Strategic Initiatives Manager

POSITION: Strategic Initiatives Manager

DEPARTMENT: Strategy

LOCATION: Great Hearts Phoenix Home Office, 4717 E Hilton Ave. Suite 300, Phoenix, AZ 85034                                           

REPORTS TO: Chief of Staff / Chief Strategy Officer

SALARY RANGE: $55,000 - $65,000

About Great Hearts Academies 

Great Hearts Academies is the largest network of classical K-12 schools in the country with academies across Arizona, Louisiana, and Texas. With a mission to cultivate the minds and hearts of students through the pursuit of Truth, Goodness and Beauty, we believe the highest goal of education is to become good, intellectually, and morally.    

Additional information can be found at http://www.greatheartsamerica.org/.  

What does Great Hearts have to offer? 

We offer a range of distinctive benefits designed to support the well-being and growth of our faculty and staff: 

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Exceptional medical, dental, and vision insurance with minimal employee contribution. 

• Retirement Planning: A competitive 401(k) with employer match. 

• Supportive & Mission-Driven Culture: Join a workplace centered around true collegiality, collaboration, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. 
  

Position Summary

The Strategic Initiatives Manager will support Great Hearts leadership and partner with and lead cross-departmental project team members to advance the strategic goals of the organization.

The immediate focus and priority of this role is to align closely with the federal Charter School Program (CSP) Grant Steering Committee and to assist all CSP program stakeholders to meet the objectives identified in Great Hearts’ CSP Grant. Through coordination and collaboration across all regions and departments, the Strategic Initiatives Manager will prepare action plans, monitor and complete deliverables, manage administrative tasks, and support project communication. This position will successfully manage all assigned projects and programs from start to finish on time and within budget, delivering results while upholding the organization’s core values of servant leadership, passionate commitment, and team mindset.

As a member of the Strategy team, this position will work closely with the Chief Strategy Officer to support organizational strategic planning, performance monitoring, and related strategic initiatives. The Strategic Initiatives Manager may also conduct research and monitor developments that could affect Great Hearts’ operations and expansion efforts. In addition, the Manager will support special projects assigned by the Chief Strategy Officer that align with organizational priorities.

Duties & Responsibilities

• - Coordinate and support cross-functional strategic initiatives involving multiple departments, regions, and stakeholders
• - Develop project plans, timelines, and accountability measures for strategic initiatives
• - Monitor project progress, identify risks and barriers, and work with project stakeholders to address issues and keep initiatives on track.
• - Facilitate project meetings, document decisions, track action items, and ensure timely completion of deliverables.
• - Prepare project status reports, dashboards, and executive summaries for senior leadership
• - Support development, implementation, and monitoring of organizational strategic plans and priorities
• - Conduct research and analysis on operationally relevant trends, regulatory, political, and policy developments, market conditions, and strategic opportunities
• - Analyze organizational data and trends to inform strategic decision-making
• - Prepare presentations, reports, briefing materials, and decision memoranda for executive leadership and governing boards.
• - Support leadership in preparing for policy discussions, stakeholder engagement, and strategic advocacy efforts.
• Support planning and facilitation of executive retreats, strategic planning sessions, and Board workshops.
• Draft reports and other materials on behalf of the Chief Strategy Officer and Strategy team.
• - Support special projects as assigned by the Chief Strategy Officer in furtherance of organizational priorities. 
  

CSP Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Schedule and facilitate all department / vertical meetings for new school launch
• Collaborate with regional teams on reporting and status against CSP-committed milestones
• Track conversations and necessary actions while keeping all stakeholders accountable with individual and group agency
• Work closely with Grants Coordinator on reporting and compliance with DoE
• Outline and organize Charter Application processes, dates, and requirements for new academies
• Ensure all departments are on track for a new school launch in new regions
• Partner with CSP Steering Committee on streamlined processes and procedures for decisions on the grant
• Troubleshoot issues and monitor risks for scope / objectives, budget, and timeline
• Regularly review needs of the organization and re-assess grant commitments and priorities

Qualifications, Competencies & Strengths

• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with exceptional time-management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven project management skills, including the ability to manage scope, timelines, budgets, stakeholder expectations, and project risks through successful completion.
• Self-directed, resourceful, and proactive, with the ability to work independently, make decisions, and follow through with minimal supervision while knowing when to escalate issues appropriately.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to facilitate productive meetings, coordinate diverse stakeholders, delegate respectfully, build consensus, and maintain accountability.
• rofessional maturity, discretion, and sound judgment in handling confidential information and engaging effectively with senior executives, board members, and external partners.
• Flexible, adaptable, and intellectually curious, with the ability to quickly learn new subject matter and thrive amid ambiguity, changing priorities, and organizational growth.
• Excellent writer, researcher, and critical thinker capable of producing executive-quality analyses, briefing papers, presentations, and recommendations.
• Knowledge of and interest in K-12 education, charter schools, public policy, school choice, and the classical education landscape, with affinity for the mission of Great Hearts.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze strategic, operational, and policy issues; exercise sound judgment; identify risks and opportunities; and support the development of practical, actionable solutions.

Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

Experience: At least 2-4 years in project management, policy research, or management consulting in a relevant field.

Special Skills: Ability to work within a fast paced and dynamic environment with shifting parameters and priorities with enthusiasm and a commitment to excellence. Must have and be able to use personal phone for business communication on responsibilities.

Additional Requirements

Type of fingerprint clearance: Must possess or obtain valid Arizona Department of Public Safety IVP fingerprint clearance card.

Physical functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately.

Travel required: May need to travel locally to the various academies within the Phoenix metro area as well as out of state to current or future Great Hearts locations.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.

Travel required: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.

This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. 

Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.