Assistant Director (Program Manager II)

• Lead program Operations and Project Management: Lead the operating cadence of the Office including status meetings quarterly goals project management entries and tracking on Director-level commitments; sequence workstreams set milestones and translate Statutory and policy requirements into standard operating procedures and documented workflows across program areas.

• Oversee ESTF program Implementation: Supervise the program manager and staff responsible for ESTF eligibility enrollment deactivation and suspension processes including the assessment reporting tool and districts dashboard; direct the Offices response to the Legislative Audit Council audit including data aggregation methodology documentation and quality assurance stepping in directly on critical deliverables when needed; ensure the Office is responsive to participating schools families and internal SCDE data and finance partners.

• Oversee Charter School program Implementation: Supervise the program manager and staff responsible for day-to-day charter authorizing and oversight including authorizer applications annual reporting financial transparency verification ethics and FOIA compliance and the transfer process framework; hold accountability for the operational closeout of the LCA authorizer transition contributing directly to the work as circumstances require; support Charter Office recruiting and role clarity as the team stands up to meet its expanded responsibilities.

• Support Family Engagement and School Choice Integration: Partner with the Director on the cyclical review of the Family Engagement Framework and its integration with SC Parent Connect; support execution of the Offices strategic plan for internal integration of SCDE school choice initiatives.

• Grow Mentor and Develop the Office Team:With supervision from the Director set clear expectations deliverables and success measures for Office staff; coach team members hold the group accountable for follow-through; invest in professional development so team members grow into new responsibilities.

• Collaborate Across the Agency and With External Partners:Facilitate cross-divisional work With Finance Legal Communications and other agency offices; collaborate with authorizers participating schools ESTF service providers districts and family-facing organizations; contribute to briefings and materials for the State Board and other external audiences as directed by the Director.

• Contribute to Office Strategy and Continuous Improvement: Help the Director shape multi-year plans for each program area; identify opportunities to strengthen how the Office serves students families and schools; bring analysis judgment and options to the Director for decision.

• Foster a Culture of Service Excellence and Accountability: Model a culture grounded in service to students and families care for colleagues high expectations for the work and shared accountability for results.

• Bachelors degree in education public administration public policy business or a related field; or equivalent education and experience.
• Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in program management with at least three (3) years in a role that included supervising or leading a team.
• Demonstrated experience leading a program office or major initiative including responsibility for outcomes deliverables and team performance.
• Strong program and project management skills including the ability to manage multiple priorities sequence work and keep a team focused on what matters most.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to represent the office effectively to internal offices leadership and external partners.
• Sound judgment and the ability to work through complex issues with care and clarity.
• Commitment to service integrity accountability and the mission of the South Carolina Department of Education.
• Direct experience with South Carolinas charter school program ESTF program or another states education savings account or scholarship program.
• Experience working with authorizing bodies State Boards of Education or oversight entities.
• Experience with family-facing programs community engagement or school-family partnership work.
• Project or program management credentials (e.g. PMP PgMP Lean Six Sigma) are a plus.

• Health Dental Vision Long Term Disability and Life Insurance for Employee Spouse and Children.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year.
• 15 days sick leave per year.
• 13 paid holidays.
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs.

Director