Manager, Project Management (Hybrid)

Lakeshore Learning Materials•Carson, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

As Manager of Project Management on our RD&D team, you’ll lead a team of project managers responsible for taking products from early concept through launch. You’ll set the conditions for your team to do their best work: clear priorities, smart risk management, and the kind of coaching that builds both confidence and capability. If you care about developing people and delivering results that end up in classrooms and homes, this role is for you. This position is based in Carson, CA, and follows a hybrid work model, with in-office presence on designated days.

Requirements

5+ years of project management experience in a product development environment, with a track record of delivering complex, multi-phase projects on time
2+ years of direct people management experience, including hiring, coaching, and developing salaried team members
Demonstrated ability to manage risk proactively — identifying issues before they become problems and guiding a team through ambiguity without losing momentum
Strong cross-functional influencing skills with the ability to align stakeholders across departments and navigate competing priorities without formal authority
Proficiency in project management tools and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly for tracking progress, analyzing performance, and communicating status to leadership

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a related field
PMP certification or equivalent formal project management training
Familiarity with product introduction processes, sales and operations planning, or Stage-Gate product development frameworks
Experience managing through organizational change or leading a team during periods of process transition
Hands-on experience with Workfront or a comparable project management platform

Responsibilities

Leading and developing a team of project managers—setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback and building each person’s ability to anticipate risk and drive decisions independently
Owning the health of the project portfolio from concept through launch, ensuring project plans are well-built, risks are surfaced early and escalation paths are clear
Serving as the connective tissue across departments—aligning stakeholders, clearing bottlenecks and making sure the right approvals happen
Reporting regularly to RD&D leadership on project status, risks and mitigation strategies, translating complex work streams into clear, actionable updates
Facilitating team discussions and decision-making forums that help your project managers resolve conflicts, make timely decisions and keep work moving
Driving continuous improvement across the team’s project management practices — analyzing performance data, identifying patterns and building better ways of working over time
Partnering on hiring, onboarding and developing new team members so they’re set up to contribute quickly and grow into the role