Special Projects Manager
Black Wealth Data Center (BWDC) is seeking a talented, highly organized and collaborative Special Projects Manager responsible for managing key initiatives and supporting leadership in executing high-priority projects. This role will work across departments, ensuring seamless project execution, strong internal systems, and effective stakeholder engagement. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Special Projects Manager will also provide direct support to the Leadership Team (LT) on strategic initiatives and operational efficiencies.
The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver with strong project management experience, excellent communication skills, and the ability to create and refine systems that improve organizational effectiveness.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
Project Initiative & Planning
- Collaborate with stakeholders to identify project needs and define project scope, objectives, deliverables, and timelines.
- Lead the planning, execution, and monitoring of special projects from inception to completion.
- Ensure alignment of projects with organizational goals and strategic priorities.
- Facilitate communication and collaboration between team members, stakeholders, and senior management.
Project Management & Execution
- Manage complex, multi-phase projects with clear tracking and accountability mechanisms.
- Continuously improve systems for tracking and measuring work, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.
- Implement structured workflows, ensuring seamless coordination across departments.
- Serve as a key liaison between the BWDC and internal/external stakeholders
- Drive the agenda and approach for operating routines, including executive leadership meetings.
Reporting & Documentation
- Regularly report on project status, including progress updates, key metrics, and any roadblocks to senior leadership.
- Analyze project data to identify areas for improvement and implement necessary adjustments.
- Prepare comprehensive project documentation, including post-project reviews and lessons learned.
Executive Support & Strategic Initiatives
- Provide anticipatory and comprehensive support to the leadership team (LT) and executive director (ED) on key deliverables.
- Support the leadership team in the planning and execution of events, meetings, and related conferences.
- Coordinate or support special projects and initiatives, ensuring timely execution and delivery of results.
- Develop formal presentations for the ED and stakeholders, as needed.
- Develop a strategic approach to client engagement, prioritizing target users, leveraging impactful forums, and measuring results.
Decision Support & Analysis
- Analyze BWDC’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Objectives & Key Results (OKRs), providing insights to support decision-making for the ED and executive team.
- Synthesize insights from multiple data sources to inform strategic priorities and project adjustments.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree.
- Eight years related experience in project management with proven ability to work independently on projects.
- Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond HS Diploma/Graduation Equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with philanthropic organizations, nonprofits, or mission-driven institutions.
- Strong understanding of data-driven decision-making and strategy development.
- Knowledge of partnership dynamics between academic institutions, nonprofits, and funders.
- Strong background in process creation, systems management, and documentation.
- Exceptional relationship management and ability to collaborate effectively across stakeholders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare professional reports, presentations, and documentation.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to tackling challenges.
- Experience working closely with executive leadership, with an ability to anticipate needs and drive high-priority initiatives.
- Understanding of tracking and measuring impact, with experience analyzing organizational performance data.
- Experience managing multi-sector partnerships, philanthropy, or academic collaborations is a plus.
- Familiarity with project management tools and workflow automation platforms.
Classified Title: Sr. Strategic Project Manager
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Special Projects Manager
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PF
Starting Salary Range: $85,500 - $149,800 annually ($130,000 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Hybrid/555 Pen
Department name: Black Wealth Data Center - BWDC
Personnel area: School of Government & Policy