Des Moines Public Schools is seeking and energetic project leader committed to serving the students and families of our community and reimagining education. The ideal candidate will take the lead in organizing projects and events collaborating with stakeholders and leading the work that supports our Reimagining Education Plan.

TITLE: Lead Project Manager

DEPARTMENT: Office of the Superintendent

REPORTS TO: Associate Superintendent

RECEIVES GUIDANCE FROM: Superintendent

EVALUATES: Project Manager

POSITION INVENTORY:

POSITION TYPE: SPEC

BARGAINING GROUP: NA

FLSA Status:

Full Time

Exempt

260 Day Calendar

8 Hour Day

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Lead Project Manager will lead coordinate and supervise the team responsible for the successful execution of the Reimagining Education Plan (REP) a district-wide strategic initiative aimed at transforming educational delivery optimizing facility use and expanding programmatic opportunities for all students. This role is responsible for driving alignment between strategic objectives and operational execution by overseeing complex cross-functional projects ensuring timely progress against key milestones and fostering stakeholder engagement throughout the implementation cycle. This position demands a high level of independent judgement strategic thinking and leadership. Core responsibilities include project planning resource coordination performance monitoring and continuous improvement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Serve as the project for the full scope of the Reimagining Education Plan ensuring cohesive execution across the three major components: academics operational and community.
2. Lead the team responsible for the development of sustainability plans and transition strategies to ensure long-term success beyond initial implementation.
3. Supervise and lead the team responsible for the overall planning coordination and execution of the Reimagining Education Plan initiatives including programmatic changes facility updates and organizational shifts.
4. Develop and share accountability metrics and monitoring strategy for project outcomes resource allocation and stakeholder satisfaction.
5. Create and organize cross departmental project teams and establish departmental leads ensuring roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and deliverables are achieved on schedule.
6. Serve as a primary point of contact for district leadership school administrators board members and community partners regarding REP implementation progress.
7. Support the project management team in developing and delivering regular updates reports and presentations to internal and external stakeholders ensuring transparency and accountability.
8. Facilitate cross-functional meetings to ensure collaboration and alignment across academic operational and community engagement teams.
9. Lead design and facilitate targeted professional development for district and school leadership teams to build capacity around strategic implementation change management and equity-focused practices.
10. Partner with Human Resources and Academic Services to align leadership training with district priorities and the Reimagining Education Plan (REP) goals.
11. Provide coaching training and support to district and site-based leaders navigating programmatic shifts facility transitions and stakeholder engagement.
12. Serve as a standing member of the District Tactical Cabinet contributing to cross-functional decision-making strategic alignment and real-time problem-solving.
13. Represent REP implementation progress and challenges during cabinet meetings ensuring integration with broader district initiatives and timelines.
14. Collaborate with cabinet members to identify and resolve systemic barriers to successful implementation.
15. Present progress updates and any plan changes on a regular basis to the school board.
16. Monitor the establishment and tracking of key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure implementation progress and impact on student outcomes.
17. Lead the continuous improvement process by analyzing data to identify trends assess effectiveness and recommend adjustments to improve implementation fidelity.
18. Collaborate with Executive and Tactical Cabinet members to support the development and management of the districtwide professional development calendar.

ADDITIONAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (for every DMPS position):

1. Attend work on a prompt and regular
2. Maintain
3. Maintain satisfactory and harmonious working relationships with the public students and other
4. Assist with other duties as may be

HIRING SPECIFICATIONS:

Required Education and Experience:

1. Masters degree in education public administration business or related field or five years of experience in project management educational leadership or strategic planning within a complex organization may be substituted for the educational requirement.

Desired Education and Experience:

1. Doctorate degree in education public administration business or related field.
2. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Skills Knowledge and Abilities:

1. Demonstrated experience managing large-scale cross-functional initiatives with multiple stakeholders.
2. Knowledge of educational systems facility planning and programmatic improvement strategies.
3. Strong analytical organizational and problem-solving skills.
4. Excellent communication and facilitation skills with experience presenting to senior leadership and community groups.
5. Proficiency with project management tools (e.g. MS Project Asana Smartsheet or similar).
6. Strategic Thinking: Ability to connect day-to-day implementation with long-term district goals.
7. Collaboration: Skilled at building relationships and working across diverse teams.
8. Results Orientation: Focused on achieving measurable improvements in student outcomes and organizational effectiveness.
9. Adaptability: Comfortable navigating ambiguity and adjusting to shifting priorities.
10. Equity Focus: Committed to ensuring initiatives advance equitable opportunities for all students and families.

PHYSICAL DEMAND:

FREQUENCY:

Standing

Occasional 1% - 32%

Walking

Occasional 1% - 32%

Sitting

Frequent 33% - 66%

Bending/Stooping

Occasional 1% - 32%

Reaching/Pushing/Pulling

Occasional 1%- 32%

Climbing/Stairs

Occasional 1% - 32%

Driving

Occasional 1% - 32%

Lifting (20 lbs.)

Occasional 1% - 32%

Carrying (10 feet)

Occasional 1% - 32%

Manual Dexterity Tasks

Telephone

Frequent 33% - 66%

Computer

Constant 67%

Other

Never 0%

Working Conditions

Inside

Constant 67%

Outside

Occasional 1% - 32%

Extremes of Temperature/Humidity

Occasional 1% - 32%

All of the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge skills and/or ability to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties responsibilities or requirements. Individuals may be required to perform any other job-related instructions as requested by their supervisor subject to reasonable accommodation.

Required Experience:

IC