Manager, Systems, Innovations & Strategy

Puget Sound Educational Service District; Renton (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

SEBB benefits

Paid leave 24 days

Sick days 12

Holidays 12

Job summary

Puget Sound Educational School District is seeking a Systems, Innovation & Strategy Manager to support the executive director and drive cross-functional development, coordination, and implementation of innovative practices across PreK-Postsecondary service areas in Washington.

You will partner with districts and internal teams to operationalize improvements, track progress on strategic priorities, support grant development, and ensure alignment with equity goals and antiracist leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education or related field
• 3 years of progressively responsible, job-related experience in project coordination, systems improvement, education program support, or related work
• Demonstrated experience supporting strategic initiatives or system-wide innovation efforts
• Experience managing multiple priorities, tracking project timelines, and coordinating cross-functional efforts

Responsibilities

• Compiles data from a variety of sources for the purpose of complying with financial, legal and/or administrative requirements.
• Attends meetings, workshops, and seminars to provide information, record minutes, coordinate materials distribution and support attendees.
• Coordinates a variety of activities (e.g., project planning, developing and implementing systems and processes, event management) to ensure services are delivered efficiently.
• Partners with staff to coordinate resource & budget development and oversight processes including account balance reconciliation.
• Prepares a wide variety of written materials for documenting activities and ensuring clear communications.

Skills

Project coordination

Systems improvement

Education program support

Strategic initiative support

Cross-functional coordination

Racial equity commitment

Education

Bachelor's degree in education or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Workspace

Job description

Puget Sound Educational School District seeks a Systems, Innovation & Strategy Manager to support the executive director and development, coordination, and implementation of innovative practices and strategic initiatives across key PreK-Postsecondary service areas, including Behavioral Health & Prevention Services, Special Services, and Teaching and Learning, etc. This role collaborates with cross-functional teams to operationalize systems' improvement, track progress on strategic priorities, and support opportunities to strengthen regional impact. The Manager supports the grant development process and program staff in aligning new and existing efforts with organizational goals and community needs.

Open until filled; for best consideration, submit a complete application by Tuesday, November 3,2026. In-person Interviews are tentatively scheduled for Monday, November 9,2026. PSESD is one of nine regional educational agencies serving school districts and state approved charter and private schools in Washington. Serving over 39% of Washington's K-12 public school students, our agency provides critical services designed to ensure that our students are ready to enter school, achieve at high levels in the K-12 system, and succeed in postsecondary endeavors. We are committed to becoming an Antiracist Multicultural Organization driven by equity in education. To learn more about PSESD, visit www.psesd.org/about-psesd.

Essential Functions

• Compiles data from a variety of sources for the purpose of complying with financial, legal and/or administrative requirements.
• Conducts and/or attends meetings, workshops, and seminars for the purpose of providing information, recording minutes, coordinating materials distribution and/or supporting the needs of other attendees.
• Coordinates a variety of activities (e.g., project planning, developing and implementing systems and processes, event management and meeting organization, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring availability of facilities, materials, equipment and/or accommodations and ensuring services are delivered in compliance with established guidelines and operation support is productive and efficient.
• Coordinates with PSESD resource development lead on funder relationship building and proposals for the purpose of coherent PSESD funding requests and communication.
• Partners with staff to coordinate resource & budget development and oversight processes including account balance reconciliation for the purpose of maintaining accuracy of expenditures, budget appropriateness of funding requests, forecasts, and transfers that maintain consistency and compliance with agency and federal fiscal controls and policies.
• Embodies the principles and practices that form our culture and commitment to becoming an Antiracist Multicultural Organization for the purpose of meeting the Agency's End: Success for Each Child and Eliminating the Opportunity Gap by Leading with Racial Equity.
• Supports the collaborative development and implementation of a comprehensive PreK-Postsecondary growth and innovation strategy, in partnership with the director team, school districts, and key partners, for the purpose of sustaining and advancing PSESD's impact, reputation, and leadership within the region.
• Maintains a variety of manual and electronic documents, files, databases, archives, and records for the purpose of providing up-to-date reference and audit trail for compliance with district, local, state, and federal regulations.
• In partnership with the agency's Resource Development Office shepherds the alignment of grant, fee for service, and contracts and maintains a resource calendar to ensure that successful proposals are developed and submitted for the purpose of supporting the needs of PreK-Postsecondary program needs.
• Monitors assigned activities and/or program components for the purpose of coordinating activities and ensuring compliance with established financial, legal and/or administrative requirements.
• Prepares a wide variety of written materials (e.g., meeting agendas, packets, and minutes; project tracking and monitoring timelines and reports; letters and reports, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities and projects, providing written reference and/or conveying information, and for ensuring clear, accurate, and timely communications.
• Processes a variety of fiscal information for the purpose of updating information and/or authorizing final action in compliance with accounting requirements.
• Provides administrative support to the PreK-Postsecondary executive office as needed for the purpose of maintaining continuity of service, and ensuring agency-wide objectives are achieved in the most efficient and timely manner.
• Provides guidance in developing improved internal agency processes and systems for the purpose of enhancing efficiency and increasing innovation in cross departmental collaborative projects and programs.
• Research and analyzes a wide variety of topics for the purpose of providing information and/or recommending action.
• Serves as a liaison to committees and/or organizations for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required for ESD operations.

