Project Manager (Technology Operations)

Description

The Role 

Capstone is seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Technology Operations Project Manager to join our Technology team. In this hands-on role, you’ll play a key part in bridging the gap between strategic goals and tactical execution—translating our broader technology roadmap into actionable projects that deliver real business value. 

As the Technology Operations Project Manager, you’ll be a vital member of the Finance and Operations team, responsible for leading and coordinating cross-functional initiatives related to IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, compliance, and process improvement. You’ll work closely with stakeholders across the organization to plan, drive, and deliver high-impact projects that enhance the efficiency, reliability, and scalability of our technology operations. Join us at Capstone and help shape the future of our technology operations while driving meaningful, measurable results. 

Our preference is for this role to be hybrid, based out of either our Edina, MN or North Mankato, MN locations.  

Why You’ll Want To Join Capstone 

We support teaching and learning with amazing content that engages students, inspires teachers, and connects families and communities to move literacy forward. Capstone is a fast-paced growth company committed to cultivating a love of reading and learning. We know that Learning is for Everyone. 

For over 30 years, Capstone has been a national leader in K-5 educational content including digital products (PebbleGo, PebbleGo Next, PebbleGo Create, Capstone Interactive, Capstone Connect) and award-winning books. We combine a passion for helping foster a powerful love of reading and learning with the talent to create amazing content.  

We are a mission-driven company that provides opportunities for professional learning and development and a culture of inclusion and belonging. 

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES 

Project Management? 

• Partner with Technology and Operations team leads to scope key initiatives within IT/Security Roadmap, ensuring they are well-defined and documented within the product backlog.?? 
• Develop detailed project plans and timelines, collaborating with technical teams to understand requirements, dependencies and risks.? 
• Lead and manage Technology team projects using appropriate project management methodologies (e.g. Agile, Waterfall) to define tasks, timelines, dependencies and risks, and to track overall progress to ensure successful project delivery.? 
• Ensure that Technology project priorities are aligned to Capstone Objectives and Key Results (OKRs).? 
• Proactively identify opportunities for improving project delivery processes.?? 

IT Infrastructure & Operations? 

• Collaborate with Team Leads and Product Owners to facilitate the flow of work through cross-functional teams to ensure completion of service tickets and vulnerability remediation.? 
• Work closely with IT and Security teams to track incident resolution and response time metrics as defined in SLAs and use metrics to drive ongoing process improvements.? 
• Partner with Technology and Operations team leads to surface and mitigate any risks or dependencies that would impact team workflow.? 

Security & Compliance? 

• Schedule and coordinate cybersecurity assessments (e.g., penetration tests, audits, vulnerability scans) and remediation efforts.? 
• Manage and track security and compliance program activities and monitor controls using Drata or other compliance management tools.?? 
• Monitor recurring security and compliance tasks or training and coordinate with teams as needed to ensure timely completion.? 
• Support compliance initiatives related to SOC 2, NIST or other security frameworks.? 
• Operationalize changes to policies, processes or systems as required to comply with security frameworks or regulations and monitor to ensure timely completion.? 
• Collaborate with Contracts & Compliance team to facilitate completion of IT and Security questionnaires as needed for proposals and audits.? 

Agile Leadership? 

• Participate in Agile ceremonies (daily scrum meetings, sprint planning, backlog grooming and retrospectives) and facilitate the flow of work through the teams to align with the objectives of our Planning Intervals (PI).? 
• Effectively manage the Jira product backlog including grooming and prioritization, identifying key dependencies and engaging cross-functional resources as needed.? 
• Anticipate impediments and work with the team to mitigate to keep a steady and sustainable flow of work.? 
• Support and champion Agile methodologies within the organization to drive towards continuous improvement.? 

Communication & Collaboration?? 

• Champion collaboration and teamwork in service of our Technology roadmap and Planning Interval (PI) objectives.? 
• Strong communicator both to technical and non-technical stakeholders, with a focus on clarity and transparency.? 
• Cultivate strong relationships with key business stakeholders and leaders to support business needs, fostering collaboration and a commitment to working together.?? 
• Empathetic individual who listens well, is responsive, and fosters an open and transparent environment for teams.? 
• Facilitates discussion and decision making and is comfortable resolving conflict.? 
• Collaborate with departmental leadership to understand business needs and manage stakeholder relationships effectively.?

Education, Experience, and Skills desired:  

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university, or equivalent combination of education and experience  
• 3-5 years of experience in IT project management or operations, including projects with multiple cross-functional teams and dependencies  
• Strong understanding of IT infrastructure and security, with the ability to guide discussions across both technical and non-technical teams  
• Familiarity with SOC2, NIST CSF, or other security and compliance programs   
• Experience with security controls and monitoring applications  
• Demonstrates understanding of Agile methodologies and applications, familiarity with Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) preferred  
• Experience with Atlassian portfolio of products (Jira, Confluence, Jira Service Management)  
• Sound analytical and strategic problem-solving and documentation skills with accurate and precise attention to detail  
• Proactive, takes initiative to suggest ideas and bring solutions  
• Demonstrates ability to effectively manage time and prioritize conflicting demands to complete assigned tasks  
• Comfortable working with hybrid and remote teams  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills – clear and concise  

Travel Requirements 

Approximately 5-10% travel may be required in the future. 

Inclusion & Belonging 

Capstone embraces diversity, inclusion, equal opportunity, and belonging for all employees and applicants. Many times, underrepresented individuals, including people of color, women, protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, may only consider applying for roles in which they meet all the criteria listed in a posting. Capstone is advancing and changing, and we encourage anyone to apply to our roles, even if you only meet some of the criteria, because you may just be a perfect fit! 

We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. As such, we welcome applicants of diverse races, ethnicities, geographic origins, gender identities, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, religions, work experience, physical and intellectual abilities, and financial means. All candidate information will be kept private according to EEO guidelines. 

If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to hrservices@capstonepub.com.  

The pay range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered surrounding compensation including but not limited to: skill sets, experience and training, work location, and other business and organizational needs. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $75,000-$85,000. 

Capstone strives to provide comprehensive and market-competitive benefits to meet the needs of our employees and their families. Click here to see our benefits.? 

Pre-Employment Background Check Required. 

California Applicants:  

Applicants from California can access our California Privacy Notice here.  

Employment Authorization:  

At this time Capstone unfortunately cannot sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa. To be considered for one of our roles, applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.