funded initiatives. • *Systems & Workflow Coordination • Supports coordination of operational systems and workflow improvements. • Manages the systemic usage of operational systems such as Salesforce, Workday, Teams, Asana, and SharePoint. • Documents workflows and system requirements. • Coordinates with systems administrators and IT teams on implementation projects. • Supports rollout and adoption of AI tools to support operational workflows. • *Operations Playbook & SOP Development • Supports development of scalable operational infrastructure. • Documents Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). • Contributes to development and enhancement of the organization’s Operations Playbook. • Maintains organized documentation within the Shared Services knowledge base. • Supports adoption of operational processes across teams. • *Strategic Initiative & Event Coordination • Supports coordination of major initiatives and leadership events. • Maintains planning timelines for strategic initiatives and events. • Coordinates stakeholders and deliverables across teams. • Tracks key milestones and ensures follow-through on commitments. • Performs other duties as assigned. • *Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A • *Requirements: • *Education & Experience: • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Education or a related field required. • Minimum of four (4) to seven (7) years of experience in project management, business operations, or operational strategy required. • Experience with process improvement methodologies such as Lean Management, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement frameworks preferred. • Experience in Leadership and Management in K-12, Ed Tech, or publishing institution, is preferred. • Proven experience working in fast-paced, dynamic environments with a track record of delivering on multiple, complex projects required. • Strong background in str