Strategic Initiatives Manager

Great Hearts America • Phoenix, AZ

4d • 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 immediate priority is coordinating with the federal Charter School Program (CSP) Grant Steering Committee and helping CSP stakeholders meet the objectives in Great Hearts’ grant. The role develops action plans, monitors deliverables, manages administrative tasks, and supports project communications across regions and departments. It manages assigned projects and programs from start to finish, on time and within budget, while upholding the organization’s values of servant leadership, passionate commitment, and teamwork.

As a member of the Strategy team, the manager works closely with the Chief Strategy Officer on strategic planning, performance monitoring, and related initiatives. The role may research developments that affect Great Hearts’ operations and expansion and supports special projects aligned with organizational priorities. CSP-specific work includes coordinating new-school-launch meetings, tracking grant milestones and actions, supporting reporting and compliance, organizing charter application processes, and monitoring launch readiness, grant risks, commitments, and priorities.

The position is based at the Great Hearts Phoenix Home Office in Phoenix, Arizona. It may require local travel to Phoenix-area academies and travel to other current or future Great Hearts locations. Employment is contingent on a criminal history background check and valid Arizona Department of Public Safety IVP fingerprint clearance. The role requires use of a personal phone for business communications and may involve moving or positioning equipment weighing up to approximately 15 pounds.

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.
• Strong project management skills, including management of scope, timelines, budgets, stakeholder expectations, and project risks through completion.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with exceptional time-management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-directed, resourceful, and proactive; able to work independently, make decisions, follow through with minimal supervision, and escalate issues appropriately.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including facilitating productive meetings, coordinating diverse stakeholders, delegating respectfully, 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 and adaptable, intellectually curious, and able to learn new subject matter and work amid ambiguity, changing priorities, and organizational growth.
• Excellent writing, research, and critical-thinking skills, including producing 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 solutions.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting parameters and priorities, with enthusiasm and a commitment to excellence.
• Must have and be able to use a personal phone for business communications.
• Must possess or obtain a valid Arizona Department of Public Safety IVP fingerprint clearance card.
• Must successfully complete a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.
• Ability to travel locally to Phoenix-area academies and potentially out of state to current or future Great Hearts locations.
• Ability to perform standing, sitting, repetitive hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching; may be required to move or position equipment weighing up to approximately 15 pounds.

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 timely completion of deliverables.
• Prepare project status reports, dashboards, and executive summaries for senior leadership.
• Support development, implementation, and monitoring of organizational strategic plans and priorities.
• Research and analyze operational 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 with policy discussions, stakeholder engagement, and strategic advocacy efforts.
• Support planning and facilitation of executive retreats, strategic planning sessions, and Board workshops.
• Draft reports and other materials on behalf of 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 against CSP-committed milestones.
• Track conversations and required actions and maintain stakeholder accountability.
• 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 timelines.
• Regularly review organizational needs and reassess grant commitments and priorities.
• Travel locally to academies and potentially out of state to Great Hearts locations, as needed.
• Use a personal phone for business communications.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with minimal employee contribution.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
• Supportive, mission-driven culture centered on collegiality, collaboration, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level