Senior Project Manager (Information Technology)

The School District of Philadelphia; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The School District of Philadelphia is seeking a Senior Project Manager (Information Technologies) to oversee large-scale Capital Programs projects in IT. The role coordinates with schools, vendors, and central offices to document requirements and manage delivery, budgets, and timelines.

Responsibilities include leading teams, negotiating contracts, and advancing equity initiatives while ensuring compliance and effective communication across departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and six years of professional experience with team leadership or project management.
• Experience in operations, finance, education, or information technology.
• Equivalent combination of training and experience accepted by the Office of Talent.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategies for project scopes and timelines.
• Plan, control, and report on project budgets and status.
• Coordinate with internal customers, schools, vendors, and offices.
• Lead meetings, document business rules, and manage contract aspects.
• Support equity initiatives and manage confidential matters as needed.
• Oversee standard operating procedures and performance management processes.

Skills

Asana

FileMaker Pro Advanced

Excel

Microsoft Project

Vision

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Title: Senior Project Manager (Information Technologies)

Department: Capital Programs

Reports To: Administrative Superior

Job Summary

Administrative and managerial project work, overseeing all components of large‐scale Capital Programs projects and initiatives (Information Technology Specialty). Employees in this class facilitate dialogue between internal customers, technology staff, developers, central office staff, vendors, external agencies, schools and community partners. Work involves meetings with clients to discuss needs, documenting business rules, and implementing professional learning.

Essential Functions

• Develop strategies for appropriate scopes of work.
• Participate or direct contract negotiation and/or preparation.
• Plan and manage timelines, and monitor progress of various projects and work streams; provide progress updates to project leads.
• Work with selected teams on specific aspects of meeting project goals in a timely manner.
• Prepare, manage, audit, and maintain direct responsibility for project budgets.
• Prepare reports related to project status and projections.
• Directly supervise project or department staff as required.
• Develop and build good communications and relationships between the assigned office and central offices and schools.
• Participate in confidential and/or sensitive matters and/or projects at every level of the enterprise.
• Set priorities for the completion of requested services.
• Participate in organizational planning within the assigned office and other departmental offices.
• Assist in various departmental projects when needed.
• Support all administrative and managerial project work related to the development and implementation of the Equity Coalition and Equity Partners Fellowship.

Additional Functions for the Office of Capital Programs

• Lead the writing and editing of the Standards of Operations Policy Manual to enhance efficiency and compliance across the department.
• Assist in the development and implementation of the Performance Management system for Capital Programs to optimize project oversight.
• Design, maintain, and refine spreadsheets that integrate construction, design, contracts, and operations for streamlined tracking and reporting; develop and maintain pivot tables for analytical reporting and decision‑making.
• Provide strategic support for special projects assigned by the Operations Manager, ensuring timely execution and alignment with organizational goals.
• Serve as a key member of the triage unit, troubleshooting and resolving emergency situations impacting Capital Programs.
• Act as a liaison between the Operations Manager and other District offices, facilitating communication and coordination across departments.
• Oversee the revision and execution of all action items, ensuring compliance with corrective measures.
• Facilitate the coordination of professional development and training events.
• Collaborate on the drafting and negotiation of Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Letters of Commitment Agreements (LCAs), and contractual instruments.
• Conduct thorough contract reviews, ensuring legal sufficiency and adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Support the Operations Manager with administrative and managerial project work, including preparing reports and managing correspondence.
• Assist in coordinating and tracking capital improvement projects, maintaining accurate records and documentation.
• Facilitate communication between project managers, contractors, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain office efficiency by handling procurement processes.

Additional Functions for the Facilities and Information Technology Specialties

• Coordinate organized labor and oversee the implementation of trades’ agreements with external unions and labor agencies.
• Work with vendors/internal developers to implement software solutions.
• Evaluate and recommend technology and software solutions that will satisfy the needs of schools and offices.
• Establish short‑ and long‑range goals with respect to hardware, software and development projects.
• Coordinate needs of the unit with other Facilities, Transportation or Information Technology offices in the areas of technology implementation.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Six years of full‑time, paid, professional experience in either operations, finance, education, or information technology which has included serving as a team lead or project manager. OR
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Talent.

Capital Programs Specialty

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, project management, public administration, or a related field.
• Six years of full‑time, paid, professional experience in either administration, operations, finance, education, project management, policy development or capital program administration which has included serving as a team lead or project manager.
• Prior experience in construction, government administration, or school capital programs is a plus. OR
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Talent.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

All Specialties

Demonstrated Knowledge Of:

• The procedures and methods utilized to implement systemic change in a timely, accurate, and effective manner.
• Asana Project Management, FileMaker Pro Advanced, Excel or Microsoft Project, Vision and/or other productivity and scheduling tools.

Demonstrated Ability To:

• Manage large or complex projects and/or budgets.
• Plan, organize, and direct project activities and allocate staff resources to tasks efficiently.
• Analyze and resolve complex problems.
• Represent a superior at meetings and conferences.
• Present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.

Additional Knowledge and Abilities for the Facilities and Information Technology Specialties

Demonstrated Knowledge Of:

• Current technology, testing methodologies, and project life cycle.
• The role of technology and its relation to the enhancement of specific technological outcomes.
• Current trends and practices of information resource technologies and ability to easily adapt to newer and expanding IT fields.
• Internet technologies and development practices.

Demonstrated Ability To:

• Understand and apply basic industry recognized project management principles and processes as defined by PMI, PMP, and ISO 9000 structural certifications.
• Apply best practice standards to a product’s design, test, and production phases.
• Review and comprehend technical documentation.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Nondiscrimination

The School District of Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 348 for further information regarding the District’s commitment to nondiscrimination in employment practices.