Other Functions

• Assist other personnel as may be required for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment.

Job-Specific Competencies

Accuracy and Attention to detail: Ensures work is thoughtfully completed, accurate, and error free to the highest degree possible.

Innovation and creativity: Generates unique methods, ideas, insights, and connections that challenge the status quo to expand possibilities.

Planning, Organization, and Prioritization: Assesses the work to be performed, and considers how it should be organized and accomplished, with appropriate priorities and realistic time parameters.

Recordkeeping and Documentation: Gathers, organizes, and maintains records, following confidential information and security protocols as needed. Accurately documents relevant/essential actions, processes, and practices.

Data Gathering, Analysis and Sharing: Collects, examines and synthesizes information from a variety of stakeholders and sources in a transparent manner that reflects best practices. Shares data in a thoughtful and responsible way in an effort to inform, understand issues, or enable decision making.

ANTIRACIST LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

Cultural Proficiency: Articulates and applies historical context of racism and understands the current reality of students and communities of color in order to support racial equity. Actively demonstrates a commitment to supporting equity and inclusion, and serves as an advocate with colleagues, partners, and communities to meet the Agency's End and goal of becoming an Antiracist Multicultural Organization in support of eliminating the opportunity gap.

Racial Equity Advocate: Recognizes, supports, and engages in dismantling institutional racism. Partners with and is accountable to those with whom we are in a transformational relationship, including children, families, and communities of color.

Racial Equity Mindset: Demonstrates awareness of biases, internalized racial superiority and oppression. Leads with a racial equity lens and actively uses the racial equity tool in meaningful ways.

Transformational Values: Contributes to valuable and positive, antiracist transformation in individuals, organizations, and social systems in an effort to actively progress across the antiracist multicultural institution continuum. Is able to foster a sense of community and shared purpose via collaboration and cooperation with others inside and outside PSESD. Embodies the principles and practices that form the Agency's culture. Operates from an abundance mentality that recognizes opportunities, and is optimistic and realistic about the future.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, educational leadership, public administration, social sciences, business administration, or a related field.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible, job-related experience in project coordination, systems improvement, education program support, or related work.
• Demonstrated experience supporting strategic initiatives or system-wide innovation efforts.
• Experience managing multiple priorities, tracking project timelines, and coordinating cross-functional efforts.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and inclusion, and experience working with diverse communities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and related digital tools for communication, scheduling, and data management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in PreK-Postsecondary education systems, public agencies, or non-profit organizations.
• Experience with grants, budget tracking, and alignment of funding with strategic goals.
• Experience leading or facilitating cross-departmental projects or partnerships.

We Offer Comprehensive Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision through the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program
• 24 annual leave days per year
• 12 sick days
• 12 paid holidays
• Participation in Washington State Department of Retirement System
• Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan
• Subsidized ORCA card, free parking, and access to EV car charging stations (Renton office)