Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Educational Innovation

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

8d•$165,000 - $180,000

About The Position

The USC Center for Affective Neuroscience, Development, Learning and Education (CANDLE) is seeking a highly motivated and entrepreneurial Project Manager to support the development, implementation, and growth of strategic initiatives that translate research into educational practice and policy. This role will report directly to the Executive Director and work closely with the Center's scientific, educational practice, operations, and program leadership teams. The Project Manager will help advance CANDLE's mission by supporting the development of new project lines, strategic partnerships, district engagement efforts, revenue-generating initiatives, and externally funded opportunities. The position requires a unique blend of project management expertise, educational leadership experience, relationship development skills, and the ability to work across research, practice, fundraising, and organizational development functions. The Project Manager will play a central role in expanding the reach and impact of CANDLE's work by helping educators, school systems, and organizational partners apply developmental affective neuroscience, Science of Learning and Development (SOLD) principles, transcendent thinking, and whole-child approaches to educational improvement and redesign.

Requirements

Master's degree required
10 years of progressively responsible project or program management experience
Strong knowledge of Science of Learning and Development (SOLD) frameworks and their application in educational settings.
Deep understanding of whole-child development approaches and educational transformation efforts.
Familiarity with USC CANDLE's research, frameworks, and approach to translating developmental affective neuroscience into practice.
Understanding of transcendent thinking and its implications for teaching, learning, identity development, purpose, meaning making, and educational redesign.
Experience working with school systems, district leadership teams, educational organizations, foundations, intermediary organizations, or strategic partners.
Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects from concept through implementation.
Experience supporting organizational growth, partnership development, and new initiative development.
Demonstrated success in proposal development, grant writing, fundraising support, or business development activities.
Strong facilitation, presentation, and relationship management skills.
Ability to work effectively across research, practice, operational, and external partnership environments.
Excellent written communication and project management capabilities.
Commitment to educational equity, human development, and innovation in education.
Familiarity with educational research methodologies and evidence translation.
Experience working with interdisciplinary teams that include researchers and practitioners.
Experience supporting large-scale implementation of educational innovation initiatives.
Experience developing and scaling educational innovations across multiple districts, schools, or educational networks.
Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
5 years, Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience
Directly related education and project administration experience in specialized field represented by project

Nice To Haves

Doctorate preferred
7–10+ years working with school systems, educational innovation organizations, research-practice partnerships, foundations, or educational nonprofits

Responsibilities

Support the Executive Director and senior leadership team in identifying, developing, and launching new strategic initiatives.
Manage the planning and implementation of complex projects that advance CANDLE's research, educational practice, and public engagement objectives.
Develop project plans, timelines, implementation strategies, budgets, deliverables, and reporting systems.
Coordinate cross-functional teams that include researchers, educators, consultants, district partners, and external collaborators.
Support the development of new service offerings, partnership opportunities, and revenue-generating initiatives.
Build and maintain relationships with school districts, educational organizations, foundations, intermediary organizations, and strategic partners.
Support district engagement efforts focused on educational redesign, educator learning, leadership development, and implementation of transcendent thinking approaches.
Assist in the development and execution of partnership agreements, pilot programs, and implementation plans.
Represent CANDLE in meetings, presentations, conferences, and professional learning events.
Collaborate with the Educational Practice team in the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of professional learning experiences and innovation programs.
Support planning and delivery of CANDLE's Innovation Lab, COLABs, educator learning communities, workshops, design sprints, and related initiatives.
Coordinate logistics, communications, partner engagement, implementation support, and evaluation activities.
Identify and track funding opportunities aligned with CANDLE's strategic priorities.
Assist with proposal development, grant writing, budgets, concept papers, presentations, and funder communications.
Support donor cultivation activities, partnership development efforts, and strategic outreach.
Contribute to the development of sustainability strategies for new and existing initiatives.
Establish project management systems, workflows, documentation processes, and reporting mechanisms.
Monitor project progress, risks, budgets, timelines, and deliverables.
Prepare reports, briefing materials, presentations, and project updates for leadership, partners, and funders.
Coordinate activities across program, research, communications, and operations functions.
Support continuous improvement efforts through data collection, stakeholder feedback, and evaluation findings.