Project Coordinator

Springboard Collaborative invites talented and passionate candidates to apply for the position of Project Coordinator. The Project Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring the efficient execution of projects and program operations and effective tools and resource management to high levels of stakeholder satisfaction. A successful candidate will be a masterful verbal and written communicator; be an innovative thinker who generates fresh, solution-oriented ideas; have solid organizational and time management skills, with the ability to balance multiple, competing projects simultaneously; be a self-starter with the impetus to get things done both independently and in collaboration with team members. This posting has a preference for candidates living in the Midwest (MI, IL, IN, WI).

Springboard Collaborative closes the literacy gap by closing the gap between home and school. We coach educators and family members to help kids learn to read by 4th grade. Springboard envisions a world in which all children have the requisite literacy skills to access life opportunities. The Project Coordinator supports this goal by directly and indirectly supporting program implementation for multiple partnerships and identifying operational improvement opportunities for existing and future stakeholders. 

The Project Coordinator will report to the Director of Project Management and work as part of the Program Operations Team. This is a great opportunity to support an entrepreneurial team to maximize the impact of a rapidly growing organization.

You can read more about the requirements, competencies, goals, and responsibilities below. We'd love to have you join us!

This is important

We are an equal-opportunity employer. Diversity is more than a commitment at Springboard Collaborative—it’s at the core of what we do and how we do it. No one can solve a problem better than those who experience it firsthand. That’s why Springboard aspires to hire a diverse team that is representative of the marginalized communities we serve.

We also know that having a diverse workforce makes for a better workplace. Springboard’s hiring process seeks individuals who value diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, etc.

Finally, if you’re passionate about an open role, we encourage you to apply— even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications listed in the job description!

Here are your priorities in the first year:

• You will achieve on-time completion of priority projects in your assigned portfolio so that projects accomplish the org-wide value of best-in-class work.
• You will identify, develop, and pilot initiatives that achieve measurable improvements in targeted partner and organizational outcomes.
• You will maintain high stakeholder satisfaction as measured by seasonal surveys.
• You will master tasks and workflows while delivering high-quality project work and communication across departments, fostering positive relationships, and leveraging resources for support.

Here are your responsibilities within and beyond the first year:

You coordinate tasks and projects that facilitate the implementation of Springboard’s product and improve internal operations. 

• Create and implement small-scale operational improvement projects 
• Utilize synchronous and asynchronous communication to drive for on-time completion of project tasks and milestones by all account team members so that there are limited to no delays in service provided to our external customers. 
• Negotiate risk mitigation plans and accurately manage changes to projects and their timelines with appropriate people

• Setup projects and additional discrete tasks for assigned partnerships and ensure tasks are assigned with appropriate due dates

You support Internal account teams with external partners.

• You support partnerships of varying complexity and will work with pilots, customizations, RFPs, and new district engagements.
• Attend and actively participate in external meetings to support program operations as needed
• Understand stakeholder motivations, facilitate conversations about and manage stakeholder expectations of operations and operational timelines
• Collaborate with and advise account team members on sharing operational information with external partner staff
• Create, populate, and maintain partner profiles for all assigned partnerships
• Coordinate system and cross-departmental tasks for all assigned projects through proactive and timely communication

You support SBC's internal team and its initiatives.

• Attend and participate in all internal team and organizational meetings while continuously working to identify information that will help you and the team develop. 
• Collect feedback on your performance and share feedback with others to improve on lessons learned.
• Collaborate with process, tool, and resource owners to improve work processes and flow
• Proactively contribute to various tasks and take on diverse responsibilities to meet evolving organizational needs
  

You manage and find ways to continuously improve upon operational tools and resources.

• Identify and understand how processes, tools, and resources relate to tasks, workflow, and people and recommend improvements or new creations
• Train and enable team members across the org to effectively use tools for successful project execution
• Actively seek feedback and collaborate with colleagues on tool and resource improvements

What you offer us

Here are the competencies and requirements we expect the right candidate to have: 

