Project Manager

The IRIS Center is a federally funded project located within the Department of Special Education at Vanderbilt University. Thecenter is an international leader in the development of free open-access resources used for training and ongoing professional development of current and future teachers and other education professionals.

Position Summary

The Senior Project Manager has responsibilities across two projects: 1) IRIS Center a federally funded technical assistance center and 2) IRIS an online platform that generates center revenue via annual subscriptions for K-12 schools and districts. Both the IRIS Center and IRIS are located within the Department of Special Education at Vanderbilt University.

Responsibilities for the IRIS Center include: Resource development (e.g. writing reviewing and providing feedback on IRIS materials); coordinating related events (e.g. classroom video shoots; expert interviews).

Responsibilities for IRIS include: Overseeing the conversion of IRIS Center content to the IRIS platform; recruiting and initiating new school and district accounts; client management training and technical assistance; and account management.

This position can be performed via an alternative work arrangement (i.e. remote work). The position reports directly to the administrative manager.

Please Note: Applicants will be asked to complete writing and presentation assignments as part of the application and selection process.

Required Equipment and Software:N/A

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

IRIS: Recruiting and initiating new school and district accounts;client management training and technical assistance

• Recruit new clients (i.e. schools districts) for annual platform subscriptions

• Meet virtually with potential clients to demonstrate the platform discuss their needs identify potential resource content to meet those needs

• Oversee client contracts payments account setup and activation

• Build and maintain client relationships

• Monitor and track subscription expiration dates and actively offer and seek expansions and renewals

• Keep abreast of similar industry offerings and standards

• Contribute to the successful delivery of marketing programs and operational initiatives.

• Research recommend and integrate new project management tools and technologies to improve team workflows and enhance productivity.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for IRIS ensuring a professional relationship that reflects positively on Vanderbilt Peabody College and IRIS.

• Provide training on the platform to school and district administrators

• Based on client needs develop and train on personalized learning pathways for schools and districts

IRIS: Direction and Project Management

• Develop implement and track detailed project plans monitor progress against project milestones identify issues to be addressed and take corrective actions to ensure alignment with project goals and deadlines.

• Manage and coordinate teams to keep efforts on track.

• Independently develop and manage complex workflows under supervision of the Director or delegate ensuring effective communication with internal and external stakeholders regarding the status of projects and proposals.

• Create and implement established protocols and procedures for processes related to recruiting and programming to ensure consistency and compliance.

• Develop project plans that identify resource needs and timelines of various projects

• Review and manage change orders

• Ensure that all project tasks are documented accordingly

• Prepare project reports for weekly communication to IRIS leadership as needed

• Host project meetings at least weekly with the IRIS and Finance teams and as needed with the Programming team

• Provide feedback advice and project updates to team members

• As the platform grows oversees the onboarding training and supervision of additional client- and platform-support personnel.

• Continually assess for improvement of activities and processes

IRIS: Content conversion

• Work with resource developers and programmers to convert content to the IRIS platform

• Oversee IRIS reviews of content to ensure it is error-free and meets IRIS standards

IRIS Center: Event Coordination

• Coordinate IRIS events (e.g. classroom video shoots; expert interviews) ensuring alignment with all appropriate Vanderbilt and IRIS policies protocols and documentation (e.g. Protection of Minors Travel)

• Coordinate with consultants actors experts and other contractors (e.g. film crew) prior to and during these events

• Attend in-person/on site events to help with setup oversee key aspects of the event (e.g. scripts props refreshments) and tear down

IRIS Center: Resource Development and Dissemination

• Participate in the development review and revision process of educational resources

• Develop and/or review related or supplemental materials (e.g. brochures handouts online quiz questions)

• Collaborate on data collection analysis and reporting for evaluation and decision making purposes

• Attend regional and national conferences to make professional presentations and staff exhibit hall booths

General

• Proficient in the use of technology(e.g. Zoho CRM Zoho Billing Basecamp Microsoft Office Suite Zoom Adobe)

• Comply with Vanderbilt and IRIS policies and procedures

• Professional appearance and demeanor

Education and Certifications:

• Successful completion of a masters degree or higher in Special Education or similar field.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Prior experience with training on IRIS resources

• Strong knowledge of evidence-based practices in special education

• Excellent organizational skills while prioritizing and managing multiple projects responsibilities and workflows with strict deadlines in a rapidly changing environment

• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information

• A willingness to learn and productively engage with changing technology and systems

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; ability to adapt communication appropriately for purpose and audience

• Strong problem-solving skills

• Experience in project management

• Expertise in data-based decision making

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail

• Ability to work as part of the team lead when appropriate and accept feedbackin a professional manner

• Effective in organizational change management

• Demonstrated ability to make professional presentations to large groups

Preferred Experience and Skills:

In addition to those listed under Required Experience and Skills preference will be given to candidates who also possess the following:

• Experience as a special education classroom teacher

• Knowledge of the U.S. Dept. of Educations national priorities

• Familiarity with federal and state funding sources for educator professional development

• Understanding of state-level certification and licensure processes and professional development structures

• Experience with teambuilding

• Experience with instructional design and materials development

Supervisory Relationships:

This position will have supervisory responsibilities. The position reports administratively and functionally to the administrative manager.

About the Work Unit

Ranked as the #1 Special Education Program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for well over a decade the Department of Special Education has long been a leader both in research and practice.

Located within the Department of Special Education and supported by the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) the IRIS Center is a small group of incredibly dedicated and talented employees who work closely together to provide resources that are accessed on our barrier-free website over 4 million times per year.

The IRIS Center develops and disseminates free engaging online resources about evidence-based instructional and behavioral practices to support the education of all students particularly struggling learners and those with disabilities. These resources designed to bridge the research-to-practice gap are intended for use in college teacher preparation programs in professional development (PD) activities for practicing professionals and by independent learners. The array of IRIS resources includes modules case studies information briefs course/PD activities a high-leverage practices alignment tool and an online glossary of disability-related terms as well as supporting products to enhance their use in coursework and PD activities. All these resources are hosted for free on the centers barrier-free website.

The IRIS platform offers annual subscriptions to schools and districts that include enhanced IRIS Modules for educators complete with a certificate of completion. The administrator dashboard allows school and district leaders to implement a structured professional development plan across the school year by assigning modules tracking completion rates and accessing a host of individual and group analytics (e.g. posttest scores completion times topics or content that need more targeted training).

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Vanderbilt University we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity diversity and inclusion for all students faculty and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability or status as a protected veteran or any other characteristic protected by law.

Background Checks

Please note: All candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks which may include but are not limited to based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history education verification social media review motor vehicle records credit history and professional license verification.