Senior Project Director, CIT - HYBRID

Senior Project Director, CIT - HYBRID

ID: 2024-3606

# of Openings: 1

Job Locations: US-MD-Chevy Chase

Category: Program Management

Overview

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, global development company that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions, and stabilization. Based in Chevy Chase, MD (metro Washington, D.C. area), Creative has programs in more than 30 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Founded in 1977, Creative is a minority-owned, mission-driven organization that has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

We value diversity - in backgrounds and in experiences. We are deliberate and self-reflective about the kind of team and culture that we are building, seeking staff that are not only strong in their own aptitudes but care deeply about supporting each other's growth. Our success depends on all our employees' points of view, and the principle that inclusion is everyone's responsibility.

Position Summary: Creative seeks a Senior Project Director (SPD) for the Communities in Transition Division. The SPD will be responsible for performing specialized and complex work within the project area and may coach or mentor others while overseeing various team project implementation efforts. Senior Project Directors assume responsibilities for management of complex projects typically of $35M+ in funding, depending upon variables such as the complexity, projected timeline of the projects, and geographic location of the work. The SPD has a key role in the technical, financial, compliance and accountability for the performance of assigned projects. The SPD supervises Project Directors and other project management staff to ensure quality programming, and achievement of financial targets and contractual outcomes. The SPD travels internationally to perform many of the responsibilities of the role and serves as a lead in new business initiatives within the assigned portfolio or geography.

Responsibilities

• Oversees assigned project management staff;
• Ensures that Projects under SPD oversight achieve contractual deliverables with technical distinction, meet fiscal targets, are well planned and resourced;
• Communicates regularly with client representatives, i.e. CORs and AORs; USAID/OTI Deputy Team Leads and Team Leads as relevant;
• Represents Creative for project and other industry functions;
• Tracks all aspects of project performance; oversees project implementation of approved activities, monitoring of timelines, tracking budgets, and supporting subcontract performance and financial management;
• Resolves issues in project start-up and close-down; manages project backstopping, key field personnel support, consultant agreements; processing of project finance transactions, approval and handling of all travel and related logistics, and grant management implementation;
• Oversees compliance of project-related documentation including work plans, staff records, communications, and transactions ensuring they are properly documented;
• Leads pertinent new business development endeavors; contributes to proposal preparation in technical/geographic areas closely connected to projects in the portfolio;
• Communicates with senior management on matters of importance, including risks and opportunities;
• Oversees the production of project reports, and other material such as success stories, interventions and innovations;
• Participates in project learning and data driven adaptation;
• Directly manages and ensures the project's timely development of quality written and media knowledge and communications products and knowledge-share events according to project KM plans;
• Serves as a liaison with Creative's support units, including HR, Finance & Contracts, Procurement, Field Operations, Communications, etc.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field and fifteen years of relevant experience or Master's degree in relevant field and twelve years of relevant experience.
• Advanced proficiency in French is required.
• Proven experience managing client relationships with USAID and USAID/OTI.
• Field experience implementing projects at an operational level.
• Minimum of five years of supervisory experience; preferably on USAID funded projects.
• Demonstrated ability to assume responsibilities for projects typically totaling $35M+ in funding.
• Extensive knowledge within their project area and experience in coaching or mentoring others in project implementation.
• Experience in working with field staff, providing technical and financial oversight on projects to include budget realignments.
• Demonstrated experience in reviewing & approving grants, project procurements, and purchase order agreements.
• Strategic thinker and decisive evidence-based decision-making skills.
• Experience in a relevant technical area such as peacebuilding, conflict mitigation, preventing/countering violent extremism, resilience, etc.
• Experience in quickly producing results on a range of assignments in diverse country and programmatic contexts; in developing/monitoring proposal and project budgets.
• Experience in leading project start-ups and close-downs.
• Skill in managing teams, handling tight deadlines; ability to travel internationally on short notice.
• Extensive skill and experience in U.S. government donor relations and client management.
• Considerable knowledge of USAID Programs and Regulations and OTI models.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to include experience in making formal presentations to clients, peers and other groups.
• Business Development experience (prior experience with Proposal Management, Championing or Writing USAID proposals).

EEOC Statement: Creative is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices.

Accessibility Notice: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision: Creative will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.