Strategic Project Manager

Salary: $79,600.00 - $143,300.00 Annually
Location : Lexington County, SC
Job Type: Time Limited - Full-Time
Job Number: 183113
Agency: Department of Education
Opening Date: 12/09/2025
Closing Date: 12/23/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: AK05
Position Number:: 61159195
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN12
Hiring Range - Min.: $69,000.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $104,000.00
Opening Date: 12/09/2025
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: Interested persons must complete a State Employment Application at www.careers.sc.gov. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The South Carolina Department of Education does not accept faxed, mailed, or hand delivered applications.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Job Responsibilities

The mission of the South Carolina Department of Education is to serve students, support teachers, empower parents, and engage the community so that every student graduates prepared to reach their full potential.

Job Purpose:
The South Carolina Department of Education is seeking an accomplished Project Manager to oversee the implementation of the Agency's transformation initiatives. This role is crucial in ensuring projects align with Agency objectives and are delivered successfully. The ideal candidate will have experience in project management, requirement gathering, organizational transformation, and change management.

Responsibilities:

• Spearhead Strategic Project Planning: Lead the development of comprehensive project plans that encompass scope, risk, quality, cost, change management, communications, procurement, work breakdown structures, and scheduling to drive organizational success.
• Forge Collaborative Partnerships with Project Sponsors: Engage proactively with project sponsors to co-create project charters, define ambitious goals, and set strategic priorities that align with the organization's vision.
• Champion Proactive Risk Management: Lead risk assessments and mitigation strategies with a balanced, business-priority-driven approach, ensuring project resilience and adaptability.
• Lead Transformational Change Initiatives: Assume leadership roles in change management processes, guiding teams through transitions that enhance organizational effectiveness and innovation.
• Ensure Excellence in Project Documentation: Oversee the creation and maintenance of critical project documentation throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Implement Strategic Communication Frameworks: Develop and execute comprehensive communication plans to facilitate effective internal and external stakeholder engagement, fostering a culture of openness and collaboration.
• Define and Drive Project Scope and Requirements: Conduct in-depth analyses to establish clear project scopes and requirements, identifying essential resources and skill sets to achieve strategic objectives.
• Coordinate and Advocate for Strategic Changes: Manage and recommend modifications to project specifications in collaboration with sponsors, teams, and stakeholders, ensuring alignment with evolving organizational goals.
• Stay at the Forefront of Project Management Excellence: Continuously enhance project management expertise by engaging in self-study, reviewing professional journals, and participating in industry forums to integrate best practices.
• Drive Continuous Process Improvement: Lead initiatives focused on refining delivery methodologies and related processes, contributing to the organization's agility and competitive edge.

This position is located in the Division of Agency Operations.
Minimum and Additional Requirements
A bachelor's degree and experience managing large projects of moderate complexity and risk.
Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (Business Administration, Engineering, Computer Science, etc.).
• Three plus (3+) years of experience in project management with proficiency in technology.
• Proficient in planning, organizing, and managing strategic and tactical assignments and project management activities associated with state-wide enterprise and agency level information technology initiatives.
• Expertise in managing the planning, execution, and successful delivery of numerous concurrent projects, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and fostering transformative outcomes.
• Experience in delivering insightful and timely project performance reporting, enabling data-driven decision-making and proactive strategy adjustments to drive success.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies. Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• Ability to combine deep business knowledge with management skills to inspire teams, cultivate a collaborative culture, and achieve strategic goals.

Additional Comments
ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS CHOSEN FOR AN INTERVIEW WILL BE NOTIFIED BY LETTER THAT THE POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED.
As a part of a generous compensation package, we offer comprehensive benefits that include generous paid time off, preeminent health care benefits, professional development opportunities, pension, a 401(k), and a hybrid work schedule with opportunity for remote work.

The South Carolina Department of Education offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year.
• 15 days sick leave per year.
• 13 paid holidays.
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs

Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted or reviewed in lieu of the application. I have read and acknowledge the above statement.

• Yes
• No

02

I understand that a criminal record investigation will be conducted prior to employment being offered by the South Carolina Department of Education. My personal identifying information will be processed through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have bachelor's degree and experience managing large projects of moderate complexity and risk?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have a bachelor's degree in business administration, engineering, computer science, or a relevant field?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have three plus (3+) years of experience in project management with proficiency in technology?

• Yes
• No

06

Are you proficient in planning, organizing, and managing strategic and tactical assignments and project management activities associated with state-wide enterprise and agency level information technology Initiatives?

• Yes
• No

07

How did you hear about this position?

• Careers.sc.gov
• Indeed.com
• LinkedIn
• Other (Please specify below)

08

If you answered "other" in the question above, please specify where you heard about this position below.
Required Question

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