Project Manager, Office of Equity

Chicago Public Schools; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 76,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

Chicago Public Schools seeks a Project Manager for the Office of Equity to operationalize the CPS Equity Framework and enhance outcomes for Black students. This role involves managing project cycles, facilitating cross-office collaboration, and ensuring effective implementation of initiatives, requiring strong project management and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years managing projects with internal/external stakeholders.
• Experience working for a school district or education-related agency preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop project timelines for the CPS Black Student Success Plan.
• Facilitate decision-making processes for strategic initiatives to support Black students.
• Produce updates and data reports on project status.

Skills

Communication

Project Management

Team Collaboration

Data Analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Job description

CPS Careers | Search | Apply | Get Hired

Posting Date

Primary Location

Primary Location

: Central-42 W Madison St (Chief Equity Office)

CPS Non-Union Job Grade : S08

Estimated Annual Salary Range

Estimated Annual Salary Range

: 76,000.00 - 100,500.00

Position Type : Non-Union Position

Overtime Status

Overtime Status

: Exempt

Final salary offers are dependent upon candidate qualifications.

JOB DESCRIPTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing nearly 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Office of Equity's mission is to develop, support, implement, and report on district efforts to eliminate the opportunity gaps in education quality, policies, and support for students and adults. The Office of Equity is a cabinet-level office established in 2018. The CPS Office of Equity works hand-in-hand with district offices to ensure each undertaking is pursued with equity as a goal. To drive progress on equity, the Office of Equity oversees the continually evolving CPS Equity Framework, a source of guidance tools, evidence-based ideas, and resources for CPS staff, partners, and community members addressing complex equity issues.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Black Student Success (Office of Equity), the Project Manager is responsible for operationalizing the CPS Equity Framework by leading all aspects of the project cycle for the creation, implementation, and reporting of the CPS Black Student Success Plan. This role will manage the coordination of internal and external strategies, initiatives, and districtwide implementation plans to enhance the experiences and outcomes for Black students across CPS. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Project Manager will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Develop project timelines, including defining scope, milestones, and deliverables for the creation and monitoring of Chicago Public Schools’ Black Student Success Plan
• Lead regular cross-office project meetings to ensure milestones are successfully met through the planning, implementation, and reporting cycles
• Facilitate decision-making process for selecting, optimizing, and supporting the execution of strategic initiatives that produce benefits based on the Chicago Public Schools vision and mission.
• Assist with planning, communication, and support designed to support all aspects of Chicago Public School’s Black Student Success Plan
• Create and execute project work plans and revise them as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements.
• Cultivate relationships and coordinate planning with internal departments, including offices under the Chief Education Office, Chief Operations Officer, and Executive Leadership Team.
• Produce regular updates, including data reports, memos, and presentations to communicate plan status to leadership.
• Create dashboards to efficiently and clearly report potential risks, plan status, and roadblocks.
• Use of influence to eliminate bottlenecks and potential resource alignment issues.
• Work closely with professional learning specialists and engagement specialists to ensure the centering of CPS’ Equity Framework, Spectrum of Inclusive Partnerships, and principles of Targeted Universalism.
• Support other Office of Equity projects as assigned.

To be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Project Manager must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Experience Required:

• Minimum of five (5) years of managing projects involving internal and external stakeholders
• Successful experience in planning and implementation of projects that engage parents, community members, students, and other external stakeholders preferred
• Experience working for a school district or education-related agency preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong communication skills (verbal, written, and presentation skills)
• Possess an unyielding commitment to equity and an unwavering belief that all students can achieve at high levels
• Familiarity with the Chicago education landscape and the communities CPS serves
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners, to ensure the entire system operates in the most effective manner possible to support schools
• Strong planning, organization, and time-management skills
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis, problem-solving, and troubleshooting capabilities
• Ability to receive, internalize, and respond to feedback from department leadership, manager, colleagues, and external partners
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and drive multiple projects concurrently, both independently and as a member of a team
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with school leaders, educators, parents, community organizations, city/state agencies, and other stakeholders to create a unified and collaborative approach to support Black students.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration within the district and externally to address systemic barriers.
• Utilize data-driven insights to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities related to Black student success.
• Implement comprehensive assessment tools to measure initiatives' effectiveness and recommend evidence-based adjustments.
• Stay abreast of educational policies and current equity trends and represent Black students' interests in policy discussions.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions; however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.

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