Assistant Director (Program Manager II) - 61166468

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

Reporting to and in support of the Director of the Office of Education Choice and Family Engagement, the Assistant Director helps lead an Office with statewide responsibility for the Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) program, the charter school program, and the Family Engagement Framework. Working under the Director's direction, the Assistant Director advances the Office's programs, guides the team that delivers them, and strengthens the services provided to South Carolina students, families, schools, and districts. The role combines program leadership, team development, and operational management, and offers meaningful opportunity to shape how the Office delivers its work and grows the staff who carry it forward.

Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Director and in support of the Director's priorities for the Office, the Assistant Director is responsible for the following:

• Lead program Operations and Project Management: Lead the operating cadence of the Office, including status meetings, quarterly goals, project management entries, and tracking on Director-level commitments; sequence workstreams, set milestones, and translate Statutory and policy requirements into standard operating procedures and documented workflows across program areas.

• Oversee ESTF program Implementation: Supervise the program manager and staff responsible for ESTF eligibility, enrollment, deactivation, and suspension processes, including the assessment reporting tool and districts dashboard; direct the Office's response to the Legislative Audit Council audit, including data aggregation, methodology documentation, and quality assurance, stepping in directly on critical deliverables when needed; ensure the Office is responsive to participating schools, families, and internal SCDE data and finance partners.

• Oversee Charter School program Implementation: Supervise the program manager and staff responsible for day-to-day charter authorizing and oversight, including authorizer applications, annual reporting, financial transparency verification, ethics and FOIA compliance, and the transfer process framework; hold accountability for the operational closeout of the LCA authorizer transition, contributing directly to the work as circumstances require; support Charter Office recruiting and role clarity as the team stands up to meet its expanded responsibilities.

• Support Family Engagement and School Choice Integration: Partner with the Director on the cyclical review of the Family Engagement Framework and its integration with SC Parent Connect; support execution of the Office's strategic plan for internal integration of SCDE school choice initiatives.

• Grow, Mentor, and Develop the Office Team: With supervision from the Director, set clear expectations, deliverables, and success measures for Office staff; coach team members, hold the group accountable for follow-through; invest in professional development so team members grow into new responsibilities.

• Collaborate Across the Agency and With External Partners: Facilitate cross-divisional work With Finance, Legal, Communications, and other agency offices; collaborate with authorizers, participating schools, ESTF service providers, districts, and family-facing organizations; contribute to briefings and materials for the State Board and other external audiences as directed by the Director.

• Contribute to Office Strategy and Continuous Improvement: Help the Director shape multi-year plans for each program area; identify opportunities to strengthen how the Office serves students, families, and schools; bring analysis, judgment, and options to the Director for decision.

• Foster a Culture of Service, Excellence, and Accountability: Model a culture grounded in service to students and families, care for colleagues, high expectations for the work, and shared accountability for results.

This position is located in the Office of Education Choice and Family Engagement.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

A bachelor's degree and relevant program management experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, public administration, public policy, business, or a related field; or equivalent education and experience.
• Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in program management, with at least three (3) years in a role that included supervising or leading a team.
• Demonstrated experience leading a program, office, or major initiative, including responsibility for outcomes, deliverables, and team performance.
• Strong program and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, sequence work, and keep a team focused on what matters most.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the office effectively to internal offices, leadership, and external partners.
• Sound judgment and the ability to work through complex issues with care and clarity.
• Commitment to service, integrity, accountability, and the mission of the South Carolina Department of Education.
• Direct experience with South Carolina's charter school program, ESTF program, or another state's education savings account or scholarship program.
• Experience working with authorizing bodies, State Boards of Education, or oversight entities.
• Experience with family-facing programs, community engagement, or school-family partnership work.
• Project or program management credentials (e.g., PMP, PgMP, Lean Six Sigma) are a plus.

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, and 401(k).

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

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