Program Development Manager

Program Development Manager

 

WorldStrides is the largest and most trusted student educational travel company in the country. WorldStrides has provided a variety of educational travel programs to more than two million elementary, middle, and high school students since its inception in 1967. As many as 250,000 students in a given year have traveled with WorldStrides to destinations throughout the United States and the world. WorldStrides is the only company of its kind to be a supplemental education provider.

Our headquarters office is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Charlottesville, Virginia, voted the #1 best place to live, by Frommer’s, Newsweek, Money Magazine and others.

WorldStrides is a great place to work because our employees have a passion for what they do.  We all believe in our mission – "Enriching Students' Lives" by extending education into the worldwide classroom and providing the best opportunity for learning through seeing, experiencing, and interacting. We also offer an excellent benefits & compensation package. 

 

 

Key Objective

Lead new program/product development efforts for creation of a new educational student travel program.

 Lead internal cross-functional efforts in researching, developing, and bringing a new product (educational travel programs) to marketEvaluate the price, package, and competitive environment for assigned new productDevelop, marketing, curriculum and vendor relationships to initiate and operate the assigned new productOversee first year sales and operation, in coordination with other parts of the companyPlan and manage the transition of responsibilities for sales and operation of the new product to established WorldStrides departments.

 

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

 

I.   Program ManagerDevelop and manage the product development program and ensuing product deliveryAssess the need for, develop, and implement appropriate program management toolsDefine, monitor, and measure achievement of program goalsDevelop and manage to program schedule and budgetCommunicate program status to executive leadershipRecruit and coordinate the activities of cross-functional resources contributing to product developmentManage relationships with external partners and suppliersEffectively manage trade-offs between investment, schedule and customer benefit

 

II.   ResearchDevelop research plan required to assess competitive environment, customer needs, and likely product demandDefine and conduct analysis required to optimize productInvolve all stakeholders to understand operational impact of proposed product deliveryExecute research plan

 

III. DesignSet and refine overall product vision, including requirements (key product characteristics)Involve stakeholders, partners, and suppliers in program design processDefine design work streams and coordinate cross-functional design efforts

 

IV.   ExecuteDefine and manage rollout schedule and activitiesCoordinate product rollout, including marketing, staffing, training, partner management, and operational delivery through first full year of operation.

 

Additional Responsibilities: 

· Assist with special team and corporate projects outside of normal duties when needed.

· Additional responsibilities may be assigned.

 

Manager General Responsibilities:

· Foster communication and coordination across departments and with management.

· Support company policies and management decisions with a sense of urgency and professionalism.

· Seek out and participate in internal and external programs that facilitate personal and professional growth.

· Identify and discuss own professional growth goals with VP Business Development.

 

Qualifications: 

· 4 year degree required, preferably in Business. MBA is a plus

· 3+ years business experience or exceptional record of achievement/involvement in college

· Strong experience in one or more aspects of new product launches, including marketing, research, product design, direct mail, seminar related education, vendor relationships, and field operations

· Experience designing, developing, and leading cross-functional projects

· Program management experience

o  Familiarity with project management tools (action plan, risk log, decision log, etc.)

o  Status monitoring

o  Meeting facilitation

· Excellent organizational, time management, and multi-tasking skills

· Excellent relationship-building and communication skills, verbal and written

· Microsoft Office proficiency

· Some travel required

· Experience in student education and travel industries is a plus

To apply click on the link below:

 

http://tbe.taleo.net/NA7/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=WORLDSTRIDES&cws=1&rid=72

 

or mail resume to:

 

WorldStrides

Att: Human Resources

590 Peter Jefferson Parkway

Suite 300

Charlottesville, VA  22911