Project Manager (Priority School)

Position Profile

Position:Project Manager

School/Department:Galileo Middle School

Reports To:Principal Jeffrey Sterk

FTE:1.00

Days/Year:207

Salary Grade:P79B

Salary Schedule:2025-2026 Executive Professional Salary Schedule School Based Positions (Group B)

FLSA Status:Exempt

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Position Summary

The Project Manager is a school-based leadership position responsible for leading and coordinating key school improvement and community school initiatives within an identified Priority School. Working in close partnership with school administration this role oversees the planning implementation and alignment of grant-funded and turnaround efforts designed to accelerate student achievement and strengthen school culture.

As a Priority School under the Colorado Department of Educations School Performance Framework (SPF) these campuses operate under heightened accountability standards. The Project Manager plays a critical role in advancing academic achievement student growth and postsecondary readiness while supporting schools in progressing toward the Colorado Performance level.

Responsibilities include leading development of the Community School strategy; managing the EASI Accountability Pathways grant; coordinating School of Innovation plans and academic pathways; serving as liaison to community partners including health and social service providers; and acting as the Colorado Department of Education point of contact for required accountability actions. The position ensures compliance with grant requirements oversees project work plans and fiscal management supports data-driven instruction and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) and strengthens partnerships with families and community stakeholders.

The ideal candidate is a results-driven leader who thrives in high-accountability environments builds strong relationships and is deeply committed to ensuring all students achieve at high levels.

Essential Job Functions

• Partners with school principals to provide vision leadership and strategic direction for the successful implementation of school improvement turnaround and Community School initiatives within Priority Schools.
  
  
• Develops coordinates and implements comprehensive project work plans outlining goals activities timelines benchmarks and measurable outcomes; monitors progress and revises plans as needed to ensure successful execution.
  
  
• Leads development integration and alignment of the Community School strategy School of Innovation plans academic pathways and EASI Accountability Pathways grant initiatives.
  
  
• Serves as the primary liaison and point of contact for the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) regarding accountability requirements including required On the Clock actions.
  
  
• Manages day-to-day operational aspects of assigned initiatives ensuring alignment with school improvement goals district priorities and state and federal regulations.
  
  
• Oversees grant implementation including budget monitoring allowable expenditures purchasing processes fiscal reporting documentation and compliance with grant and district requirements.
  
  
• Ensures all project documentation reports and records are complete current audit-ready and securely maintained.
  
  
• Coordinates and maintains strong relationships with district departments community organizations business partners health and social service providers and other stakeholders to support student success.
  
  
• Establishes and sustains community partnerships including development of marketing strategies volunteer engagement in-kind donations financial support and community events to expand resources for students and families.
  
  
• Supports targeted student recruitment and outreach efforts aligned to specialized programs or academic pathways.
  
  
• Collaborates with external evaluators to support project evaluation efforts data collection and continuous improvement processes.
  
  
• Uses data to inform strategic decisions and ensure strong alignment between school improvement initiatives instructional practices and student outcomes.
  
  
• Supports the implementation of data-driven instruction student discipline systems and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) to strengthen school culture and academic performance.
  
  
• Assists with planning and coordination of professional development aligned to turnaround priorities and instructional improvement goals.
  
  
• Prepares and delivers regular progress reports and presentations to principals district leadership committees and other stakeholders; communicates formative and summative outcomes internally and externally.
  
  
• Identifies resources necessary to accomplish project goals and proactively resolves or escalates implementation barriers in a timely manner.
  
  
• Performs other related duties as assigned in support of school improvement and accountability objectives.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• School improvement and turnaround strategies particularly in Priority Schools and high-accountability contexts.
  
  
• Colorado Department of Education (CDE) accountability systems including the School Performance Framework (SPF) and related compliance requirements.
  
  
• Community School models integrated student support frameworks and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS).
  
  
• Project management techniques work plan development milestone tracking and risk management.
  
