Director of Special Projects

Role Overview

• Provide direct supervision and performance oversight of Project Directors and implementation staff, setting clear expectations and holding teams accountable for results.
• Maintain expert knowledge of programs and grants within the federal program portfolio to provide strategic leadership, monitor budgets, and assess goals, objectives, and outcomes.
• Assume leadership of high-priority or time-sensitive initiatives, stabilizing implementation and restoring momentum when projects require focused intervention.
• Launch, implement, measure, and assess all projects to ensure compliance and progress toward milestones.
• Collaborate across teams to oversee project implementation, ensuring performance measures are met while providing coaching and capacity-building support as needed.
• Develop and implement risk management protocols across assigned projects, proactively identifying challenges and recommending solutions to mitigate operational, financial, or compliance risks.
• Develop and maintain reporting systems and accountability dashboards to monitor performance, progress.
• Cultivate relationships with project partners, funders, and stakeholders to advance project outcomes.
• Provide ongoing, targeted technical assistance across the federal program portfolio to ensure compliance with federal spending, district reimbursements, document storage, and reporting.
• Develop and edit contractual documents to improve project implementation and identify areas for continuous improvement.
• Collaborate across teams to translate strategic priorities into actionable initiatives.
• Prepare regular progress reports.
• Plan and coordinate the development, implementation, and execution of sub-programs, special projects, and initiatives across federal programs, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and shared outcomes.
• Develop and manage program infrastructure, including forms, data collection tools, templates, protocols, and documentation to support organizational workflows and reporting requirements.
• Assist in the launch of new programs, preserve existing programs, and closeout of ending grants.
• Serve in interim leadership capacities to maintain continuity, compliance and performance.
• Represent PRI, upholding organizational credibility while building and maintaining strategic relationships with partners, funders, and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, nonprofit management, business administration, education, social sciences, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Five years of experience in nonprofit program management, grant administration, strategic planning, or a related field.
• Three years of experience in supervision and personnel management.
• Strong background in federal, state, and private grant management, including compliance and reporting.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Superior interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Collaborative and collegial leadership style.
• Demonstrated ability to cross boundaries of race, class, ethnic origin and personal philosophy; capacity to work effectively with a broad range of constituencies.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Successfully complete pre-employment background check.

Benefits

• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts, plus an employee assistance program.
• Life and long-term disability insurance and retirement plan.
• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and annual holidays, in addition to paid parental leave.
• Tuition assistance and professional development for employees.