Project Manager (Priority School)

Colorado Springs School District 11•Colorado Springs, CO

22h•Onsite

About The Position

The Project Manager is a school-based leadership position responsible for leading and coordinating key school improvement and community school initiatives within an identified Priority School. Working in close partnership with school administration, this role oversees the planning, implementation, and alignment of grant-funded and turnaround efforts designed to accelerate student achievement and strengthen school culture. As a Priority School under the Colorado Department of Education’s School Performance Framework (SPF), these campuses operate under heightened accountability standards. The Project Manager plays a critical role in advancing academic achievement, student growth, and postsecondary readiness, while supporting schools in progressing toward the Colorado Performance level. Responsibilities include leading development of the Community School strategy; managing the EASI Accountability Pathways grant; coordinating School of Innovation plans and academic pathways; serving as liaison to community partners, including health and social service providers; and acting as the Colorado Department of Education point of contact for required accountability actions. The position ensures compliance with grant requirements, oversees project work plans and fiscal management, supports data-driven instruction and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), and strengthens partnerships with families and community stakeholders. The ideal candidate is a results-driven leader who thrives in high-accountability environments, builds strong relationships, and is deeply committed to ensuring all students achieve at high levels.

Requirements

Knowledge of: School improvement and turnaround strategies, particularly in Priority Schools and high-accountability contexts.
Colorado Department of Education (CDE) accountability systems, including the School Performance Framework (SPF), and related compliance requirements.
Community School models, integrated student support frameworks, and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS).
Project management techniques, work plan development, milestone tracking, and risk management.
Federal, state, and district grant procedures, fiscal management practices, and compliance regulations.
Basic financial concepts and budget oversight in public school settings.
Data-driven decision-making practices, instructional improvement, and professional development planning.
Community partnership development, volunteer engagement, and cross-sector collaboration practices.
Skills in: Driving for Results – proven ability to achieve outstanding results through focused, task-oriented actions.
Influencing for Results – motivating others, building consensus, and leveraging distributed leadership to achieve goals.
Problem-Solving – strategic analysis of data to inform decisions, develop clear action plans, and ensure alignment with school learning goals.
Confidence to Lead – maintaining visibility, focus, commitment, and self-assurance in high-accountability environments.
Project management and organizational skills to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
Budget monitoring, fiscal tracking, and maintaining audit-ready documentation.
Building and sustaining relationships with school leaders, staff, families, community partners, and external agencies.
Effective written and verbal communication; ability to deliver engaging presentations to diverse audiences.
Team leadership and facilitation, including motivating project teams to work efficiently and collaboratively.
Problem resolution and escalation, ensuring timely and effective responses to project or operational challenges.
Technology proficiency, including data systems, project management tools, and standard office applications.
Student-centered mindset with a consistent belief that all students can achieve at high levels when provided excellent instruction and supports.
Ability to: Lead and influence diverse stakeholders in high-accountability and urban school environments.
Align multiple initiatives under a cohesive school improvement strategy.
Interpret and apply grant requirements, district policies, and state regulations accurately.
Prioritize tasks, manage competing demands, and meet strict deadlines with attention to detail.
Collaborate effectively with educators, families, community partners, and government agencies.
Communicate complex information clearly to varied audiences.
Remain resilient, visible, and focused despite professional challenges.
Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
Bachelor’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Public Administration, or a related field
Valid Colorado Principal/Administrator License
Minimum of three (3) years of successful teaching experience.
At least 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in project management, school improvement, or educational administration, preferably in high-accountability or turnaround school settings.
Demonstrated experience in school improvement, data analysis, instructional coaching, and implementation of Colorado Academic Standards, UIP process, and MTSS framework.
Experience working in turnaround or Priority Improvement schools.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Educational Leadership or a related field
Training in restorative practices and trauma-informed school approaches
Experience leading Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and professional development initiatives
Bilingual proficiency (English/Spanish or other district-identified languages)

Responsibilities

Partners with school principals to provide vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the successful implementation of school improvement, turnaround, and Community School initiatives within Priority Schools.
Develops, coordinates, and implements comprehensive project work plans outlining goals, activities, timelines, benchmarks, and measurable outcomes; monitors progress and revises plans as needed to ensure successful execution.
Leads development, integration, and alignment of the Community School strategy, School of Innovation plans, academic pathways, and EASI Accountability Pathways grant initiatives.
Serves as the primary liaison and point of contact for the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) regarding accountability requirements, including required “On the Clock” actions.
Manages day-to-day operational aspects of assigned initiatives, ensuring alignment with school improvement goals, district priorities, and state and federal regulations.
Oversees grant implementation, including budget monitoring, allowable expenditures, purchasing processes, fiscal reporting, documentation, and compliance with grant and district requirements.
Ensures all project documentation, reports, and records are complete, current, audit-ready, and securely maintained.
Coordinates and maintains strong relationships with district departments, community organizations, business partners, health and social service providers, and other stakeholders to support student success.
Establishes and sustains community partnerships, including development of marketing strategies, volunteer engagement, in-kind donations, financial support, and community events to expand resources for students and families.
Supports targeted student recruitment and outreach efforts aligned to specialized programs or academic pathways.
Collaborates with external evaluators to support project evaluation efforts, data collection, and continuous improvement processes.
Uses data to inform strategic decisions and ensure strong alignment between school improvement initiatives, instructional practices, and student outcomes.
Supports the implementation of data-driven instruction, student discipline systems, and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) to strengthen school culture and academic performance.
Assists with planning and coordination of professional development aligned to turnaround priorities and instructional improvement goals.
Prepares and delivers regular progress reports and presentations to principals, district leadership, committees, and other stakeholders; communicates formative and summative outcomes internally and externally.
Identifies resources necessary to accomplish project goals and proactively resolves or escalates implementation barriers in a timely manner.
Performs other related duties as assigned in support of school improvement and accountability objectives.