Research and Policy Keystone Policy Center
Job Description
Job Title: Senior Project Director
Reports To: Center for Education Director
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Combination of in person and remote work, with geographic proximity to one of our offices in Denver or Keystone Colorado
SUMMARY
Keystone Policy Center is seeking a Senior Project Director to lead and administer the Colorado Statewide Family Engagement Center (CO-SFEC), a new 5-year, grant-funded program designed to strengthen and spread high-impact, evidence-based Family-School-Community Partnership (FSCP) structures and practices across our state.
The Senior Project Director is expected to oversee the strategy and implementation of the grant, including but not limited to the following core responsibilities:
- Building and maintaining strategic relationships with implementation partners, state and federal agency leaders, national and local content experts, and an external evaluator.
- Collaborating with internal team members and core partners to oversee all grant activities and track project data to ensure milestones are achieved on time and within budget.
- Cultivating and regularly liaising with a project steering committee who will provide strategic oversight and counsel on all project activities.
- Developing systems for accountability and reporting to meet grant objectives according to federal guidelines.
- Recognizing the importance and factors that lead to education disparities including race, income, disability and other driving factors impacting disaffected communities.
The ideal candidate will have a passion for FSCP and understand its potential for transforming educational outcomes for students and families. They have a proven ability to build coalitions with individuals and entities from a variety of organizational and personal backgrounds and to foster collaboration through reciprocal relationships. They are driven by the pursuit of more equitable educational opportunity. They work collaboratively with others to co-create solutions and strategies while also practicing adaptive leadership to create clarity of role and vision. They will be committed to getting results in a dynamic environment without sacrificing input or quality and have the resilience to navigate setbacks with an eye toward new opportunities.
ABOUT KEYSTONE POLICY CENTER
Keystone Policy Center is a non-profit, non-advocacy organization that brings together crucial teams of stakeholders who have diverse individual perspectives but recognize a common need to address urgent issues with lasting solutions. For more than 45 years, Keystone has helped leaders move beyond fixed positions toward collaborative, action-oriented approaches to problem solving. Keystone has built a portfolio of substantive work in designing effective forums for stakeholders to address complex and often contentious issues throughout the United States and internationally in the areas of health, natural resources, agriculture, education, human rights, and Tribal and Indigenous engagement.
Keystone’s Center for Education challenges entrenched assumptions in the education system through robust research, collaboration with experienced practitioners, and by connecting families and students with education decision-makers. Keystone is a catalyst for effective and genuine engagement, providing all education stakeholders the opportunity to participate in the decisions and actions of the education system.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Building and maintaining external partnerships including working directly with school districts and schools.
- Managing Keystone staff assigned to the grant.
- Managing the overall budget for the grant including developing accountability and reporting systems.
- Managing sub awardees, their contracts, and budgets, to ensure they are meeting the expectations of the grant.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Deep understanding of FSCP policy, politics, and systems.
- Experience managing a large federal grant is preferred.
- Leading or being in a leadership role of a non-profit organization or government/education-based institution.
- Experience developing and managing budget and accountability systems.
- Managing complex multi-stakeholder processes.
- Experience with state or local level policy development.
- Proven ability to:
- Build and maintain relationships and networks.
- Synthesize and communicate complex or diverse information.
- Communicate effectively to diverse audiences, including community members, policymakers and senior level decision makers.
- Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner and develop alternative and innovative solutions.
- Display original thinking and creativity.
- Exhibit objectivity and openness to others’ views.
- Manage multiple work streams at once.
- Contribute to building a positive team environment.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary range for the Senior Project Director position is $95,000 to $110,000. Salary depends on relevant experience. Keystone Policy Center offers a full suite of benefits including generous sick and vacation leave, as well as health and dental benefits, and a 401k matching program.
TRAVEL
This position may require 10-15% travel throughout the year, depending on office location.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND ADA SPECIFICATIONS
This is a largely sedentary position with minimal physical requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT
The Keystone Policy Center and Engage are equal opportunity employers. The Keystone Policy Center and Engage prohibit discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, sickle cell trait, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
Keystone Policy Center is committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provides equal opportunity for employment and advancement throughout our Keystone Policy Center. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard. Diversity, inclusion, and equity are connected to our mission and critical to ensure the well-being of our staff and the groups we serve.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Americans with Disabilities Act
Amendments Act (ADAAA)
The Keystone Policy Center and Engage are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities, which includes providing reasonable accommodations where appropriate.