  
• Federal state and district grant procedures fiscal management practices and compliance regulations.
  
  
• Basic financial concepts and budget oversight in public school settings.
  
  
• Data-driven decision-making practices instructional improvement and professional development planning.
  
  
• Community partnership development volunteer engagement and cross-sector collaboration practices.

Skills in:

• Driving for Results proven ability to achieve outstanding results through focused task-oriented actions.
  
  
• Influencing for Results motivating others building consensus and leveraging distributed leadership to achieve goals.
  
  
• Problem-Solving strategic analysis of data to inform decisions develop clear action plans and ensure alignment with school learning goals.
  
  
• Confidence to Lead maintaining visibility focus commitment and self-assurance in high-accountability environments.
  
  
• Project management and organizational skills to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
  
  
• Budget monitoring fiscal tracking and maintaining audit-ready documentation.
  
  
• Building and sustaining relationships with school leaders staff families community partners and external agencies.
  
  
• Effective written and verbal communication; ability to deliver engaging presentations to diverse audiences.
  
  
• Team leadership and facilitation including motivating project teams to work efficiently and collaboratively.
  
  
• Problem resolution and escalation ensuring timely and effective responses to project or operational challenges.
  
  
• Technology proficiency including data systems project management tools and standard office applications.
  
  
• Student-centered mindset with a consistent belief that all students can achieve at high levels when provided excellent instruction and supports.

Ability to:

• Lead and influence diverse stakeholders in high-accountability and urban school environments.
  
  
• Align multiple initiatives under a cohesive school improvement strategy.
  
  
• Interpret and apply grant requirements district policies and state regulations accurately.
  
  
• Prioritize tasks manage competing demands and meet strict deadlines with attention to detail.
  
  
• Collaborate effectively with educators families community partners and government agencies.
  
  
• Communicate complex information clearly to varied audiences.
  
  
• Remain resilient visible and focused despite professional challenges.
  
  
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Education Educational Leadership Public Administration or a related field
• Valid Colorado Principal/Administrator License
• Minimum of three (3) years of successful teaching experience.
• At least 35 years of progressively responsible experience in project management school improvement or educational administration preferably in high-accountability or turnaround school settings.
• Demonstrated experience in school improvement data analysis instructional coaching and implementation of Colorado Academic Standards UIP process and MTSS framework.
• Experience working in turnaround or Priority Improvement schools.
• Preferred qualifications include Masters degree in Educational Leadership or a related field
  training in restorative practices and trauma-informed school approaches experience leading Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and professional development initiatives and bilingual proficiency (English/Spanish or other district-identified languages).

Organizational Relationship

Reports to Principal or designated administrator

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Work is performed in a school office and throughout the school campus with frequent interaction among students staff families and community members. The position requires extended hours attendance at evening events and availability during emergencies or high-need periods. Duties must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Additional Financial Incentives for Priority Schools

Base Salary Setting: Employment assignment and salary placement is in accordance with job description requirements. A work history is required to demonstrate job title job duties and time worked in the position. Reference the linked How Your Compensation Is Determined for more details.

Salary Setting (New Hires): Newly-employed Executive Professionals will be placed on the twenty (20) step system. Each step represents two years of experience based upon equivalent experience. Beginning in July 2025 The maximum number of years of experience granted is 14 which is equivalent to placement on step seven (7). Steps are determined by experience listed on the application and resume.

Salary Setting (Rehires): Returning employees who have previously resigned or separated from the District will be rehired at the same step they were on at the time of resignation/separation plus any new experience gained in the same job provided step increases were approved by the Board during the years in question.

Employees with experience in the District who have left the District and then returned to the same position shall be hired at the same pay grade (P78) and step at time of resignation. Additional relevant experience gained after resignation may be evaluated from the employees application and updated resume.

See Employee Handbook (located on the D11 website) for information on salary setting for rehires (after retirement) promotions and lateral transfers.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Required Experience:

IC