Project Manager- Special Initiatives

Matrix Human Services•Detroit, MI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Project Manager – Special Initiatives reports to the Senior Director of the Matrix Center and plans, coordinates, implements, and monitors special projects and organizational initiatives that support Matrix Human Services’ strategic priorities. The role manages projects from concept through completion, including project planning, stakeholder coordination, timeline and deliverable monitoring, risk identification, outcome tracking, and progress reporting. It also provides agency-wide leadership for volunteer engagement and in-kind donations, creating opportunities for individuals and organizations to support Matrix programs and initiatives. The position requires substantial cross-functional collaboration and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously. The Project Manager works with internal departments and external partners, maintains project and contribution records, supports reporting and compliance, and helps improve organizational processes. Work is primarily in a normal office environment, with regular travel between Matrix locations and community sites potentially required. The role may also involve community, volunteer, or organizational activities outside traditional business hours.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience coordinating or managing multiple projects, programs, events, or organizational initiatives.
Ability to develop project plans, set priorities, monitor deadlines, and manage projects through completion.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously.
Ability to work across departments and coordinate people who do not directly report to the position.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills, including ability to identify risks, barriers, and dependencies and develop solutions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including meeting facilitation, presentations, and interpersonal communication.
Ability to prepare professional reports, presentations, project plans, spreadsheets, correspondence, and other business documents.
Experience identifying and maximizing volunteer and in-kind resource opportunities.
Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with corporations, community organizations, educational institutions, donors, volunteers, and other external partners.
Ability to support a positive experience for volunteers, donors, partners, staff, and community stakeholders while meeting organizational needs.
Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
Ability to collect, organize, analyze, and communicate quantitative and qualitative information.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
Ability to learn new technology and organizational systems quickly.
Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Ability to exercise discretion, professionalism, sound judgment, and confidentiality.
Ability to meet deadlines and produce accurate work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Strong relationship-management skills with clients, agency staff, senior leadership, community partners, contractors, donors, volunteers, and Board members.
Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.
Ability to travel between Matrix locations and community sites; travel may occur during inclement weather.
Bachelor’s degree preferred in Business Administration, Public Administration, Project Management, Nonprofit Management, Communications, Social Services, Philanthropy, Organizational Leadership, or a related field. Equivalent combinations of education and professional experience will be evaluated individually.

Nice To Haves

Experience coordinating volunteers, community partnerships, donations, events, or community engagement activities.
Experience with project management, customer relationship management, volunteer management, donor management, or related software.

Responsibilities

Plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate special projects and initiatives assigned by the Senior Director of the Matrix Center.
Develop project plans covering objectives, scope, timelines, milestones, deliverables, responsibilities, resources, and expected outcomes.
Coordinate projects from initiation through completion and monitor schedules, action items, deliverables, budgets, and performance.
Facilitate project meetings, prepare agendas, document decisions, assign action items, and follow up on completion.
Coordinate work across departments and programs, and communicate project expectations, responsibilities, timelines, and changes to stakeholders.
Identify project risks, barriers, dependencies, and resource needs; develop solutions and communicate concerns to leadership.
Collect and analyze project data, evaluate outcomes, and identify opportunities for improvement.
Prepare project status reports, summaries, presentations, dashboards, and other materials for leadership and stakeholders.
Maintain organized records of project activities, decisions, deliverables, expenditures, contracts, outcomes, and other documentation.
Coordinate with consultants, vendors, contractors, community partners, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
Support implementation of systems, processes, programs, events, partnerships, and operational improvements, including associated change-management activities.
Conduct research to support project planning, decision-making, and implementation; coordinate special events and agency-wide initiatives as assigned.
Ensure projects align with Matrix policies, contractual and grant requirements, and organizational priorities.
Develop and implement strategies to recruit a diverse volunteer base and build partnerships with corporations, schools, colleges, faith-based organizations, civic organizations, and community groups.
Work with program leaders to identify volunteer opportunities; promote opportunities and represent Matrix at volunteer fairs, community events, corporate service events, and other engagement activities.
Coordinate individual, group, corporate, community, short-term, long-term, and project-based volunteer activities; support volunteer recognition and retention.
Coordinate volunteer applications, screening, onboarding, orientation, placement, and training; match volunteers to suitable opportunities.
Develop and maintain volunteer position descriptions and expectations, accurate volunteer records, and ongoing communication and support for volunteers.
Coordinate with program staff who supervise volunteers and help ensure volunteers follow organizational policies, confidentiality requirements, safety procedures, screening requirements, and other applicable standards.
Address volunteer concerns and coordinate resolution with appropriate leadership.
Identify and cultivate opportunities for donated goods and professional services; coordinate solicitation, receipt, distribution, documentation, valuation, and acknowledgment of in-kind contributions.
Work with programs to identify priority donation needs and coordinate with Finance, Development, and other departments to document and report contributions appropriately.
Provide timely acknowledgment and a professional experience for donors and community partners, and identify opportunities to develop sustained partnerships.
Build effective relationships across Matrix Human Services and serve as a liaison between the Matrix Center and other departments on assigned initiatives.
Establish measurable objectives and performance indicators when appropriate; track project activities, milestones, participation, outcomes, expenditures, volunteer hours, and in-kind contributions.
Maintain accurate data and supporting documentation for organizational, grant, audit, and compliance purposes; prepare routine and special reports and assist with grant reporting.
Manage assigned project budgets, supplies, purchasing, and expenditures within approved parameters; assist with vendor coordination, quotes, purchasing, and invoices.
Provide leadership with updates on progress, concerns, accomplishments, and upcoming milestones.
Participate in meetings, committees, workgroups, and special assignments; maintain knowledge of organizational programs, priorities, and community resources.
Represent Matrix Human Services professionally, maintain confidentiality, use sound judgment, and perform other duties and projects assigned by the Senior Director.
Use data and continuous quality improvement principles to evaluate effectiveness, identify gaps and barriers, and support organizational learning, accountability, innovation, and improvement.
Follow applicable ethical standards and Matrix policies and procedures; comply with relevant Head Start requirements when assigned to support Head Start or Early Head Start programs.