Senior Project Manager

Job Description

Company Overview: Age of Learning is a leading education technology innovator based in Glendale, California, with a talented team of more than 600 individuals comprised of nationally-renowned educators, curriculum experts, developers, artists, writers, designers, engineers, producers, product managers, analysts and marketing experts! Together we develop engaging, effective digital learning technology and content to help children build a strong academic foundation for lifelong success. Our flagship product ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy ® is a comprehensive online curriculum and the #1 digital learning product for young children. To-date, more than 30 million children worldwide have completed over 8 billion Learning Activities on ABCmouse. We recently launched Adventure Academy, the first massively multiplayer online (MMO) game designed specifically to help elementary- and middle-school-aged children learn. It features thousands of engaging Learning Activities—including minigames, books, original animated and live action series, and more—in a fun and safe virtual world. Other Age of Learning programs include immersive English language learning products for children in China and Japan; ReadingIQ, a digital library and literacy platform; and a groundbreaking personalized, adaptive digital learning system that individualizes math instruction for every child through AI-driven technology. We are committed to helping all children succeed. We provide our educational programs at no cost to teachers, Head Start programs, public libraries, and other community organizations, and have served millions of children through these initiatives. We recently established the Age of Learning Foundation to expand this work globally. As we expand our global reach and increase the educational impact of our programs, we’re looking for passionate, ambitious, and collaborative leaders to become a part of our growing team. Summary: Age of Learning’s Brand team is looking for a seasoned Project Manager to traffic requests coming into the Creative Services Team, set prioritizations, allocate resources, and shepherd projects through to fulfillment. This is a key player on the team who will liaise with stakeholders across the organization, providing exceptional customer service and expertly delivering on a wide variety of creative needs. The Project Manager will work closely with all members of the Creative Services Team including designers, copywriters, art directors, and a variety of external vendors, managing their workloads and ensuring they have the information and tools needed to perform their job functions. The Project Manager is responsible for tracking and managing Service Level Agreements for the department, as well as budgets, expenses, inventory, and vendor management. This individual will work in close partnership with the Sr. Creative Director of Creative Services and will manage one junior Project Manager. The ideal candidate will have a strong creative sensibility, with a finely honed eye for good creative (though this role does not generate creative materials). The candidate will serve as a brand steward, upholding our brand standards across all creative executions. It will be vitally important for the candidate to be comfortable in the context of constant innovation, striving for the highest standards, work well under pressure with the utmost professionalism and ability to simplify the complex. This position reports to the Sr. Creative Director, Creative Services.

Responsibilities:

• Manage and traffic all incoming Creative Services requests; setting prioritization, ensuring proper allocation of time, resources, and ensuring delivery deadlines are met by working with all departments and outside vendors
• Create and maintain up-to-date project plans for all projects of varying scope from inception to completion using the latest project management tools and best practices.
• Establish and track department and project budgets; manage expense processes; review and approve invoices from vendors through Docuphase.
• Facilitate daily stand-up meetings with the Creative Services Department to ensure all team members and projects are on track utilizing Agile methodologies and Kanban board in Smartsheet.
• Serve as a Brand Steward, including leading quarterly Brand Training for new hires, maintaining presentation currently, and presenting the material.
• Plan, manage and facilitate events for the company’s presence at events, trade shows, and conventions.
• Communicate with department staff and all areas involved, and act as liaison (internal teams, management, vendors, production) on job status, changes needed, cost implications, and provide alternative options.
• Oversee merchandise inventory tracking system with vendors, track for the Finance department
• Direct teams on differentiating incoming requests to most efficiently utilize inside and outside resources, direct Copy Proofers, Writers, and Editors with assignments and priorities
• Reviewing invoices and comparing to purchase orders
• Translate and filter feedback from other departments into notes for design
• Other requests as needed

Qualifications:

• 5+ years’ experience in project management, production, account management, or equivalent experience, preferably in a creative department.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously from start to finish, including project discovery and planning, building and managing a workback schedule.
• Demonstrated ability to consistently meet service level agreements for all projects.
• Optimize internal workflows. Reduce time to complete production tasks. (Request and intake process, unblocking blockers, communication across team and org).
• Event planning and production.
• Strategic thinker with inherent ability to simplify complex things and to lead through influence.
• Fluent in Excel and Smartsheet.
• Proficiency in Agile methodologies and Kanban boards preferred.
• Excellent communicator with effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate with various levels of management, both internal and external.
• Exceptional customer service orientation and behaviors.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and extremely high standards of quality.
• Experience in K–6 education or EdTech preferred but not required.

Age of Learning currently provides: • 90% - 100% of health and welfare benefit premiums • A 401(k) program with employer match • 15 paid vacation days, 11 observed national paid holidays plus 9 sick days • Our flexible work culture means 2 or more days in the office (hybrid) or 100% fully remote options available for most positions • Team bonding events and a highly collaborative environment • Access to our internal DEI Task Force that focuses on ensuring our products represent all children on a global scale • Opportunities for professional growth through professional learning and development programs • Commitment to Equal Opportunity Employment in addition to an inclusive and supportive company culture Apply for this job