The Manager, Strategy & Planning (Growth & Scholar Talent) serves as a Strategic Operations Architect for the Success Academy Charter School network, providing senior executive visioning, programmatic project design, and data-driven execution for high-stakes regional growth and Scholar Talent (K–12 Arts Program) initiatives. 

Reporting directly to the Executive, Growth & Scholar Talent, this role serves as the critical operational bridge among data analytics, school-based programs, marketing workstreams, and senior leadership to engineer the institutional infrastructure needed to scale large campaigns and seamlessly manage network strategy from initial conception through final evaluation.

Responsibilities include:

• Operational Infrastructure Architecting: Translate high-level, multi-year organizational scaling blueprints (e.g., Strategic Plan 2.0) into rigorous operational management plans, establishing critical cross-functional tracking cadences and outcome-based targets.

• Matrixed Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead and align cross-functional teams (including Data/Systems Analytics, Marketing, Communications, and Field Teams) through sophisticated project dependency mapping, driving outcomes through influence and accountability rather than direct authority.

• Process Optimization & System Design: Continuous diagnostic evaluation of lifecycle projects; identify operational bottlenecks and design seamless, tech-forward, and repeatable systems/infrastructure.

• Executive Storytelling & Reporting: Synthesize large amounts of operational data and team insights into masterfully crafted executive memos, briefings, and presentations tailored for senior network leadership and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT).

• Agile Problem Solving: Wear multiple hats as part of a lean, high-performance strategy team—using data, best practices, and a creative problem-solving mindset to tackle shifting organizational priorities and new strategic tasks as needed.

Job Description

We are looking for a highly skilled, tech-forward, and deeply analytical strategist to join our team as a Strategic Operations Architect for our network's expansion framework. You will play a pivotal role in structuring our scale-up operations, optimizing heavily matrixed workstreams, and bringing the operational discipline and Executive Storytelling capability necessary to realize our world-class scaling goals.

In this role, you will:

• Drive project execution by combining a creative, problem-solving mindset with a disciplined focus on scalable workflows.

• Operate seamlessly in a fast-paced environment, driving high-priority milestones independently and managing up effectively to executives.

• Manage, interpret, and maintain complex data-tracking dashboards (e.g., Looker, Monday.com, Lovable) to provide real-time updates on critical project dependencies and visibility.

• Champion a culture of continuous improvement by integrating diverse perspectives and data insights into future campaign planning.

• Communicate openly, clearly, and urgently about all tasks, using a proactive approach to escalate roadblocks and mitigate strategic risks.

We Invite You to Apply If You:

• Possess an Advanced Private/Strategic Profile: Bring 3-5+ years of rigorous experience in management consulting, corporate finance, startup scale-ups, or highly analytical strategy roles within high-performance organizations.

• Are an Infrastructure Builder: Have a proven track record of designing complex, heavily matrixed workflows, mapping dependencies backward from hard deadlines, and building operational systems from scratch.

• Master Executive Storytelling: Possess exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to create highly effective slide decks and synthesize dense operational data into crisp executive prose for senior leadership.

• Are Tech-Forward & Data-Driven: Demonstrate deep experience leveraging automated project management tools (e.g., Monday.com), CRM frameworks, and advanced G-Suite analytics to clean and optimize funnel workflows. Experience using AI tools (Claude Cowork, Lovable, Gemini) preferred, but not required. 

• Thrive on Growth & Feedback: Bring a mindset of extreme flexibility, open-mindedness, and humility—willing to put the team's goals above individual tasks while relentlessly sweating the details.

• Embody our ETHOS: Excel in Teamwork, Humor, and Ownership, keeping our Scholars top of mind in every outcome.