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Cognia · 23 hours ago

Lead Program Manager

Alpharetta, GA

Full-time

Hybrid

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$110K/yr - $120K/yr

6+ years exp

Cognia is a leading organization dedicated to improving education and learning outcomes for schools. They are seeking a Lead Program Manager to oversee client contracts and programs, ensuring revenue growth and high-quality service delivery, while also mentoring program managers and enhancing stakeholder relationships.

Education

Responsibilities

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

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

Qualification

Program managementEducation industry experiencePMBOK practicesPMI certificationProcess improvement methodologiesStakeholder managementMicrosoft Office SuiteProject management toolsCommunication skillsNegotiation skillsConflict-resolution skills

Required

Bachelor's degree in education, business, or related field required

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)

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 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)

Significant travel (20-40%)