Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Educational Innovation

Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Educational Innovation

To date, what is happening in the brain has not been firmly connected to what is happening in the classroom. The mission of the USC Center for Affective Neuroscience, Development, Learning and Education (CANDLE) is to bring educational innovation and developmental affective neuroscience into partnership, and to use what is learned to guide the transformation of schools, policy, and the student and teacher experience for a healthier and more equitable society. By inventing new study methods and launching a transdisciplinary conversation about the goals and processes of education in the modern era, CANDLE integrates research in schools and laboratory settings, leveraging the expertise of both practitioners and scientists. Located in USC Brain and Creativity Center, the Center serves as a dynamic hub for translating this research back to educators and policymakers. 

A core focus for the Center is to ensure that the science that is developed is put into practice and policy for the betterment of the educational system.  CANDLE conducts synergistic field and laboratory research to learn more about how educators and students think and feel, and how these thoughts and feelings are related to their brain development, deep learning, health and achievement in various contexts, now and over time. We document live teaching and learning while simultaneously capturing physiological data, and then follow up in the lab with interviews, authentic learning and teaching activities, and brain scans.  CANDLE provides a much-needed forum for scientists and educators to work together by facilitating in-depth conversations, professional learning centers and scientific gatherings. The Center helps educators answer the “so what?” question about neuroscience—what neuroscience means for structures and practices in schools and how neuroscience informs the professional toolkit needed by teachers in contemporary classrooms. CANDLE also helps neuroscientists know what kind of work is needed most by educators in the field.

Summary

The USC Center for Affective Neuroscience, Development, Learning and Education (CANDLE) seeks a highly motivated and entrepreneurial Project Manager to support the development, implementation, and growth of strategic initiatives that translate research into educational practice and policy.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director and working closely with the Center's scientific, educational practice, operations, and program leadership teams, this position will help advance CANDLE's mission by supporting the development of new project lines, strategic partnerships, district engagement efforts, revenue-generating initiatives, and externally funded opportunities.

The Project Manager will play a central role in expanding the reach and impact of CANDLE's work by helping educators, school systems, and organizational partners apply developmental affective neuroscience, Science of Learning and Development (SOLD) principles, transcendent thinking, and whole-child approaches to educational improvement and redesign.

This position requires a unique blend of project management expertise, educational leadership experience, relationship development skills, and the ability to work across research, practice, fundraising, and organizational development functions.

This position will report to the Executive Director.

Primary Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Strategic Initiatives and Project Development

• Support the Executive Director and senior leadership team in identifying, developing, and launching new strategic initiatives.

• Manage the planning and implementation of complex projects that advance CANDLE's research, educational practice, and public engagement objectives.

• Develop project plans, timelines, implementation strategies, budgets, deliverables, and reporting systems.

• Coordinate cross-functional teams that include researchers, educators, consultants, district partners, and external collaborators.

• Support the development of new service offerings, partnership opportunities, and revenue-generating initiatives.

District and Educational Partnerships

• Build and maintain relationships with school districts, educational organizations, foundations, intermediary organizations, and strategic partners.

• Support district engagement efforts focused on educational redesign, educator learning, leadership development, and implementation of transcendent thinking approaches.

• Assist in the development and execution of partnership agreements, pilot programs, and implementation plans.

• Represent CANDLE in meetings, presentations, conferences, an