Project Manager

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionProject Manager
Department: SSPI Research and Evaluation
Reporting to: VP of Research and Evaluation
Schedule: Full-time year-round
Location: Remote
Travel required: Approximately 15 days per year

Summary
SSP International, Inc. (SSPI) is a non-profit organization that is synonymous with excellence in science education. At SSPI, we are guided by a mission to offer students transformational opportunities to learn, do, and belong in science. Since 1959, SSPI’s flagship program, the Summer Science Program, has offered immersive summer research experiences that ignite curiosity and inspire a lifelong passion for discovery. Our vision is to inspire and inform humanity through science, fostering a world where discovery and innovation drive progress. To achieve our mission and vision, SSPI is focused on embracing collaboration, building a lifelong community, and cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment. SSPI places a strong emphasis on belonging and connection among participants, alumni, staff, and stakeholders, wherein individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered. With a legacy spanning more than six decades, and a global network of over 3,700 alumni, we continue to pave the way for the next of leaders. More information on our mission, vision, values, and programs can be found at www.ssp.org.

With the recent receipt of a transformational estate gift by an early alum, SSPI has completed a new strategic plan and now has the financial resources to broaden our impact in STEM education. The 10-year vision of our plan is to reach 10,000 students each year in a variety of STEM programs, with at least 50% coming from historically underserved communities, with challenging, engaging, and transformative science experiences.

Under the direction of the VP of Research and Evaluation, the Project Manager will be responsible for planning and executing projects. Current projects pertain to developing, evaluating and implementing new and existing STEM education programs. Working with the VP of Research and Evaluation, research partners, and funders as appropriate, the Project Manager will work across both the Research & Evaluation team and the New Program Development team, managing project lifecycles from design through implementation and evaluation (i.e., randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs) that meet project and funding requirements. The position is essential to aligning SSPIs Strategic Framework with actionable initiatives to address the evolving needs of students, educators, and their communities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in project management and quantitative education program evaluation. This candidate would be both active participant in the organization’s new program development and program evaluation projects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Project Management

• Under the supervision of the VP of Research and Evaluation, works across both the Research & Evaluation team and the New Program Development team, manages project lifecycles from design through implementation and evaluation, ensures seamless coordination between research efforts, program development, and field implementation while supporting organizational priorities in STEM education.
• Provides administrative support and manages comprehensive, high-quality STEM educational program evaluations (i.e., randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs, mixed-methods studies) that align with SSPI’s mission and strategic goals and meet the needs of diverse audiences, including K-12 students, educators, and community members.
• Leads project planning, scheduling, workplans, monitors progress, aligns deliverables, outcomes and facilitates communication across multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinates across Research and Evaluation and New Program Development teams to ensure projects are evidence-based, impactful, and scalable.
• Collaborates with educators, researchers, and industry experts to implement program evaluations that are scientifically rigorous (randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs and mixed-methods studies).
• Partners with the Research & Evaluation team to integrate data collection and analysis into program design and implementation.
• Collaborates with the New Program Development team to design and launch innovative STEM education programs for teachers and students, support pilot testing of new initiatives, including logistics, participant communication, and feedback collection, ensure new programs are aligned with evidence-based education, teacher professional learning, and student learning.
• Works collaboratively with others providing research operations support, creates detailed project management plans, informs project teams and stakeholders about project progress, issue and challenges. 
• Manages ongoing and new research projects, manages large complex databases, establishes codebooks and maintains data sharing agreements.
• Develops and manages project budgets, and resource allocation, ensuring financial sustainability and resource allocation for maximum impact.
• Works collaboratively with others, monitors program effectiveness, using data and feedback to refine and enhance future offerings.
• Coordinates program teams of internal and external stakeholders guiding and maintaining program alignment with SSPI’s strategic goals.
• Work closely with the VP of Research and Evaluation, program operations and marketing teams to ensure successful program outreach.
• Under supervision of the VP of Research and Evaluation, prepares and presents reports, presentations, and communications for management, staff, advisory board, funders and other key stakeholders.
• Develops, updates, and monitors institutional review board (IRB) documents.
• Monitors evaluation activities, ensuring fidelity to research protocols and timely reporting of findings.
• Provide administrative support to the SSPI Research and Evaluation department, including but not limited to, facilitating cross-team meetings, ensuring effective communication and knowledge sharing, serving as point of contact for invoice processing, scheduling meetings, preparing meeting agendas and minutes.
• Serve as department point of contact for other SSPI departments.
• Manage/use department email.
• Other duties as assigned.

Collaboration and Partnership Building

• Cultivates and maintains relationships with schools, school districts, research institutions, and other educational or scientific organizations to foster collaboration and maximize program reach.
• Together with the VP of Research and Evaluation, identifies funding opportunities, writes or edits grant proposals, and cultivates relationships with funders to secure financial support or other resources for program development and sustainability.
• Under supervision of the VP of Research and Evaluation, identify and pursue partnership opportunities that can contribute to enhancing program offerings and reach.

Outreach and Advocacy

• Together with the VP of Research and Evaluation and External Affairs team, assist in developing marketing and communication strategies to promote new programs and evaluations to target audiences and stakeholders.
• Represents the organization in conferences, workshops, media opportunities, and community events as a thought leader in science education.
• Advocates for policies and evidence-based programs that improve achievement and learning for all students.

Team Collaboration

• Collaborates with a team of educators, researchers, consultants.
• Fosters a culture of challenge, collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement within the SSPI.

Education/Experience

• Advanced Degree in Education, Statistics, Psychology or related field .
• 5-7 years of experience in project management with a focus in education.
• 5-7 years of experience in quantitative program evaluation with a focus on randomized controlled trials and/or quasi-experimental designs in education.
• Strong background in building partnerships and engaging with community stakeholders.

Skills and Abilities

• Expert working knowledge of project management software (ASANA, Monday).
• Ability to think strategically, develop a quantitative evaluation plan for randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental design studies and translate it into actionable plans.
• Knowledge of statistical software programs (SPSS, Excel).
• Expertise in quantitative evaluation and research design and methodology
• Strong statistical analysis.
• Ability to manage, merge and construct databases.
• Knowledge of and ability to conduct data cleaning, data analysis, and graph construction.
• High familiarity with K-12 education policies and conditions.
• Exceptional communication, attend to detail, organizational, and management skills.
• Strong quantitative analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize and interpret findings.
• Ability to collaborate with staff, faculty, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to identify the efficacy and feasibility of new initiatives.
• Ability to create detailed project plans, including timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
• Proficiency in communicating project plans to diverse audiences.
• Ability to align program evaluation with the organization's strategic goals and mission.
• Ability to develop and facilitate presentations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Skill in coordinating and leading program/project teams.
• Skill in identifying potential risks and developing mitigation strategies.
• Skill in planning, developing, and implementing data management policies, processes, and procedures.
• Ability to monitor budget expenditures and project resources.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.

Working Conditions
The working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Constantly operates a computer.
• The ability to observe details at a close range and the ability to adjust focus.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Travel to twice yearly in-person staff meetings plus occasional travel to SSPI partner sites.

Clearance Requirements

• Authorization to work in the United States
• Background clearance

Don’t meet every single requirement? SSPI values a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with all the qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other opportunities.

 

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