Job Description
Design Lab Studio Manager
US-REMOTE-DC
USA (Any)
US-REMOTE-NC
Full time
Requisition – 2022202090
FHI 360 staff working in the United States are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of the type of project or client they serve, or of their employment status (full/part-time, remote, telework, or in-office), unless an accommodation applies. FHI 360 complies with federal, state, and local laws with regard to accommodations related to this policy. Full vaccination is currently defined as two weeks after the second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. Booster doses are not required at this time.
FHI 360’s Design Lab is looking for a Design Lab Studio Manager. Design Lab is FHI 360’s creative studio specializing in design for human development. Design Lab provides creative design services to FHI 360’s business units to meet the program needs of the company’s various external clients as well as internal corporate services. The Design Lab Studio Manager will be responsible for managing the design team’s project work, which includes a broad range of creative services, including campaign development, web design/development, digital communication, branding, print design and illustration. Some staff are based in FHI 360’s DC office (currently working remotely), while others work remotely full time from other parts of the country.
The Design Lab Studio Manager will manage and oversee the development of projects including providing budget, liaising with project stakeholders, and getting designer inputs engage with internal and external clients on FHI 360 projects as needed. This position can be based in FHI 360’s DC, NC, or GA office locations or be remote working on eastern standard/daylight time.
Accountabilities:
- Manage project budgets and estimates working closely with the Design Lab Creative Director
- Acquires resources and coordinates the efforts of team members and external clients to deliver projects according to plan.
- Manages and defines the project’s objectives and oversees quality control throughout the completion of the project(s) life cycle.
- Creates work plans based on goals, targets, and implements evidence-based interventions in one or more multi-sector areas, as well as modern technologies and practices.
- Collaborates with other sectors to integrate work plans, budgets, and multi-sector interventions, which are essential for the success and sustainability of the project.
- Provide guidance and monitoring for project staff, ensuring clarity over project plans and priorities, and encouraging effective teamwork.
- Develops best practices and tools for project execution and management.
- Defines project scope, goals, and deliverables that support business goals and strategic vision of management.
- Develops and delivers project plans, documentation, training, presentations and budget proposals to management and staff.
- Identifies and resolves project issues and implements improvement plans to ensure the project stays on schedule and within budget.
- Evaluates the progress of the project on a regular basis.
- Builds, develops, and grows partnerships vital to the success of the project.
- Manages the operational and tactical aspects of multiple projects in a matrix environment.
- Oversees entire projects with focus on minimizing risk across multiple projects, monitors budgets, and scope to ensure successful execution of project(s) deliverables and completion of project(s).
- Manages the development of project teams to ensure compliance with policies and procedures; also, to develop and implement process improvement plans.
- Identifies partnerships, opportunities, and information to present to management to help achieve strategic goals of the company.
- Keeps abreast of the latest strategies, tools and terminologies used in project management worldwide to adopt and increase productivity.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Project Administration:
- Establish a communication schedule to update stakeholders including appropriate staff in the organization on the progress of the project.
- Determine the resources (time, money, equipment, etc.) required to complete the project.
- Develop a schedule for project completion that effectively allocates the resources to the activities.
- Builds and implements or socialize the best practices for performing all tasks.
- Review the project schedule with senior management and all other staff that will be affected by the project activities; revise the schedule as required.
- Determine the objectives and measures upon which the project will be evaluated at its completion.
- Execute the project according to the project plan.
- Author reports on the project for management and for funders.
- Communicate with funders as outlined in funding agreements.
- Develops best practices and tools for project execution and management.
- Business Development and Proposal Management Support:
- Builds, develops, and grows partnerships vital to the success of the project.
- Identifies partnerships, opportunities, and information to present to management to help achieve strategic goals of the company. Leads aspects of business development and project design efforts (such as drafting management section in a proposal). Lead design activities, sub-components of a larger project or overall design of some smaller awards
- Leads project design tasks and approach to project tasks and may lead project level tasks in multiple task areas.
- Involved in capture management, selects partners, and drafts team agreements and leads aspect of proposal design.
- Writes proposal sections (management, similar experience, etc.)
- Leads sub-award design and is responsible for sub-award monitoring.
Financial Management:
- Monitor and approve all budgeted project expenditures.
- Monitor cash flow projections and report actual cash flow and variance to senior management on a regular basis (monthly/bimonthly)
- Manage all project funds according to established accounting policies and procedures.
- Ensure that all financial records for the project are up to date.
- Prepare financial reports and supporting documentation for funders
Personnel Management:
- Coaches, mentors, and manages project team to ensure efficiency and compliance with project and company standards/policies.
- Provide guidance and monitoring for project staff, ensuring clarity over project plans and priorities, and encouraging effective teamwork.
- Manages the development of project teams to ensure compliance with policies and procedures; also, to develop and implement process improvement plans.
- Develop tools and techniques for delegating tasks according to the skills of every team member and also to evaluate the performance of all team members.
- Ensure that all project personnel receive an appropriate orientation to the organization and the project.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree or its International Equivalent
- Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.
- Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience with projects management principles and practices with strong knowledge of project management software and other technologies
- Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), or design setting preferred
- Strong negotiator and problem solver
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Demonstrated personnel management skills
- Ability to influence, motivate, and collaborate with others
- Ability to adapt and resolve problems/issues to bring project to completion
- Recognizes the need for standardization and balances client and organization needs in systems design
- Anticipates the effects of process change on people while optimizing task efficiency and simplicity
Technology Used:
- Macintosh, Monday.com, Microsoft Office (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), e-mail, telephone, virtual meeting platforms and standard office equipment.
Travel Requirements: Less than 10%
This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.
FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.
FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.
FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others and yourself.
About Us
FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, technology, communication and social marketing creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries and all U.S. states and territories.
As we evolve to meet the challenges of the future, we stand committed to the principles that have guided our organization for the last 40+ years. Our work continues to be grounded in research and science, strengthened by partnerships and focused on building the capacity of individuals, communities and countries to succeed.
FHI 360 staff working in the United States are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of the type of project or client they serve, or of their employment status (full/part-time, remote, telework, or in-office), unless an accommodation applies. FHI 360 complies with federal, state, and local laws with regard to accommodations related to this policy.
FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.
FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.
