PROGRAM MANAGER, STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
About The Position
The Program Manager, Strategic Initiatives is responsible for establishing, coordinating, reporting on, and maintaining enterprise-level work efforts, including Denver Public Schools’ Oracle-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. The role develops and implements program and project management processes in alignment with district methodology and the Strategic Roadmap, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, to high-quality standards, and in a way that meets customer expectations. At least 50% of the role is dedicated to the ERP, including managing its governance structure and committees and leading ERP projects; the role may support the ERP for more than 50% of its time. The position leads high-impact, district-wide initiatives from ideation through execution; establishes governance and communication practices; oversees project teams, resources, budgets, schedules, and deliverables; and leads complex technology solutions through requirements gathering, process redesign, vendor selection and management, system design, testing, and deployment. It also tracks outcomes, manages risks and issues, leads continuous improvement, and builds inclusive, collaborative relationships across district teams and external partners. The position is full-time and in-office, with no hybrid option. Employees must live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado. Denver Public Schools offers compensation of $101,781–$124,662, along with time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA retirement.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Program and Project Management.
- At least 5 years of organizational planning strategy experience.
- Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while employed.
- Ability to work full-time in the office; hybrid options are not available.
- Ability, with or without accommodations, to meet the physical demands of the position.
- Knowledge of program management best practices.
- Knowledge of product management and best practices.
- Ability to work effectively and produce high results independently or as part of a team.
- Ability to foster effective relationships with district staff, schools, and external partners.
- Ability to prioritize multiple projects; develop and implement short- and long-range goals; establish priorities; and organize resources.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks without compromising integrity or fidelity and to handle competing demands and deadlines.
- Experience and proficiency with Microsoft Office products and/or project management software, such as Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
- Integrity in handling confidential information.
- Extensive knowledge and expertise in project management methodologies and tools, resource management practices, and change management techniques.
- Commitment to racial and educational excellence, dismantling systems of oppression and inequity, and supporting students so they feel seen and heard and have access to high-quality education.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree in Business, Public Policy, or Organizational Psychology.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
- Knowledge of ERP systems.
Responsibilities
- Establish, coordinate, report on, and maintain enterprise-level work efforts, including the district’s Oracle-based ERP.
- Develop and implement program and project management processes aligned with district methodology and the Strategic Roadmap.
- Dedicate at least 50% of the role to ERP work, including managing ERP governance structures and committees and leading ERP-specific projects.
- Develop comprehensive communication strategies so relevant district stakeholders are informed about project issues and status.
- Lead a portfolio of high-impact, district-wide initiatives from ideation through execution, translating concepts into plans with milestones, outcomes, and success measures.
- Maintain and enforce governance frameworks that establish decision-making rights, regulatory alignment, and accountability across ERP and project lifecycles.
- Lead project deliverables and communications, and develop and monitor project charters, work plans, work breakdown schedules, milestones, status reports, project teams, resource plans, and budgets.
- For complex technical efforts, develop and implement holistic technology solutions, including requirements gathering, process re-engineering and design, vendor selection and management, system design, testing, and deployment.
- Use Software Development Life Cycle methodologies to support on-time and on-budget technology implementations.
- Exchange information and provide regular feedback to project leaders, department heads, management, and senior leadership.
- Define and track qualitative and quantitative outcomes; lead post-project reflection and improvement processes.
- Identify, track, communicate, and resolve project issues, risks, and dependencies; lead risk identification and mitigation planning.
- Lead continuous improvement efforts across the ERP and other projects to optimize workflows, reduce bottlenecks, improve execution quality, and increase efficiency.
- Create inclusive environments, build trust across teams, seek understanding, and model humble leadership.
- Manage multimillion-dollar technology, business, and/or operational budgets, including purchase and implementation costs.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Time off.
- Health and wellness benefits.
- PERA retirement.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
