HOPE Resource Center Assistant Director of Operations (Project Manager II)

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.

Position Summary The Assistant Director of Operations will lead the design, buildout, and continuous improvement of the operational systems that allow the HOPE Resource Center (HRC) to function as South Carolina Department of Education's (SCDE’s) single front door for district-facing support. This is a leadership role responsible for envisioning and standing up the workflows, tools, data infrastructure, and internal processes the HRC needs to operate at scale, and for directing the day-to-day work that keeps those systems running.

The Assistant

Director reports to the Executive Director of the HOPE Resource Center and works in close coordination with SCDE leadership, office liaisons, contractors, communications staff, and HRC team members.

Purpose of the Position The Executive Director’s focus is strategic leadership, district engagement, and statewide implementation. This position owns the operational architecture underneath that strategy, building durable, scalable, and accountable systems so that Tier 1 through Tier 4 district services are delivered consistently and improve over time. By leading the buildout of workflows, reporting infrastructure, contractor coordination, case management processes, and communication routines, the Assistant Director of Operations ensures that districts receive timely, consistent, and accountable support while allowing HRC leadership to focus on strategy, relationship-building, and high-priority district needs.

Primary Responsibilities

• Operational Systems Design and Management

Lead the design and management of the HRC’s core operational infrastructure: project management systems, startup workflows, deliverable tracking, timeline management, and status reporting. Identify risks, coordination gaps, and duplicative efforts and resolve or escalate them. Own the operational cadence, ensuring that routines, tools, and documentation stay current and aligned to HRC priorities.

• Intake, Case Management, and Service Delivery Systems

Design and implement the intake and case management system for district support requests, from submission through assignment, tracking, and closure. Analyze case data, recurring needs, response timelines, and resolution trends to strengthen the service model and inform resource development.

• Tiered Support Operations

Direct the operational implementation of the HRC’s tiered service model. Build and maintain the documentation, workflows, and reporting structures for each tier, including early warning systems and needs assessment tools (Tier 3), case management processes (Tier 2), and the organization and publication of universal resources such as toolkits, guidance documents, and professional learning calendars (Tier 1).

• Monitoring, Data, and Reporting

Build and maintain the data collection and reporting infrastructure for HRC implementation, district support activity, and service trends. Lead weekly, monthly, and quarterly review routines. Prepare reports, dashboards, and briefing materials for the Executive Director and SCDE executive leadership. Identify patterns in district needs and recommend when recurring requests should become universal Tier 1 resources.

• Contractor and Vendor Coordination

Manage documentation, deliverable tracking, and reporting expectations for HRC contractors. Monitor implementation milestones and ensure alignment between contractor work, HRC priorities, and district support needs. Flag operational barriers that require leadership attention.

• Communications Infrastructure

Direct implementation of the HRC communication plan, coordinating timelines and content for district-facing updates, newsletters, website content, monthly calls, and superintendent communications. Ensure the HRC website, service catalog, and resource library are accurate, current, and well-organized in coordination with SCDE communications staff and content owners.

• Continuous Improvement

Lead post-cycle reviews and continuous improvement routines. Identify opportunities to strengthen workflows, reduce duplication, improve routing, and clarify cross-office roles. Recommend refinements to HRC tools, templates, protocols, and reporting structures based on implementation data and stakeholder feedback. This position is located in the Division of College, Career, and Military Readiness.

Minimum And Additional Requirements A bachelor's degree and experience managing large projects of moderate complexity and risk.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s preferred in education, public administration, organizational leadership, project management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience building and managing operational systems in a complex organization, ideally in education, public agency administration, or a technical assistance environment.
• Strong skills in project management, data analysis, cross-functional coordination, and clear written and verbal communication.
• Experience with project management platforms, Microsoft 365 tools, and reporting systems preferred.
• Familiarity with education systems, district operations, or state agency processes preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Ability to envision, design, and implement operational systems from the ground up.
• Strong judgment about when to build, when to refine, and when to escalate.
• Skill in managing multiple workstreams, timelines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Ability to translate strategic priorities into concrete operational plans.
• Comfort working independently while keeping leadership informed of progress, barriers, and decision points.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive district, personnel, budget, and operational information.
• Commitment to building responsive, accountable systems that serve districts well.

Additional Comments 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.

ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS CHOSEN FOR AN INTERVIEW WILL BE NOTIFIED BY LETTER THAT THE POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED. http://www.ed.sc.gov/jobs/human-resources/title-ix-nondiscrimination/