Senior Program Manager

Education is ever-evolving. And so are we.

We seek passionate people from diverse backgrounds who are committed to helping improve the work of schools as a trusted partner in advancing learning. By joining the Cognia team, you will be immersed in a community of energetic and resourceful people dedicated to a common vision to impact and inspire education providers to advance and enable pathways of success for all learners. At Cognia we have developed a holistic approach to education that empowers schools to create real outcomes and optimize learning for students of all backgrounds, servicing more than 36,000 institutions, 5 million teachers, and 25 million students in 85 countries. When you join Cognia, you join a team of experts passionate about our mission and embracing our core values in everything we do.

The Assessment Services Division of Cognia has a clear mission: In partnership with states and districts, we design and build aligned, coherent, and high-quality assessment systems that support a model of continuous improvement and empower stakeholders to use critical academic performance data to improve outcomes for all students.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Reporting to the VP, Program Management in Assessment Services, the Senior Program Manager exercises a comprehensive knowledge of K-12 assessment to manage a client contract, program, or group of related programs, subprograms, and program activities in a coordinated way to ensure we are able to support our state partners in designing and implementing high-quality assessment systems. The Senior Program Manager is the main point of contact for the client and works to cultivate strong relationships to drive successful program outcomes. Communicates the program's overall design and ensures stakeholders are knowledgeable about the scope of the program, specific contractual requirements or needs, and their roles and responsibilities. Leads and coordinates program activities; manages interdependencies among components and determines optimal approach to achieve program goals and benefits. This position has profit and loss, productivity and/or business process improvement accountability impacting gross margin and/or cost of sales of the program.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES:

• Utilize formalized and standardized program management processes, tools, and techniques along with a fluent working knowledge of program scope, deliverables, requirements, and the assessment lifecycle to achieve program goals and strategic benefits.
• Develop program management plan, including component plan documents, in collaboration with program team; ensure program plan alignment with the strategic and business purpose and ensure component project plans align with the program's goals and benefits.
• Negotiate and influence program scope, schedule, and budget; adjust program execution to better meet stakeholder needs and contract requirements.
• Manage the client relationship and expectations, ensure requirements, preferences, and needs are met within the context of the approved work plan and per the program plan. Listen carefully to the client's goals, objectives, and challenges to identify opportunities to offer solutions through expanded program scope or enhanced offerings with additional Cognia expertise, products, or services.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that activities are completed on time, in line with budget, and to Cognia's high standard of quality that fulfills requirements, meets or exceeds the client's expectations, and achieves and sustains benefit.
• Monitor program metrics and analyze variances and trends in costs, schedule, quality, and risks and identify corrective actions or opportunities for improvement.
• Lead and facilitate program planning and high-level requirements gathering with internal stakeholders and clients; monitor and control execution of program work against requirements.
• Facilitate team in development of a risk management plan and identify, track, manage, and mitigate risk throughout the program life cycle; escalate issues when necessary to ensure minimal impact to quality, budget, timeline, and business objectives.
• Conduct effective workshops and training sessions with clients, staff, committees, and internal/external stakeholders.
• Duties and responsibilities may from time to time include related or unrelated tasks that require the same or similar skills and experience.

Management Responsibilities:

• Manage client relationships and expectations, ensure requirements, preferences, and needs are met within the context of the approved work plan and per the program plan.
• Manage day-to-day stakeholder interaction and communicate effectively to achieve immediate and long-range goals.
• Collaborate with department leadership to propose departmental and individual goals, and to actively support and engage in activities related to achieving stated goals.
• Assist, mentor, and coach project team members; identify opportunities for development of competencies in project/program management in department staff at all levels.
• Demonstrate open and effective communication within the department, with other entities within the organization, and with external stakeholders.
• Perform duties and fulfill responsibilities that may, from time to time, include related or unrelated tasks.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree is preferred
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible project and/or program management experience to include three (3) years of relevant education industry experience required
• Two (2) years of demonstrated team leadership experience required
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) practices required
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification required and must be current, or obtained within two (2) years following date of hire in position

Competencies:

• Client/stakeholder management skills; ability to define appropriate expectations and execute client communications in collaboration with project sponsors and leadership
• Effective decision-making skills (exercise independent judgment to make decisions about program execution and team leadership)
• Strong communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills

Anticipated Travel (may include local, national, and/or international travel):

• Significant travel (20-40%)

At Cognia, we recognize the critical role played by our teams in carrying out the organization's important educational mission. As a reflection of that recognition our exceptional benefits offerings include generous paid time off and holiday breaks, comprehensive insurance plans, and a 12.5% retirement savings contribution which is immediately vested, all effective on your date of hire. This represents a strong commitment by the organization to attract and retain the highest quality workforce - to ensure our continued ability to effectively serve our mission for years to come.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristics protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations. Cognia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.