Overview
Background:
Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, governance and post-crisis stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.
Position Summary:
Creative seeks a Project Director (PD) for the Education for Development Division with a passion for development, commitment to results and offers intellectual curiosity in designing effective solutions. The PD responsibilities include both project management and new business development leadership. The PD will be responsible for performing complex work within the project area. Project Directors assume responsibilities for management of projects typically of $20M+ in funding, depending upon variables such as the complexity, projected timeline of the projects, and geographic location of the work. The PD is responsible for technical, financial, compliance and accountability for the performance of assigned projects. The PD supervises project HQ support staff and field staff to ensure quality programming, and achievement of financial targets and contractual outcomes. The PD will also carry responsibility for leading and participating in new business development initiatives for the division, further described below. Business development involvement is estimated up to 50 percent of functional responsibilities. The PD is expected to travel internationally to perform many of the functions of the role for both project and new business development support.
Reporting & Supervision:
PDs report to a Senior Project Director or Practice Area Director. PDs supervise other project field-based staff and HQ support staff.
NOTE: Different projects require different levels of project management leadership skills based on their strategic importance, project profile and complexity, specificity, scope, and geographic location. Creative formally sanctions, and reserves the right to modify, the skill and position level(s) needed for each project.
Responsibilities
Expected Outcomes:
Leadership
Projects under PD oversight receive guidance and management support. PD's manage projects purposely, cohesively and efficiently. Project aims are clear on the strategic (outcome level—technical), tactical (output level—managerial and financial) and operational (milestone-level transactions) fronts. Challenges and potential implementation issues are preemptively identified and proactively addressed. The client is being effectively served and is satisfied with Creative's service and offerings. Senior Management is kept abreast of significant threats, implementation deficiencies and opportunities.
Project Management
Projects under PD oversight perform well–they meet contractual obligations, and fiscal targets. Projects are well-planned so that inputs—such as human resource deployments, STTA, procurements—can be timely and effectively supported by HQ. Project staffing, project obligations, and reporting meet anticipated levels and high-quality standards.
Financial Management
Projects under PD oversight meet performance targets and revenue projections. PDs proactively manage vacancies, non-billables, and foregone revenue. Projects requiring important course corrections or corporate support receive the attention of upper management.
Staff Management**
Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, and other staff under PD oversight are tangibly supported technically, managerially and professionally; their professional objectives and personal needs are well understood, as are those of key staff in the field. Performance reviews of are meaningful and constructive and are administered timely. Projects honor all aspects of programmatic and fiscal compliance.
New Business Development
Project Directors demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit and growth mindset for their project portfolios and beyond; they are able to create, nurture, and seize new business opportunities in the local and / or regional marketplace for additional program funding or new program funding, and position the company for new business opportunities. The PD ensures the company is visibly and well represented before stakeholders, contributing to building and maintaining esteem. Specifically, this entails identifying new business leads and / or contributing to well thought out planning for the business pipeline, leading or contributing to capture efforts (virtually or in the country of focus), leading or contributing to proposal design and writing, serving as a subject matter expert, and/or acting as technical lead.
Learning & Adaptation
Projects under PD supervision have a heightened awareness of the value of learning and adaptation. Projects have explicitly defined learning agendas, M&E plans that track progress towards learning, and course corrections that are informed by data. Project interventions and innovations are well documented and catalogued. Pause-and-Reflect events capture salient programmatic aspects with potential for replication or scale up. Salient activities are celebrated and promoted through Creative's Communications Department.
Primary Responsibilities:
Project Leadership
New Business Development
Minimum Skills & Qualifications:
NOTE: Your job title is based on the role you perform and you must meet the minimum qualifications for that job title. Greater (higher) education and experience than minimum qualifications do not automatically classify you into a higher-level job title/position.
Completion of Trainings:
Languages:
PI147795118
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