Program Manager I - 61151443

State of South Carolina • Lexington County, SC

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

The South Carolina Department of Education seeks a results-oriented leader to manage the Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF), established under Title 59, Chapter 8 of the South Carolina Code. Located in the Office of Education Choice and Family Engagement, the Program Manager sets annual goals and priorities and translates them into effective processes, systems, and team assignments. The position ensures program compliance, data-informed operations, and accountability for staff and vendors, while providing accurate reporting to agency leadership, the General Assembly, and oversight bodies. The role reports to the Director of Education Choice and Family Engagement.

The Program Manager oversees the ESTF operational cycle, including applications, awards, renewals, provider approval, and assessment reporting. The role maintains compliance with statute and regulations, ensures program data quality, prepares required reports and responses to authorized data requests, develops and supervises the program team, and manages vendor relationships and contracts. The position also communicates progress and risks to leadership, engages families, schools, and partners, and coordinates across agency divisions.

The position is based at South Carolina Department of Education facilities in West Columbia, South Carolina, with a hybrid work schedule and opportunity for remote work. The department describes its compensation package as including comprehensive benefits, paid leave, health care benefits, professional development opportunities, a pension, and a 401(k).

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• Relevant program experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing a program or operations with recurring, deadline-driven deliverables and regulatory or compliance requirements.
• Experience supervising or leading staff, including setting expectations, reviewing work, and holding team members accountable.
• Excellent written communication skills and ability to produce clear, accurate, well-organized documents for executive, legislative, and technical audiences.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with ability to manage multiple priorities and consistently meet deadlines.
• Sound judgment, professional demeanor, and strong customer service skills.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree and relevant experience in education, management, or public administration.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and deliver ESTF operations across the annual cycle, including applications, awards, renewals, provider approval, and assessment reporting.
• Set goals and timelines, oversee a master calendar of statutory deadlines, and continually improve program delivery.
• Ensure compliance with ESTF statutes and regulations, track obligations, maintain current written standard operating procedures, and proactively resolve risks.
• Ensure program data are accurate, complete, and reconciled; establish procedures for matching student records, reconciling expected rosters, and documenting data sources and limitations.
• Partner with Research and IT on sustainable, automated data processes.
• Prepare required reports to the General Assembly, Education Oversight Committee data submissions, and the annual public report; coordinate complete and accurate responses to authorized data requests.
• Assign, direct, and review staff work against clear expectations, verify quality, and cross-train staff so no critical function depends on one person.
• Manage vendor relationships and contracts, including the scholarship account platform; monitor deliverables, service levels, data quality, and security, and hold vendors accountable.
• Keep the Director and agency leadership informed about status, risks, and projected completion dates; prepare and present progress reports; escalate issues promptly when deliverables are at risk.
• Oversee professional handling of inquiries from parents, providers, legislators, and stakeholders; lead presentations, outreach, and public meetings; and build lasting partnerships.
• Coordinate with Finance, Procurement, General Counsel, Research, IT, Communications, and Government Relations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employee, spouse, and children.
• 15 days of annual (vacation) leave per year.
• 15 days of sick leave per year.
• 13 paid holidays.
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Hybrid work schedule with opportunity for remote work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager