Manager, Project Management

Creating a World of Learners!Knowledge Learning Corporation (KLC) is the nation’s leading private provider of early childhood and school-age education and care, serving more than 300,000 children in the United States and the District of Columbia. KLC provides early education programs that promote school readiness and a lifetime love of learning.  KLC’s business lines include the KinderCare Learning Centers, Knowledge Beginnings, KLC Employer Partnerships and Children’s Learning Center brands supporting early childhood education and care through approximately 1,900 community-based centers and more than 130 employer-sponsored sites; and KLC School Partnerships, a leading provider of pre-K-12 supplemental educational solutions, operating more than 1700 programs nationwide. We invite you to join the more than 41,000 professional employees who are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children.Job Summary:   Under general direction of the Sr. Director of the Project Management Office (PMO), the Manager of Project Management serves as the functional manager of Project Managers.  Receives assignments in the form of objectives and projects and determines how to allocate resources to meet schedules and goals.  Provides guidance to the team within the latitude of established department and company policies, and recommends changes to policies and establishes procedures.  Acts as an advisor to direct reports to meet project cost, schedule and performance.  Interfaces with project management teams, executives, clients and functional leads to deliver projects and programs that meet company goals and objectives. Job Responsibilities: Essential Functions: Â· Manage team resources and requirements· Manage project portfolio· Work with Service Managers and Account Managers to deliver the best solution to the clients· Advise project management team on leadership techniques, and facilitation skills· Provide team and individual coaching and development· Responsible for all hiring and performance managing their direct reports· Manage customer relationships (programmatically)· Manage Contractor/Vendor relationships (programmatically)· Monitor status of projects, and assist project managers in project recovery· Resolve resource constraints and project stalls· Ensure quality of performance on each project lead by their direct reports· Participate in steering committees, and challenge team to ensure best business decisions are made· Communicate and report on portfolio and program management status· Cascade strategic communication to the team· Implement PMO best practices and changes through the team· Ensure team/project adheres to standardized methodology and standards· Point of escalation for Project Managers, functional manager, and clients· Provide input to Project Governance on best practices and improvement opportunities· Other duties as assigned Non-essential Functions: Â· Leadership courage· Focus on continuous improvement· Supports and advances change within the division and the company· Mentor and coach project staffAdaptability Requirements: Â· Position requires a high degree of adaptability.  Incumbent will be faced with a variety of issues on a day-to-day basis and will be expected to respond to these issues appropriately. Working Conditions: Location: OR-PortlandSchedule:  Full-time.  Extended work hours when necessary to meet deadlinesTravel: Yes, up to 20% Experience and Education: Â· BS or BA in computer science, business, or equivalent required· Five or more years of managing teams of up to 10 direct reports· Ten or more years of project management experience in a variety of environments· Significant experience managing large, multi-functional projects· Strong business acumen· PMI or other project management certification preferred.· Previous experience in the Child Care or related industries is highly desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:   Â· Proven experience in project leadership roles required· Expert level knowledge in project management methodology and project lifecycle required· Experienced in people management, resource planning and budget management required.· Strong influencing skills and ability to interact with senior management required· Excellent interpersonal and  communication skills· Excellent writing skills, with ability to express technical knowledge, procedures and processes in clear, orderly and easily understood presentation· Results driven· Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage project interdependencies· Superior PC skills· Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite of products· Experienced with MS Project or equivalent project management software   We offer a comprehensive benefits package, childcare discount and more! To apply for this position, please click the Apply Now button. To see a list of all of our current openings, please visit our website at http://knowledgelearning.careers.. Knowledge Learning Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. *CB*