Launch Specialist

Chs Kids; Hershey (PA); On-site; USD 39,950 - 52,348; Full time

Job summary

The Launch Specialist at Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning will serve as an on-site project and quality manager responsible for communicating, coordinating, and tracking work streams and tasks related to the start-up of new CHS Centers. This role ensures Centers open on schedule and operate to fidelity the CHS Way.

This position requires advanced organizational skills to coordinate efforts across Centers and with Central Office, Center, and Regional leadership, ensuring compliance and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Management, Business Administration, Finance or similar major required.
• 3–5 years of experience in project management or multi-site coordination.
• Prior experience with new site or new business launches is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conducts audits to support pre and post-launch to CHS expectations and tracks remediation efforts.
• Maintains and monitors the project plan using project management software for each Center launch.
• Provides on-site presence pre- and post-launch to support CHS standards and coordinate action items.

Skills

Project management

Multi-site coordination

Data analysis

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Office Suite

Project management software

Job description

The Launch Specialist, reporting to the Launch and Implementation Manager, will serve as an on-site project and quality manager responsible for the communicating, coordinating, and tracking of work streams and tasks related to the start-up of new CHS Centers. This individual will ensure that Centers open on schedule and operate to fidelity the CHS Way. This role will have responsibility for managing timelines and milestones toward Center opening and collaborating with Central Office subject matter experts as well as Center and Regional leadership to ensure key outcomes are delivered within expected deadlines. In support of the Launch and Implementation Manager, this individual will ensure operational readiness through conducting and monitoring required trainings in support of programmatic and operational preparedness. Additionally, this individual is responsible for auditing through the pre- and post- launch timeframe to ensure fidelity of program and to ensure organization, regulatory, and accreditation requirements are met within each function with a goal of verifying that strong systems are in place to meet the requirements in key areas of compliance. In support of the launch timeline, this role will be based at each location during the start-up year. They serve as a primary support to external auditors, relaying and responding to audit results prior to operational go live and supporting audit feedback on annual basis. This role requires advanced organizational skills to ensure coordination efforts are successful across Centers and cross functionally within the organization. Pay for this position is in the range of $29.42 - $38.46 per hour based on expertise.

Responsibilities

• Conducts audits to support pre and post launch to CHS expectations. Prepare feedback and monitor remediation efforts
• Utilizing project management software to maintain, facilitate, and monitor the project plan for each new Center launch
• Serves as an on-site presence in pre- and post-launch state, serving as a champion of the CHS Way, assisting Centers with key action items and ensuring issues are routed timely for resolution
• Follows issues through to resolution. Coordinate key launch activities to ensure successful start-up; i.e. center dry runs, enrollment activities, etc.
• Conducts training to support both Programming and Operational procedures in alignment with the CHS Operations Manual
• Communicates updates to Center, Regional, and Central Office stakeholders on a regular cadence to ensure that organization leadership is informed and aware of the status of the Center's project plan and is alerted to any barriers to meeting goals or deadlines
• Prepares reports for the Director of Standards and Implementation to support data driven decision making and strategic planning. Identifies trends within the data to inform future planning
• Prepares documents/presentations to support Launch and Implementation teams as needed
• Collaborates with Center leadership to ensure systems are functioning properly, and inventory is available to support a successful Center opening
• Supports Center and Programming teams with new initiatives for operating Centers using the same project management focus and outcome driven support
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Management, Business Administration, Finance or similar major required
• Experience in a non-profit or educational organization a plus
• 3-5 years of experience in project management or multi-site coordination
• Prior experience with new site or new business launches is preferred
• Excellent Project Management skills, including time management, organizational skills, ability to multi- task, and prioritize assigned tasks
• Experience with management of multiple complex workflows
• Ability to use data and analytics to inform decision making
• Demonstrates communication skills that bridge organizational levels and diverse teams
• Demonstrated understanding of and ability to effectively work across multiple locations and departments
• Experience with project management software and other technology including MS Office Suite
• Ability to lift ~25 lbs., and be flexible with light physical activity such as opening filing cabinets and bending/standing as necessary
• Ability to travel to multiple locations on regular basis; work at CHS Centers 80% of the time
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities
• Ability to proactively identify problems and implement solutions
• Commitment to the mission and values of CHS and MHS and demonstrated high degree of integrity as all MHS and CHS staff are considered to be role models for children
• U.S. work authorization and successful completion of pre-employment background checks and clearances

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning does not discriminate against applicants or employees, in hiring, promotion or any terms or conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion or religious creed, veteran status, disability or use of a guide or support animal because of the blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, or any other status protected under applicable federal or Pennsylvania law.

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning are subsidiaries of Milton Hershey School and will be staffed and operated independently of the Milton Hershey School core model.

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning will not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion or religious creed, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected under applicable federal or Pennsylvania law (collectively “Protected Characteristics”), against any applicant for admission, enrolled children, or any other individual(s) who participate(s) in the programs, services, and activities at our Centers.