• Valuing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: You foster collaborative relationships with team members by seeking out diverse perspectives and finding common ground during conflicts. You actively check your views against those of others, enhancing group processes and decision-making. With strong communication skills, you effectively manage differences, ensuring that all team members feel valued and heard.
• Accountability & Dependability: You consistently follow instructions, policies, processes, and procedures while completing tasks on time and with care. You acknowledge and correct mistakes without deflecting blame, addressing issues directly and promptly. You are capable of managing high volumes of complex work and ensuring accuracy without compromise. 
• Communication: You ensure all project participants are informed of developments and plans while keeping your manager updated on progress and issues. You respond promptly to correspondence and facilitate consistent communication as needed. You recognize when the group strays off track and redirect conversations toward productive solutions. You actively listen to team members' ideas, offering support and expressing constructive disagreement by suggesting acceptable alternatives.
• Adaptability & Flexibility: You adapt goals, methods, and approaches to find effective solutions in dynamic situations while quickly recovering from setbacks and identifying alternative paths to achieve targets. You support others in navigating ongoing changes, highlighting the benefits of adaptation. When initial strategies fail, you are willing to switch tactics and demonstrate openness to new organizational structures, procedures, and technologies.
• Creative & Innovative Thinking: You contribute original and resourceful ideas during brainstorming sessions, focusing on desired outcomes rather than just quick fixes. You explore ways to turn ideal concepts into reality and are willing to experiment with new ideas and methodologies. Taking independent action, you identify necessary changes to influence events positively. You frame problems before attempting solutions, breaking them down to uncover all facets, including hidden complexities. After implementation, you evaluate the chosen course of action to assess its effectiveness and impact.
• 3+ years of project coordination experience.
• 2+ years of proven experience in creating, improving, and maintaining tools, resources, and processes, as well as enabling colleagues to use them effectively.
• Demonstrated success in managing and prioritizing multiple projects with simultaneous deadlines, consistently delivering high-quality outcomes.
• Intermediate knowledge of project management software, with experience in applying tools effectively in real-world scenarios (i.e. Asana, Trello, Airtable).
• Familiarity with project management methodologies (i.e. Waterfall or Agile frameworks).

It would also be nice if you had:

• Experience working in a remote setting.
• Experience working in school, non-profit, or educational environments.

While this description is meant to provide an overview of the responsibilities of the Associate Project Coordinator we are seeking candidates who demonstrate flexibility and can adapt to evolving needs in an entrepreneurial environment.

What we offer you

Compensation
Our compensation values: At Springboard, compensation equity is integral to the way we operate and our commitment to competitiveness, pay equity, performance-based rewards, transparent & equitable career growth, and progressive benefits.

Compensation for this role: Each role at Springboard is placed in a compensation band with 5 levels. Generally, we expect all candidates who meet the hiring criteria to be offered the midpoint of the band. This role sits within Band 3. The midpoint of this band is $82,183.14. The actual level of the successful candidate (and corresponding salary) will be based on compensable factors such as job-relevant education, job-relevant experience, training, licensure, demonstrated competencies, and other factors. You may also be eligible for Springboard's collective bonus program.

Our process to determine compensation: Springboard does not negotiate the offered salary during the offer conversation. Throughout the interview process, we will evaluate your alignment with the compensable factors listed in the job description. From there, we will determine your starting salary on a level within the job band.

At Springboard, we feel it is important to take care of our employees, which is why we offer a competitive benefits package. These benefits include the following:

• The usual stuff - Medical insurance with a cash stipend for those who waive Springboard coverage. Options include PPO, High Deductible/HSA, and EPO.
• We’ll take care of it - We fully cover your vision & dental insurance premiums, plus your short & long-term disability coverage.
• Securing your future - We match up to 6% of your salary in 403(b) retirement contributions after your first twelve months at Springboard.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) is important - Four weeks (20 days) annually. At Springboard, time off isn’t earned. Everyone gets access to their time at the start of the calendar year.
• Holidays! - All 11 federal holidays, two extra floating holidays, weekdays between Christmas and New Year’s Day, Election Day, and your birthday!
• Under the weather? - We don’t cap the number of sick days available to employees.
• Paid Leave - Parental Leave (12 weeks after the first 6 months of employment). Marriage Leave (five days). 
• Technology - All employees receive a Springboard laptop.
• Your wellness is a priority - Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides support for stress/anxiety, finance, law, family, substance abuse, grief, and more. 
• Transparency is key - We ensure regular opportunities to discuss individual and organizational development and our commitment to equity. Consistent, structured, and real-time feedback is foundational to Springboard’s culture.

Location and travel

Applications are welcome from any location within the United States, with a strong preference for candidates in the Midwest (MI, IL, IN, WI). This role is mostly remote, with the possibility of up to 20% travel throughout the year to provide programmatic support to school partners. Additionally, there will be quarterly travel to participate in team and org-wide retreats. Springboard Collaborative’s headquarters office is in Philadelphia, PA.

Springboard requires in-person employees at a Springboard facility or participating in in-person SBC programming or events to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a medical or religious exemption is approved. Being fully vaccinated means an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of a CDC-authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees will be asked to provide their COVID-19 vaccination status and proof of vaccination, as required.

About Springboard

Since our founding in 2012, we have grown Springboard’s reach from 40 to nearly 20,000 students across 51 cities. Amidst rapid growth, Springboard consistently delivers best-in-class results. In schools that often struggle to get 20% of parents to show up for report card conferences, Springboard’s weekly family workshops average 88% attendance. Students average a 3-4-month reading gain during each program cycle, closing the gap to grade-level performance by about half in just five or ten weeks. Springboard’s work has been featured by Forbes, NPR, and the New York Times (twice). Nationally, Springboard Collaborative is the only organization to have cracked the code on equipping marginalized families to teach reading at home. You can learn more by watching our CEO on the main stage of ASU GSV.

Our org chart & mission

Click here to view Springboard’s structure at a glance, and here to browse our incredible staff. You can read more about how we engage teachers and families to accelerate student learning in this op-ed.