Project Operations Manager (Hybrid)

Company Description

At Lakeshore, we create innovative learning materials and world-class guest experiences for teachers, parents and children. Since 1954, we’ve grown into a global community—with a thriving e-commerce business, multiple catalogs, 60+ retail stores, a peerless national sales force, plus international offices that support our preeminent supply chain division. But today we’re working better, smarter and faster than ever—and setting our sights even higher. We’re building an infrastructure designed for scalability, embracing data-driven decision-making and using technology to improve efficiency and ensure the best tools for the best work. Most importantly, we continue to invest in a diverse team of inquisitive top talent who fuel each other’s passions and curiosity, take risks, try new things, and believe that every new day brings opportunities for growth.

Job Description

In a time of unprecedented expansion, we are seeking a Project Operations Manager to join our team. In this role, you will provide project leadership to associates as well as insights to business customers. The position requires overseeing complex projects, such as those with significant value or that involve three or more departments—where you will act as a liaison between our Product Services and cross-functional teams. Applicants should have prior project management experience. The ideal candidate can take rough ideas and turn them into a roadmap of features, experiments and research with minimal guidance. 

A day in the office looks like this: 

• Collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, Business Development and Events teams to ensure seamless project execution; foster effective communication and coordination among team members to meet project objectives 
• Manage project deliverables across multiple work streams and independently prioritize as appropriate 
• Lead the end-to-end project management from planning and strategy development to execution and post-launch evaluation 
• Utilize project management tools to plan, track progress and manage resources effectively 
• Develop and maintain a detailed project timeline, identifying key milestones and dependencies 
• Communicate project status, updates and issues to senior management and stakeholders 
• Proactively identify risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure projects stay on track 
• Implement best practices and drive initiatives to optimize project management processes between cross-functional partners 
• Coordinate with Product Services Director to prioritize team’s workload and identify resources needed to complete assignments 
• Plan, manage and monitor projects from concept through implementation 
• Work with department heads to gather requirements, design process improvements and implement changes to optimize operations performance 
• Analyze current operations processes to identify areas of improvement and implement streamlined workflows that enhance efficiency and productivity 
• Work closely with Product Services Director in developing overall design and managing event experiences by creating layouts for conferences, supporting product lists, propping, conducting walkthroughs onsite and attending conferences and expos 

Qualifications

Got the skills and experience? Here’s what we’re looking for:

• At least four years of experience in a similar position 
• Experience in the methods of architectures, interior design, fixture design and graphic design 
• Deep retail knowledge of industry trends 
• Creative leader who works in a creative yet disciplined way to ensure brand consistency across events 
• Ability to lead teams in a highly collaborative way 
• Demonstration of strong communication and relationship-building skills with experience in collaborating and sharing knowledge between teams 
• Ability to interpret unstructured information into business requirements 
• Proven track record in delivering high-risk projects 
• Experience and skill presenting in front of c-suite/executive-level clients through written and verbal channels 

Additional Information

And here’s our end of the bargain! 

• Salary: $81,000-$90,000 with an annual bonus of up to 15%
• Paid leave for new parents to support work/life balance and family bonding
• Excellent medical/dental and vision coverage—EPO, PPO and HSA
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution (because you will retire someday)
• Flexible benefits—choose what you like, ignore the rest
• On-site preschool for our employees’ children
• On-site employee gym for all levels/fitness needs
• Generous employee discount on products that make you smarter
• Casual dress…and we really mean it

At Lakeshore, we know our diversity makes us stronger, and when everyone feels included and valued, we all win. We strive to embrace our differences and create an intentionally diverse and inclusive community that is representative of the teachers, families and children we serve.

We know we couldn’t do the extraordinary things we’re doing without the people on our team. Thanks to the passion and enthusiasm of this spectacular group, Lakeshore is more than a great place to work—it’s a great experience to be part of. Day in and day out, we give everything we’ve got to create products that instill a sense of wonder and foster a true love of learning. To help maintain this high bar for success, we’re constantly on the lookout for people to join us. So if you’re a down-to-earth professional who shares our desire for making a difference, we’d love to hear from you. 
 
To learn more about Lakeshore, visit www.lakeshorelearning.com/careers 
 
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
People are selected to become members of the Lakeshore family based on skill, merit and mind-boggling talent—not based on race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital status, domestic partnership status, military status, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, alienage, AIDS or AIDS-related complex status, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, status as a victim of domestic violence, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If things aren’t equal, we all lose.

To learn about how we collect and use Applicant information, please visit our Employee/Applicant Privacy Policy. INDRLL11