Project Manager, Education Administration

Posting Date

Aug 1, 2025, 3:33:56 PM

Central-42 West Madison Street (Access and Enrollment)

76,000.

Non-Union Position

Exempt

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) serves over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employs more than 44,000 people. CPS has an ambitious mission to provide every student with a world-class learning experience. The Office of Portfolio Management (OPM) ensures students have well-resourced school choices through enrollment systems and school accountability. The Office of Access and Enrollment (OAE) manages application, selection, and notification for all district elementary and charter high schools, including the GoCPS platform, which serves over 50,000 families annually.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Access & Enrollment, the Project Manager leads strategy and implementation of midsize to large-scale projects within OAE, managing all phases of the parent/student application and selection cycle. The Project Manager serves as a subject matter expert on GoCPS details and interfaces with the vendor to develop system enhancements.

• Strategize, manage, and execute OAE communications strategy.
• Oversee development of OAE communications guidelines.
• Develop and implement tailored communications to diverse stakeholders, translating OAE policy and admissions priorities to various audiences.
• Create a training strategy for all stakeholders, including school administration, counselors, clerks, families, and call center staff.
• Produce training materials and oversee GoCPS website and school profile pages improvement.
• Manage the GoCPS platform as a subject matter liaison with the vendor.
• Document GoCPS business rules and internal procedures.
• Oversee annual system set-up and comprehensive testing plan to ensure seamless delivery to families and school administrators.
• Maintain overall department timeline and keep team members on track to milestones.
• Manage OAE operational activities, ensuring accurate project information across the department.
• Collaborate and support OAE peers and leadership.
• Create and execute project work plans and revise as needed.
• Initiate and manage multiple projects in parallel with multiple dependencies.
• Use influence to eliminate bottlenecks and resource alignment problems.
• Manage projects within standard project management methodologies for time, quality, and budget.
• Identify resources needed and assign individual responsibilities for various projects.
• Implement process improvements to enhance the parent/student application experience.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required.
• CAPM or PMP Certification preferred.

• Minimum of five (5) years of managing projects involving internal and external stakeholders.
• Previous experience in an urban school district or nonprofit supporting urban education is preferred.
• Experience in Education (K-12) project or program work is preferred.

• Knowledgeable about organization and process structures.
• Proficient in Project Management practices, principles, and tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience developing training materials for adult learners.
• Ability to apply process standards.
• Self-motivated/willingness to take initiative.
• Proven ability to build positive working relationships within own team and other areas of business.
• Ability to effectively communicate with customers, project and functional management to identify needs and evaluate alternative solutions.
• Ability to work as a Project Manager on multiple simultaneous projects.
• Ability to work independently towards established goals.

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency:
  Employees must live within the City of Chicago geographical boundaries within six months of hire and maintain residency throughout employment. This requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, but all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.

• Medical Plan Options
• Pharmacy
• Vision
• Behavioral Health & EAP
• Employee Wellness Program

• Basic Life Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Pension Plans
• Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Spot Pet Insurance

• Competitive paid time off policies.

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