Project Manager (Contractor)

Overview of CommonLit

CommonLit is a nonprofit education technology organization dedicated to ensuring that all students, especially students in Title I schools, graduate with the reading, writing, communication, and problem-solving skills they need to be successful in college and beyond. We envision a world where all students get the opportunity to have a world class education. We operate an online reading program for grades 3-12, www.CommonLit.org, that is used by teachers in over 90,000 American schools.

The Opportunity

As a Project Manager (Contractor) at CommonLit, you will be responsible for working with our Chief Operating Officer and teams across the company to define the strategy, requirements, and timelines for executing impactful org-wide projects and programs. We’re looking for a contractor who has previous experience in a project or program management role that can quickly hit the ground running building project plans, coordinating resources, managing implementation activities and developing all processes associated with program rollout and ongoing support. The ideal candidate for this role is a detail-oriented self-starter with excellent communication and relationship building skills.

The Project Manager (Contractor) will report directly to our Chief Operating Officer. The hourly rate for the role is set at $60-70/hour at 30 hours per week. The contract is slated for four months with the option for extension. The anticipated start date for this contractor position is May 1, 2025.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Planning and Scope Definition

-Define project goals and objectives

-Plan and manage multiple complex projects at one time

-Consider success measures tied to the organizational goals and how you will track them

2. Problem Solving

-Identify, elevate, and propose solutions to issues that arise during project execution

3. Project Leadership

-Hold teams accountable to project timelines and provide consistent reporting to leadership

-Lead project meetings/working sessions, and successfully manage the execution of work across multiple virtual cross-functional teams

-Provide frameworks through which any new programs/improvement objectives can be delivered, and continue to monitor success of these programs across the organization

4. Schedule Management

-Develop and maintain project timelines and schedules, ensuring timely completion of tasks

5. Cross-Team Communication

-Drive conversations and the delivery of project deliverables

6. Risk Management

-Identify, assess, elevate, and mitigate potential risks that could impact project success

-Identify and clear roadblocks for teams in partnership with other stakeholders

7. Project Documentation

-Maintain accurate and up-to-date project documentation, including plans, reports, and meeting minutes.

8. Resource Allocation

-Identify and allocate resources (human, financial and material) effectively

Qualifications

-4-6 years of project/program management role, or equivalent relevant experience

-A strong track record of delivering multiple complex and high-priority projects simultaneously within a high-growth organization, engaging cross-functional stakeholders across the organization at all levels. Experience in technology organizations is a plus.

-Experience executing company-wide initiatives and programs, which involves: defining project plans, coordinating resources, managing implementation activities and developing all processes associated with program rollout and ongoing support

-Expert problem-solving capabilities

-Demonstrated ability to consider context and goals before deciding on the best course of action

-Experience building strong relationships with team members/internal partners, with the ability to navigate through ambiguity

-Strong business acumen

-Proven experience setting expectations for major cross-functional initiatives and eliciting high-level requirements from both business and technical stakeholders; ability to translate those into detailed, prioritized, actionable project plans with clear milestones and tasks

-Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Physical & Additional Requirements

This role involves prolonged periods in a stationary position at a desk and working on a computer

Compensation: $60-70/hour, 30 hour/week contract (4 months)

Apply by date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at 5 pm ET

As an equal opportunity employer, CommonLit values having a diverse workforce and continuously strives to maintain an inclusive and equitable workplace. We encourage people with a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate against any person based upon their race, traits historically associated with race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy or related medical conditions, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or an other legally protected characteristics. If you are a qualified applicant requiring assistance or an accommodation to complete any step of the application process due to a disability, you may contact us at careers@commonlit.org