Strategic Initiatives Manager

Great Hearts Academies•Phoenix, AZ

1d•$55,000 - $65,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Strategic Initiatives Manager supports Great Hearts leadership and leads or partners with cross-departmental project teams to advance organizational strategic goals. The role’s immediate priority is coordinating with the federal Charter School Program (CSP) Grant Steering Committee and helping CSP stakeholders meet grant objectives. This includes developing action plans, monitoring deliverables, managing administrative tasks, and supporting communication across regions and departments. The manager oversees assigned projects and programs from start to finish, aiming to deliver on time and within budget while upholding Great Hearts’ values of servant leadership, passionate commitment, and a team mindset. As part of the Strategy team, the manager works closely with the Chief Strategy Officer on organizational strategic planning, performance monitoring, and related initiatives. The role may also research and monitor developments affecting Great Hearts’ operations and expansion, and support special projects aligned with organizational priorities. The position is based at the Great Hearts Phoenix Home Office. It may require local travel to Phoenix-area academies and travel to current or future Great Hearts locations out of state. The role requires a valid Arizona Department of Public Safety IVP fingerprint clearance card, or the ability to obtain one, and successful completion of a criminal history background check. Physical functions include standing, sitting, repetitive hand and body movements, bending, squatting, reaching, and possibly moving or positioning equipment weighing up to approximately 15 pounds. The employee must use a personal phone for business communications.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
At least 2–4 years of experience in project management, policy research, or management consulting in a relevant field.
Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong time-management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated project management skills, including managing scope, timelines, budgets, stakeholder expectations, and project risks through completion.
Self-directed, resourceful, and proactive, able to work independently, make decisions, and follow through with minimal supervision while escalating issues appropriately.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including facilitating productive meetings, coordinating diverse stakeholders, respectfully delegating, building consensus, and maintaining accountability.
Professional maturity, discretion, and sound judgment when handling confidential information and engaging with senior executives, board members, and external partners.
Flexible, adaptable, and intellectually curious, able to learn new subject matter quickly and work amid ambiguity, changing priorities, and organizational growth.
Excellent writing, research, and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to produce executive-quality analyses, briefing papers, presentations, and recommendations.
Ability to analyze strategic, operational, and policy issues; exercise sound judgment; identify risks and opportunities; and support practical, actionable solutions.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting parameters and priorities, with enthusiasm and commitment to excellence.
Must have and use a personal phone for business communications related to job responsibilities.
Must possess or obtain a valid Arizona Department of Public Safety IVP fingerprint clearance card.
Employment is contingent on successfully completing a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of and interest in K-12 education, charter schools, public policy, school choice, and the classical education landscape.
Affinity for the mission of Great Hearts.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and support cross-functional strategic initiatives involving multiple departments, regions, and stakeholders.
Develop project plans, timelines, and accountability measures for strategic initiatives.
Monitor project progress, identify risks and barriers, and work with stakeholders to address issues and keep initiatives on track.
Facilitate project meetings, document decisions, track action items, and ensure deliverables are completed on time.
Prepare project status reports, dashboards, and executive summaries for senior leadership.
Support the development, implementation, and monitoring of organizational strategic plans and priorities.
Research and analyze operationally relevant trends, regulatory, political and policy developments, market conditions, and strategic opportunities.
Analyze organizational data and trends to inform strategic decision-making.
Prepare presentations, reports, briefing materials, and decision memoranda for executive leadership and governing boards.
Support leadership in preparing for policy discussions, stakeholder engagement, and strategic advocacy efforts.
Support the planning and facilitation of executive retreats, strategic planning sessions, and Board workshops.
Draft reports and other materials for the Chief Strategy Officer and Strategy team.
Support special projects assigned by the Chief Strategy Officer in furtherance of organizational priorities.
Schedule and facilitate department and vertical meetings for new school launches.
Collaborate with regional teams on reporting and status updates against CSP-committed milestones.
Track conversations and required actions, keeping stakeholders accountable individually and collectively.
Work with the Grants Coordinator on reporting and compliance with the Department of Education.
Outline and organize charter application processes, dates, and requirements for new academies.
Ensure departments are on track for new school launches in new regions.
Partner with the CSP Steering Committee to streamline grant decision-making processes and procedures.
Troubleshoot issues and monitor risks related to scope, objectives, budget, and timeline.
Regularly review organizational needs and reassess grant commitments and priorities.