Project Manager, Business Optimization (Contractor)

Compensation Range:

Position Summary

The Project Manager, Business Optimization plays a key role in improving organizational efficiency, coordination, and operational execution across the Academies. They will manage cross-functional initiatives that strengthen business operations, optimize workflows, and ensure progress across strategic priorities. The Project Manager partners with leadership and teams across sales, marketing, product, finance, and client success to coordinate workstreams, improve reporting and dashboards, and ensure initiatives are implemented effectively. They will support operational excellence by translating strategic priorities into clear project plans, improving visibility into organizational performance, and strengthening the systems and processes that enable the organization to scale.

Essential Functions:

Business Optimization & Operational Initiatives

• Leads initiatives and projects that leverage AI to improve organizational systems, workflows, and operational efficiency.

• Identifies opportunities to streamline systems and reduce operational friction.
• Coordinates cross-functional teams to ensure initiatives progress effectively.
• Tracks project timelines, deliverables, and milestones.

Strategic Workstream Management

• Maintains visibility across key organizational initiatives and projects.
• Tracks progress against priorities across sales, marketing, product, and operations teams.
• Maintains project plans and workstream timelines.
• Identifies risks, bottlenecks, or resource needs and escalate when appropriate.
• Facilitates communication and coordination across departments.

Executive Dashboards & Organizational Reporting

• Builds and maintains executive dashboards tracking key organizational metrics.
• Supports development of reporting frameworks across departments.
• Coordinates collection of operational and performance data.
• Prepares summaries and updates for leadership meetings among diverse stakeholders.
• Supports automation of reporting where possible (e.g., sales pipeline and performance, program implementation metrics, operational efficiency indicators, financial and revenue tracking, strategic initiative progress).

Philanthropic Initiative Coordination

• Supports operational management of philanthropic initiatives.
• Maintains project plans tracking deliverables, milestones, and timelines tied to philanthropic initiatives.
• Coordinates internal teams and cross-functional alignment responsible for implementing funded programs.
• Supports preparation of updates and reporting related to funded initiatives.

Systems & Workflow Coordination

• Supports coordination of operational systems and workflow improvements.
• Manages the systemic usage of operational systems such as Salesforce, Workday, Teams, Asana, and SharePoint.
• Documents workflows and system requirements.
• Coordinates with systems administrators and IT teams on implementation projects.
• Supports rollout and adoption of AI tools to support operational workflows.

Operations Playbook & SOP Development

• Supports development of scalable operational infrastructure.
• Documents Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Contributes to development and enhancement of the organization’s Operations Playbook.
• Maintains organized documentation within the Shared Services knowledge base.
• Supports adoption of operational processes across teams.

Strategic Initiative & Event Coordination

• Supports coordination of major initiatives and leadership events.
• Maintains planning timelines for strategic initiatives and events.
• Coordinates stakeholders and deliverables across teams.
• Tracks key milestones and ensures follow-through on commitments.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Education or a related field required.
• Minimum of four (4) to seven (7) years of experience in project management, business operations, or operational strategy required.
• Experience with process improvement methodologies such as Lean Management, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement frameworks preferred.
• Experience in Leadership and Management in K-12, Ed Tech, or publishing institution, is preferred.
• Proven experience working in fast-paced, dynamic environments with a track record of delivering on multiple, complex projects required.
• Strong background in strategic operations and process improvement preferred.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and collaborating across departments preferred.

Competencies/Technical/Functional Skills:

• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Ability to build strong working relationships and collaborate effectively across teams and leadership levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to operational efficiency and process improvement.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Ability to adapt to evolving priorities and operate effectively in a dynamic environment.
• High level of discretion and professionalism when managing sensitive information.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for creating meaningful impact on education.

Location: Remote, USA

Travel: Some Travel Required; Approximately 15% travel to NU headquarters for quarterly meetings and other travel for special events

Candidate receiving offers will be offered a salary/pay rate commensurate with experience that vary based on a candidate’s qualifications, skills, and competencies.  Absent exceptional circumstances, candidates will be offered a salary within this range for this position. The minimum salary will be offered based on the minimum exemption threshold based on state of residency. Base pay is one component of National University’s total rewards package, as we are dedicated to supporting the needs of the “whole you” with our holistic approach to employee benefits by offering comprehensive well-being benefits for you and your family.  For full details about our benefit plan offerings, please visit benefits.nu.edu. For Part-time benefits, please click here.

National University is committed to maintaining a high-quality workforce representative of the populations we serve. National University employs more than 4,500 faculty and staff and serves over 45,000 students. We are united in our mission to meet the global education demands of the 21st Century and are dedicated to creating a supportive academic and work environment that allows students, faculty and staff to develop their interests and talents while experiencing a sense of community. With programs available both online and at our many campus locations, National University is a leader in creating innovative solutions to education and meeting the needs of our student population, including adult learners and working professionals.

National University (NU) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant per applicable federal, state and local laws. At NU, a mix of highly talented, innovative and creative people come together to make the impact of a lifetime for each of our student learners. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment, education, and admission at National University.