Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing charter public schools that are closing the academic achievement gap and preparing students from historically underserved communities for success in college and beyond. Uncommon currently manages 55 schools serving more than 20,000 students in six cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, Rochester, and Troy. Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at rates far higher than their peers. We believe that every child deserves an outstanding education, and we are committed to working beyond the walls of our schools to achieve that goal through our professional development workshops, books, and district partnerships. 

Role Overview

Uncommon’s Data & IT (D&IT) team is undergoing an exciting transformation to improve technology operations and systems! We are seeking a skilled Agile Project Manager (PM) with experience in building, motivating, and supporting Agile practices. Additional responsibilities include leading teams in planning and execution of strategic projects using Agile methodologies and supervising project management governance and compliance! This role will act as a domain specialist for our Agile transformation.

Core Duties & Responsibilities

Project Planning and Management

Define scope and schedule while focusing on regular and timely delivery of value; organize, lead, and facilitate Agile events; prepare and distribute partner communications; handle risks and issues; and perform delivery planning for assigned projects

Team Development

Assist in team development while holding teams accountable for their commitments, removing roadblocks to their work; using organizational resources to improve capacity for project work; mentoring and developing team members; and encouraging a sustainable pace with high-levels of quality for the team

Product Owner Support

Support the Product Owner in managing expectations for project results, leading communications, and helping to implement an effective system of project governance

Process Management and Improvement

Define and lead a well-defined project management process and champion ongoing process improvement initiatives to implement standard methodologies for Agile PM.

Required Skills & Abilities

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• Ability to lead the expansion of agile methodology and project management principles within D&IT and adjacent teams and/or functions. Applies skills and agile management knowledge both internally and with external business partners
• Mentorship skills for teams to use Agile practices and principles to deliver high quality products and services to our partners
• Practical knowledge of Scrum and Kanban
• Team development skills to guide agile teams to a robust level
• Experience facilitating and supporting all agile events: Planning, Daily Meetings, Reviews, and Retrospectives.
• Experience reviewing story analysis to resolve conditions of satisfaction and the impact to other systems, projects, domains, and operational teams have been outlined. Has led the evolution of the User Story and other backlog items (includes but not limited to breaking down the stories, eliciting conversations, facilitating story refinement sessions)
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate, mitigate, and resolve risks and varying perspectives across workgroups
• Proven track record of diagnosing issues, identifying root causes, and implementing solutions to increase the effectiveness of Agile practices in D&IT and throughout the organization
• Maturity, flexibility, comfort with ambiguity and a sense of optimism especially in the face of opposing demands and external pressures
• Strong organizational systems for both self and others to ensure accountability for timely, high-quality outcomes
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a diverse set of audiences
• Change management skills, and ability to manage up and across and influence partners without direct authority to make change
• Experience balancing detailed thinking with big picture strategic decisions proven through the ability to break down sophisticated projects into key achievements and concrete action steps
• Experience providing documentation/visibility into key aspects of projects (e.g. progress, achievements, etc.) for senior leadership and other partners
• Action-orientation with excellent follow-through skills
• Works well independently and in teams in a fast- paced, multifaceted environment
• Comfort with collaboration, open communication and reaching across functional borders

Preferred Skills & Abilities

• Experience with Monday.com, Asana, and other agile project management systems

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience required (Computer Science, Information Systems, Business, or equivalent subject preferred)
• Scrum Master, PMI-ACP, SAFe Scrum Master, or similar certification required

Experience Requirement

• 3+ years of experience managing agile development efforts, including tracking and planning projects
• 5+ years of experience working with business partners within a cross-functional matrix environment of similar size and complexity
• 2+ years of experience with full product lifecycle with understanding of development lifecycle and various technology methodologies that support that lifecycle
• Previous experience in non-profit or education preferred

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Working on a computer involving video and audio

Uncommon Schools offers salaries commensurate with experience and a very generous benefits and vacation package. All staff members receive extensive professional development, and are equipped with a laptop computer and all necessary supplies.

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. At the same time, we work to ensure an inclusive community through creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students.  As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.