PROGRAM MANAGER, STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

Denver Public Schools; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 102,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Denver Public Schools is seeking an experienced program and project manager to oversee enterprise-level ERP initiatives (Oracle DPS). You will lead ERP governance, manage a portfolio of district-wide projects, and ensure delivery on time and within budget.

The role requires strong PM skills, budgeting, vendor management, and change management, with a focus on equity and collaboration. The position is based in Colorado and requires full-time in-office work; hybrid options are not available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Program and Project Management.
• Master's Degree in Business, Public Policy, Organizational Psychology preferred.
• 5+ years Organizational planning strategy.
• PMP Certification preferred.
• Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.

Responsibilities

• Lead ERP governance structures and committees and manage ERP projects.
• Oversee a portfolio of district-wide initiatives from ideation to execution with milestones and success measures.
• Maintain governance frameworks for decision rights, regulatory alignment, and accountability across ERP/project lifecycles.
• Lead development of charters, work plans, budgets, and status reports; manage teams and resources.
• Develop holistic technology solutions for complex technical efforts with vendor management and SDLC alignment.
• Provide regular updates to leadership and stakeholders with clear communication.
• Define outcomes using qualitative and quantitative data; drive post-project reflection and improvements.
• Identify and mitigate risks, issues, and dependencies; manage budgets and resources.
• Lead cross-functional continuous improvement to optimize workflows and eliminate bottlenecks.
• Foster inclusive, high-integrity leadership and collaborative environments.

Skills

Project management

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Change management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Program and Project Management

Master's Degree in Business, Public Policy, Organizational Psychology preferred

5+ years Organizational planning strategy

Project Management Professional - PMP Certification preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Excel

Word

Outlook

PowerPoint

Job description

Applications will be received until August 27th, 2026. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline.

About This Job

Responsible for overall establishment, coordination, status reporting, and stability of enterprise-level work efforts, including the district's Enterprise Resource Planning (DPS system is Oracle). Establishes and implements programmatic and project management processes, adhering to the methodology for the district to ensure projects are delivered in alignment with the districts Strategic Roadmap, are completed on time, within budget, meet high-quality standards, and meet customer expectations.

What DPS Offers You

• A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
• $101,781 - $124,662. Click here for more information on compensation for these roles. In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA Retirement. For more information visit our New Employee Resources .

What You’ll Do

• This role will have at least 50% of their time dedicated to the district Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP; DPS utilizesOracle). This includes managing the ERP Governance Structure and Governance Committees and leading ERP specific projects. This role has the potential to support the ERP at more than 50%.
• Lead a Portfolio of high-impact, district wide initiatives from ideation through execution. Translate broad concepts into structured plans with clear milestones, outcomes, and measures of success. Must possess extensive knowledge and expertise in the use of project management methodologies and tools, resource management practices and change management techniques.
• Maintain and enforce governance frameworks to ensure decision-making rights, regulatory alignment, and accountability across the ERP and/or project lifecycle.
• Assume primary responsibility for project leadership and communication on projects deliverables. This would include development and monitoring of project charters, work plans, work breakdown schedules, project milestone and status reports, managing project teams, resource plans, budgets, etc.
• For Complex Technical efforts, would be responsible for the development and implementation of a holistic technology solution, including requirements gathering, process re-engineering and design, system vendor selection and on-going vendor management, system design, testing, deployment. Utilize Software Development Life Cycle methodologies to ensure on time, on budget implementation of technology solutions.
• Provide regular feedback and exchange of information with other project leader(s), department heads, management members, and senior leadership.
• Define and track outcomes using qualitative and quantitative data. Lead post-project reflection and improvement processes to build institutional knowledge and inform future efforts.
• Proactively identify, track and resolve issues, risks and dependencies associated with projects managed, and communicate risks and issues to project team and senior leadership. Identify and implement issue resolutions. Lead risk management identification and mitigation plans.
• Lead cross-functional continuous improvement efforts across the ERP and other projects with the aim of optimizing workflows to eliminate bottlenecks, enhance execution quality, and drive ongoing efficiency.
• Create inclusive environments where diverse voices are valued. Build trust across teams, ask questions to deepen understanding, and model humble leadership.
• Manage multi million dollar technology and/or business and operational budgets, including purchase and implementation costs.
• Other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor\'s Degree in Program and Project Management
• Master\'s Degree in Business, Public Policy, Organizational Psychology preferred
• 5+ years Organizational planning strategy
• Project Management Professional - (PMP) Certification preferred
• Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
• Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
• The ability to work full-time, in the office. Hybrid options not available.
• Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of program management best practices
• Knowledge of product management and best practices
• Knowledge of ERP systems (preferred but not required)
• Work style that yields high results when working independently or as part of a team
• Ability to foster effective relationships with district staff, schools, and external partners
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects
• Ability to develop, plan, and implement short- and long-range goals, establish priorities, and organize resources
• Ability to multi-task without compromising integrity or fidelity
• Experience and proficiency with Microsoft Office products and/or Project Management Software (e.g. Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint)
• Effectively handle multiple demands and competing deadlines
• Inspired, visionary who can foster/generate excitement, buy-in and understanding with colleagues and employees outside of the team
• High degree of integrity in handling confidential information
• Must possess extensive knowledge and expertise in the use of project October 16, 2019 Version: 1 Page 3 of 5 management methodologies and tools, resource management practices and change management techniques.
• Must possess extensive knowledge and expertise in the use of project management methodologies and tools, resource management practices and change management techniques

Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.

Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun

About Us

Denver Public Schools is committed to meeting the educational needs of every student with great schools in every neighborhood. Our goal is to provide every child in Denver with rigorous, enriching educational opportunities from preschool through high school graduation. DPS is comprised of nearly 200 schools including traditional, magnet, charter and alternative pathways schools, with an enrollment of more than 90,000 students.

DPS has become the fastest-growing school district in the country in terms of enrollment and the fastest-growing large school district in the state in terms of student academic growth. Learn more at dpsk12.org.