Special Projects Manager

Educational Data Systems, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Educational Data Systems, Inc. (EDSI) in Michigan seeks a Special Projects Manager to provide strategic leadership for workforce development programs across Southeast Michigan, including HSYP in Macomb County and coordination at the Wayne AJC.

You will supervise staff, manage budgets, ensure contract deliverables, engage funders, and support recruitment and onboarding, with travel to Wayne, Macomb, and St. Clair counties as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Strong leadership skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of workforce development systems, WIOA-funded programs, education initiatives, or community-based programming preferred
• 2+ years of leadership experience
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
• Valid driver’s license required

Responsibilities

• Lead the Macomb County High School Young Professionals (HSYP) team and oversee the planning, implementation, and performance of HSYP programming
• Assist Program Managers and staff with planning and implementing special programming and events, including Career Acceleration Programs (CAPs)
• Support implementation of strategic initiatives
• Maintain a positive partnership with funders by attending meetings, engaging in proactive communication, discussing best practices, presenting program innovations and responding timely to requests for data, feedback, documentation, etc.
• Assist in the development of RFP responses and new business opportunities
• Address customer escalations and operational concerns
• Monitor program expenditures and budget performance, providing recommendations to leadership and ensuring fiscal compliance
• Ensure assigned programs meet contractual deliverables and performance expectations
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities

Skills

Strong leadership

Excellent communication

Team collaboration

Budget oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

Salary: $69,000/year Our efforts in Michigan have been consistently recognized! Recent Awards: Michigan Top Workplaces - 2015-2025 Crain's Detroit Business Private 200 - 2025 (and Crain's Cool Places to Work!) Best & Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation - 2012-2025 (and Metro Detroit!)

Do you have a passion for making a difference in someone’s life? Are you looking for an opportunity to use your skills, experience and empathetic nature to work for a progressive, forward-thinking and family-owned company where creativity is encouraged? Are you goal driven? Then this position is for you! We are seeking a dynamic and team-oriented individual to join our spirited team.

Scope of Position

The Special Projects Manager provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for special initiatives and workforce development programs across Southeast Michigan. This role ensures contract compliance, program performance, facility coordination, partner engagement, and continuous improvement while maintaining strong relationships with funders, community partners, and internal teams.

Essential Functions

Program and Strategic Leadership

• Lead the Macomb County High School Young Professionals (HSYP) team and oversee the planning, implementation, and performance of HSYP programming
• Assist Program Managers and staff with planning and implementing special programming and events, including Career Acceleration Programs (CAPs)
• Support implementation of strategic initiatives
• Maintain a positive partnership with funders by attending meetings, engaging in proactive communication, discussing best practices, presenting program innovations and responding timely to requests for data, feedback, documentation, etc.
• Assist in the development of RFP responses and new business opportunities.
• Address customer escalations and operational concerns
• Monitor program expenditures and budget performance, providing recommendations to leadership and ensuring fiscal compliance
• Ensure assigned programs meet contractual deliverables and performance expectations
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities

AJC Operations

• Oversight of EDSI’s programs at the Wayne American Job Center (AJC)
• Report maintenance issues to the facilities manager and provide follow-up as needed
• Facilitate quarterly partner meetings of all service providers and partners housed in the AJC, ensure AJC partners can schedule use of common spaces and share any key building information with AJC partners
• Oversee emergency readiness efforts including the site emergency plan and coordination of fire drills/safety inspections, emergency alert system tests and on-site records
• Report AJC infrastructure expenses and partner space utilization to funder for Infrastructure Funding Agreements (IFAs)
• Point-of-contact with and responsible for re-procurement of janitorial and security services
• Communicate with funder to activate/deactivate alarm codes and keys and distribute to AJC staff

Staff Leadership

• Directly supervise designated staff through performance management, coaching, professional development, and accountability practices
• Establish individual and team performance goals aligned with program objectives
• Address human resource and staff concerns
• Support recruitment, interviewing, and onboarding activities

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Strong leadership skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of workforce development systems, WIOA-funded programs, education initiatives, or community-based programming preferred
• 2+ years of leadership experience
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
• Primary work location will be in Wayne; must have ability to travel to EDSI’s other work locations in Wayne, Macomb and St. Clair counties as needed
• Valid driver’s license required

Bring your expertise to EDSI and live our values every day: Show Up, Smile and Support! EDSI is a progressive, forward-thinking, family-owned company that is Certified Evergreen. EDSI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Our Mission Statement

We must strive to create enthusiasm in our clients, see through their eyes, understand their needs and deliver more than they expect.

Why We Do What We Do At EDSI

• We believe we can help our customers overcome their most challenging obstacles
• We believe in seeing through other people's eyes
• We believe that we can make a difference in people's lives
• We believe in meeting people where they are today and helping them to realize a better tomorrow
• We believe in living our professional lives in service to others

EDS I (Educational Data Systems, Inc.) is a national workforce development, training solutions and consulting company with a passion for helping great companies and communities train and retain great people. EDSI works with regions, employers and jobseekers to overcome their most challenging obstacles. Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, the company employs more than 800 people across the country. EDSI is a National Best and Brightest® Companies To Work For award winner. For over 45 years, EDSI has worked with workforce development agencies, regional partners and employers to assess and understand workforce development needs and deliver solutions to build better workforces. The company operates more than 120 contracts providing successful business services and jobseeker placement and retention services across the country. EDSI also provides world class training and consulting solutions to a variety of corporations, public entities and governmental agencies. Our history of success stems directly from our commitment to providing our clients with the absolute highest level of service through our diverse and talented team.