Project Manager

The Role

The Project Manager is responsible for leading complex, cross-functional initiatives that support Acceleration Academies growth, scalability, and operational excellence. This role plays a key part in executing high-impact projects such as charter school openings, new academy launches, mergers and acquisitions, and other enterprise-wide strategic initiatives.

Working closely with senior leaders and cross-functional teams, the Project Manager translates strategy into execution and ensures projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with Acceleration Academies mission and operating model.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end planning, execution, and delivery of medium to large-scale initiatives across the organization
• Define project scope, owners, objectives, timelines, milestones, dependencies, risks, and success metrics
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with organizational priorities
• Proactively identify risks and implement mitigation strategies to keep work on track
• Support charter school openings and new academy launches by coordinating operational readiness across staffing, systems, compliance, facilities, and enrollment
• Lead project coordination for academy expansions, program launches, and other growth initiatives
• Support mergers and acquisitions and integration efforts, including operational alignment, process standardization, and transition planning
• Execute special projects tied to organizational transformation, innovation, or operational improvement
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, quality, and scalability
• Lead process mapping, root cause analysis, and data-informed improvement efforts
• Develop scalable solutions, playbooks, and standard operating procedures
• Measure and report project impact using defined performance metrics
• Partner with leaders and teams to align priorities, expectations, and execution plans
• Lead project planning and execution meetings, driving clear ownership of deliverables, tracking progress, and keeping leaders informed of status, risks, and dependencies
• Facilitate clear and consistent communication across stakeholders
• Support change management efforts to ensure adoption and sustainability
• Influence without authority and effectively navigate competing priorities
• Maintain project documentation, timelines, and status reporting
• Provide regular updates to leadership highlighting progress, risks, and outcomes
• Ensure adherence to project management standards and best practices

Required Qualifications

• Five to seven or more years of experience leading complex, cross-functional project initiatives
• Proven success managing multi-stakeholder efforts from planning through execution
• Experience operating in regulated, operationally complex, or mission-driven environments
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting charter schools, public education systems, or education service organizations
• Experience with new site openings, program launches, or organizational integrations
• Lean Six Sigma, PMP, PgMP, or other project management or continuous improvement certifications preferred but not required
• Familiarity with Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid delivery models
• Experience with software to drive project planning (Gantt charts, etc)
• Experience working closely with senior leadership teams
• Ability to work regular business hours aligned with Central or Eastern Time zones

Key Competencies

• Results-driven with a strong bias for execution
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills
• High levels of organization and follow-through
• Comfort navigating ambiguity and driving clarity
• Strong systems thinking and business acumen

Why This Role Matters

This role is critical to turning strategy into action at Acceleration Academies. The Project Manager ensures that complex initiatives are executed with discipline, clarity, and impact, enabling the organization to scale responsibly while delivering high-quality outcomes for graduate candidates and communities.

We Value Our Team’s Well-being
We prioritize the holistic well-being of our team members and their families through comprehensive benefits:
Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with up to a 4% company match to help secure your future.
Comprehensive Insurance Coverage: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, Company Paid Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance options are available to protect you and your loved ones.
Flexible Paid Time Off: Encouraging a healthy work-life balance through adaptable PTO.
Wellness Support: Employer-paid financial wellness programs and access to mental health resources.
Employee Referral Incentives: Rewarding you for helping us build a talented team.
Professional Development: Certification reimbursement programs to invest in your growth.
Bonus Opportunities: Celebrating milestones and achievements with performance-based bonuses.

Ready to Make a Difference?
If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact and shaping the future of education, we’d love to hear from you. Join us in redefining what’s possible for students everywhere.

Third-Party Agency & Recruiter Notice for Acceleration Academies
Agencies presenting candidates must have an active, nonexpired Master Services Agreement and be formally engaged by an Acceleration Academies Recruiter. Resumes submitted outside these terms will be considered the property of Acceleration Academies.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Acceleration Academies is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

All roles at Acceleration Academies include core responsibilities that are fundamental to student success and overall academy operations. Applicants should carefully review the job description to ensure they can meet these requirements. Essential duties typically include:

• Consistent, reliable attendance during scheduled work hours

• On-site presence (for roles designated as in-person/onsite)

• Management of assigned workload and productivity expectations

• Ability to perform job functions in an open, student-centered workspace

If you believe you may need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the role, Acceleration Academies will engage in an interactive process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please note that accommodations cannot remove essential job functions or fundamentally alter the nature of the role.