Director of K–12 Educational Systems and Projects

Location: Buffalo, NY.

Full-time, hybrid. Two to three days per week in our Buffalo office. Periodic travel to partners and clients, with occasional travel for conferences and company events.About UsAt PLS 3rd Learning, we believe that the life prospects of children are profoundly shaped by the educational leaders who serve them. For more than forty years, we have partnered with school districts, associations, and higher education institutions to develop and elevate educational leadership through professional development, instructional design, and custom software. PLS Education Partners brings together strategy, technology, and deep education experience to help state agencies deliver on their mission — from policy design to the systems that carry it out. We're a small, collaborative team that values thoughtful work, real relationships with our partners, and the chance to see our impact reach classrooms statewide.About the RolePLS Education Partners is seeking a Director of K–12 Educational Systems and Projects to lead large-scale education technology initiatives from the first conversations with state education agencies and other client partners through successful development and launch. This role sits at the intersection of K–12 education, education technology, product requirements, project and program management, client partnership, and business development.Defining requirements. Draw clear product and platform requirements from educators, administrators, and other non-technical stakeholders, including requirements established by policy, statute, and regulation.Leading delivery. Translate client needs for developers, designers, and quality-assurance specialists, then guide complex projects through development so the finished work meets the agency’s goals.Growing the business. Strengthen client partnerships and help extend our work to state education agencies across the country through opportunity development, proposals, and RFP responses.The ideal candidate is self-directed, has excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, and is comfortable managing several projects at once. The Director reports to the President of PLS Education Partners and works closely with the project development and realization team. Key ResponsibilitiesRequirements Definition & Client PartnershipServe as the primary point of contact for client agencies and partners throughout key project lifecycles.Engage with state officials, educators, and administrators to define needs, goals, and measures of success.Lead requirements gathering — document what each platform must do, for whom, and under what constraints.Translate statutory and regulatory requirements into clear project specifications and compliance criteria.Facilitate working sessions, planning meetings, and presentations with professionalism and diplomacy. Project Delivery & Development Team PartnershipCommunicate client requirements to the project development team clearly and stay engaged throughout the project’s lifecycle. Serve as a point of contact for developers, designers, and QA as questions of intent or scope arise from and with client agencies.Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, and budgets. Manage resources to deliver on scope and schedule.Track milestones, identify risks, and realign schedules and expectations as needed.Prepare status reports and coordinate across internal teams and external partners.Growth & Business DevelopmentHelp extend our work to state education agencies across the country, beyond the states we serve today.Work with the divisional president to build and maintain a pipeline of new engagements.Help shape the division’s capabilities into a clearly scoped, priced, and referenceable offering that new agencies can understand and purchase.Assist with proposal and RFP responses.Platform Innovation & AIWork alongside educators, developers, designers, and QA specialists to develop uses and applications for AI.Track state and federal guidance on AI in K–12 education, and hold our AI features to clear standards for accuracy and human oversight.Team LeadershipWork collaboratively, and in a leadership role, with the broader project development team.Help build team cohesion through shared practices and organizational culture.Who We're Looking ForAbility to draw requirements out of non-technical stakeholders and convey them precisely to a technical team, and to hold both sides to the same understanding of what is being built.Proven record of managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects and leading teams, including other managers.Familiarity with AI and its applications in education, including the ability to evaluate tools critically and apply them productively.Comfort with scoping, pricing, and proposal work, and the judgment to know when to pursue new opportunities.Excellent organizational and time management skills. Able to manage multiple workstreams and meet deadlines.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and creatively.Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills for diverse audiences, both virtual and in person.Education and ExperienceFive or more years in project development or program management required – with preference for work specifically in K–12 as a teacher, coach, curriculum developer, administrator, or similar role. Other professional experience, though, will be strongly considered.Advanced degree (Master’s, doctorate, or post-baccalaureate certification) in Education, Educational Leadership, Public Policy, or a related field preferred.Experience contributing to proposals, RFP responses, or new business development preferred.Compensation and BenefitsSalary: [$100,000 to $130,000], commensurate with experience.

Benefits

Comprehensive health benefits, 401K matching retirement plan, and generous paid time off.Essential Functions and AccommodationsThe essential functions of this position are communicating with clients, partners, and team members by phone, video, email, and in person; using computer-based tools to manage projects and coordinate team activity; and traveling periodically to partner and client sites. These functions may be modified to reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities. Candidates are welcome to share any accommodations needed during the application or interview process.Equal Employment OpportunityPLS 3rd Learning is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, national origin, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, military or veteran status, marital status, familial status, status as a victim of domestic violence, arrest or conviction record, or any other characteristic protected by law.PLS 3rd Learning uses E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.How to ApplyInterested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter, current resume, and three professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We look forward to learning about your interest in supporting educational leaders through this important work.