Innovation and Technical Services Operational Project Manager

Breathe Project; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 80,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

403b retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Breathe Project is seeking an Innovation and Technical Services Operational Project Manager to lead the Technology Services team and translate strategy into scalable, on-time technology delivery for a district.

Responsibilities include planning across the full lifecycle of tech initiatives, managing critical systems, and coordinating cross-department collaboration to maintain resilience and security in support of educational goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Project Management, IT, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience managing IT teams, tech operations and large deployments, preferably in K-12.
• Ability to run Agile stand-ups and map Kanban boards with realistic timelines.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and API discussion skills.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks and data privacy standards (MS-ISAC, E-Rate).
• Proactive, problem-solving mindset aligned with strategy and sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Technology Services team with hiring, evaluation and supervision.
• Manage daily task queue, helpdesk metrics, and deployment schedules.
• Develop detailed project plans across full lifecycle of initiatives.
• Coordinate SIS, financial systems, IAM, and rostering modernization implementations.
• Establish device lifecycle and refresh strategies; ensure systems integrate across departments.
• Identify and mitigate project risks; ensure privacy, cyber and E-Rate compliance.
• Build security guardrails while preserving innovation for educators and staff.

Skills

Agile stand-ups

Kanban

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

API integrations

Cybersecurity awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Project Management/IT or related

Tools

Incident IQ

SIS/Financial systems

Identity & Access Management

Job description

OVERVIEW

The Innovation and Technical Services Operational Project Manager (ITSOPM) will be the technical project manager behind our district's technology operations, turning strategy into well-run, on-time, scalable execution. The ITSOPM will lead the IT Services team and serve as the link between technical engineering and the departments it supports, keeping our operational backbone resilient, automated, and high-performing. Workflows will be read through a systemic lens, treating infrastructure, integrations, and security not as isolated utilities but as one ecosystem that powers our educational mission. Thinking this way, the Manager will grow over time into a natural partner for our innovation work, helping turn new ideas into plans that can actually be executed. If this intersection of technical delivery, people, and possibility excites you, this is your next challenge!

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

IT Team Leadership & Management

• Lead and develop the Technology Services team, including hiring, evaluation, and supervision, and providing clear structure and meaningful professional growth.
• Manage the team's daily task queue, helpdesk metrics, and hardware/software deployment schedules.
• Build cross-training into the team's routines so support stays high-quality and systems stay redundant.
• Oversee and refine the helpdesk (Incident IQ) to ensure timely resolution and consistent communication with staff.

Operational Project Planning & Execution

• Develop and maintain detailed project plans across the full lifecycle of technology and innovation initiatives- defining scope, objectives, timelines, and resource needs.
• Keep documentation transparent and accessible to every stakeholder using modern project management tools.
• Lead the system-level projects, such as the multi-year classroom display modernization and network upgrades.

Systems & Software Stewardship

• Coordinate and project-manage the implementation and modernization of internal systems- including the Student Information System (SIS), financial systems, identity and access management, and automated rostering- keeping vendors, technical staff, and stakeholders aligned to deliver on time.
• Establish and maintain a structured device lifecycle and refresh strategy that replaces fragmented management with one clear approach.
• Partner with departmental Points of Contact (POCs) to coordinate software renewals and keep systems integrated across Finance, Enrollment, and Academics.

Compliance, Security & Risk Mitigation

• Identify and mitigate project risks, resolving technical barriers before they stall progress.
• Ensure all systems and procedures meet data privacy, cybersecurity, and E-Rate compliance requirements.
• Conduct technology workflow assessments across departments to strengthen operational efficiency for non-teaching staff.
• Manage security partnerships that strengthen our posture, including MS-ISAC and the Digital Trust Hub, among others.
• Build internal compliance frameworks that set clear security guardrails while intentionally preserving the flexibility teachers and systems need to innovate.

Educational Background and Work Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Project Management, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent experience, plus a track record managing IT teams, tech operations, and large-scale technology deployments, ideally in a K-12 setting.
• Ability to run an Agile stand-up, map a Kanban board, and build a project timeline that technical teams actually respect.
• Talent for cross-functional collaboration, serving as the bridge between technical teams and district stakeholders. Ability to talk API integrations with a developer and student engagement with a third-grade teacher in the same hour.
• Working knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks and data privacy standards. Names like MS-ISAC, E-Rate, and data privacy compacts read as essential tools to you.
• Skill at facilitating collaborative problem-solving on complex, school-wide challenges.
• A self-starting, proactive nature that spots opportunities and efficiencies aligned with our strategic priorities.
• A commitment to building a sustainable world. You actively build inclusive, resilient IT infrastructure that guarantees every student equitable access to quality education while responsibly managing our impact on the planet and its people.

Compensation & Benefits

• Minimum starting salary of $89,315 with consideration given for years of experience.
• ECS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, generous paid time off, and participation in a generous 403b retirement plan.

Clearances current within one year of hire date will be required and include Arrest & Conviction Disclosure, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151), Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Clearance(Act 34), and FBI Criminal Background Check (Act 114). Commonwealth of PA Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure Release (Act 168) and Mandatory Reporter Training will also be required.

ECS is an equal opportunity employer.