Project Manager

At Marzano Research, we use engineered simplicity to work tough education challenges. Our awesome people roll up their sleeves and work side by side with educators and system leaders to define and answer questions that solve their pressing problems. We provide tailored and collaborative research, evaluation, consulting, and technical assistance services to create practical solutions and actionable results designed to improve programs and practices that enhance outcomes for all students.

Marzano Research is a women-owned small business and a certified benefit company. We work to make a meaningful, positive impact through the projects we lead and our business practices. Our culture encourages collaboration, creativity, and excellence. We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe our work improves when team members bring different viewpoints, skills, life experiences, and professional paths to the table.

We are seeking Project Managers who have experience with multiple project management frameworks such as Waterfall, Agile, and hybrid and the ability to tailor approaches to projects of varying scope, complexity, and team composition. These positions require project management expertise with a strong focus on customer service and stakeholder engagement. The Project Managers will manage the full project lifecycle from initiation and planning through execution to closure and will serve as a key liaison between Marzano Research, client internal teams, and external stakeholders.

We plan to hire two project managers to work on a client’s strategic plan execution. Each Project Manager will lead structured coordination, facilitation, and communication across multiple projects aligned to one of the following themes:

• Product Development
• Assessment and Standards

We are seeking candidates with experience in working in or supporting K–12 education. Experience and expertise in assessment development cycles, educational measurement principles, and compliance requirements in K–12 assessment is required for the Assessment and Standards Project Manager.

Position Summary

The Project Manager supports and leads structured coordination, facilitation, and communication across multiple projects. In this role, you will establish the structures and tools needed to execute projects effectively, manage change consistently across functions, and align projects with core strategic themes to deliver measurable value and strengthen a culture of collaboration and accountability.

Summary of Essential Job Functions

Project Management, Execution, and Continuous Improvement

• Lead assigned client projects from initiation and planning through execution, monitoring, and closeout
• Drive projects to completion on time, on budget, and within scope
• Develop and manage project charters, schedules, budgets, milestones, and success criteria
• Coordinate cross-functional teams using structured planning and sprint-based workflows
• Track progress, dependencies, and resource allocation using MS Project, Jira, and related tools
• Maintain accurate project documentation, dashboards, and reporting systems
• Contribute to process improvements that strengthen project execution across the organization

Risk, Issue, and Change Management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks; escalate issues as needed
• Maintain risk, issue, and decision logs with clear documentation and follow-through
• Manage scope changes and shifting priorities while protecting project goals and client expectations

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Serve as a point of contact for internal and external stakeholders
• Establish and maintain clear roles, responsibilities, and communication pathways (RACI)
• Lead focused, solution-oriented project meetings with clear agendas and action steps
• Deliver concise monthly status reports highlighting progress, risks, and upcoming milestones

Operational Responsibilities

• Support scope of work development and vendor contract execution
• Ensure contract timelines, deliverables, and acceptance criteria align with project plans
• Attend weekly client PMO team meetings, individual project team meetings, quarterly review boards, and relevant client project-related meetings
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in education, business administration, computer science, information technology, or related field
• Three or more years of demonstrated project management experience, including contributing to or managing projects across the full project lifecycle
• Experience working in or supporting K–12 education, ed-tech, or public sector organizations
• Equivalent combination of experience and/or education may substitute, with a preference for five years of progressive and relevant work experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of project management methodologies (Waterfall, Agile, and hybrid)
• Ability to use strategic thinking, analysis, and problem-solving to translate complex requirements into actionable plans and measurable outcomes
• Skills in stakeholder communication and relationship management, including clear written and verbal communication across diverse teams and clients
• Ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities while maintaining quality, organization, and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently, learn project-specific context quickly, and align project execution to broader organizational strategy
• Skills in using Office 365 suite of tools and project management tools such as Jira, Confluence, and MS Project

Preferred Experience

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
• Assignment Specific Knowledge and Experience: One of the project managers will work on projects specific to assessment and standards. This project manager must have knowledge of assessment development cycles, educational measurement principles, and compliance requirements in K–12 assessment.

Travel and Other Key Requirements

• Minimal travel may be required
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position.
• Must be located in the United States and willing and able to work across time zones from Eastern to Pacific

About our culture

At Marzano Research, we are committed to employee engagement and a thriving workplace culture. We create an environment that supports and encourages:

Learning and growth. We share knowledge and build each other’s capacity; we are reflective, curious, and open to new ideas.

Inclusiveness, adaptiveness, and open-mindedness. We respect multiple perspectives and the experience of our colleagues; we provide thoughtful, constructive feedback.

Passion for the work. We roll up our sleeves and work together toward a common goal; we believe an individual win is a team win; we share responsibility and accountability for doing quality work.

Trusting relationships. We operate with care and empathy; we assume positive intentions; we don’t take ourselves too seriously and like to have fun.

Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401k
• Paid time off
• Volunteer time off
• Work/life balance
• Career development
• Mentorship opportunities

Budgeted Salary Range: Based on the approved project budget, the salary hiring range for this position is $80,000 to $110,000 and is non-negotiable. The final offer within this range will be determined by the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience in relation to the project requirements, while also considering internal compensation alignment and available market information.

IMPORTANT - To be considered for an interview: Submit both a cover letter and a resume demonstrating your interest, experience, and qualifications for the position.

Work Location: Marzano Research is a remote company, and all employees work remotely from various locations. The majority of staff are based in the Denver, CO and Portland, OR metropolitan areas, and we will be prioritizing applicants from Mountain and Pacific time zones.

Marzano Research is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Disclaimer: The job description statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Pay: $80,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Experience working in or supporting K–12 education, ed-tech, or public sector organizations?
• Equivalent combination of experience and/or education may substitute, with a preference for five years of progressive and relevant work experience?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• demonstrated project management: 3 years (Preferred)

Work Location: Remote