Manager, Project Management (Hybrid)

Company Description At Lakeshore, we create innovative learning materials and world-class guest experiences for teachers, parents and children. Since 1954, we’ve grown into a global community—with a thriving e-commerce business, multiple catalogs, over 50 stores, a peerless national sales force, plus international offices that support our preeminent supply chain division. But today we’re working better, smarter and faster than ever—and setting our sights even higher. We’re building an infrastructure designed for scalability, embracing data-driven decision-making and using technology to improve efficiency and ensure the best tools for the best work. Most importantly, we continue to invest in a diverse team of inquisitive top talent who fuel each other’s passions and curiosity, take risks, try new things and believe that every new day brings opportunities for growth. Job Description Great products for children and educators don’t happen by accident — they’re built by teams who know how to move complex work forward. As Manager of Project Management on our RD&D team, you’ll lead a team of project managers responsible for taking products from early concept through launch. You’ll set the conditions for your team to do their best work: clear priorities, smart risk management, and the kind of coaching that builds both confidence and capability. If you care about developing people and delivering results that end up in classrooms and homes, this role is for you. This position is based in Carson, CA, and follows a hybrid work model, with in-office presence on designated days. A day on the job looks like this: Leading and developing a team of project managers—setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback and building each person’s ability to anticipate risk and drive decisions independently Owning the health of the project portfolio from concept through launch, ensuring project plans are well-built, risks are surfaced early and escalation paths are clear Serving as the connective tissue across departments—aligning stakeholders, clearing bottlenecks and making sure the right approvals happen Reporting regularly to RD&D leadership on project status, risks and mitigation strategies, translating complex work streams into clear, actionable updates Facilitating team discussions and decision-making forums that help your project managers resolve conflicts, make timely decisions and keep work moving Driving continuous improvement across the team’s project management practices — analyzing performance data, identifying patterns and building better ways of working over time Partnering on hiring, onboarding and developing new team members so they’re set up to contribute quickly and grow into the role Qualifications Got the skills and experience? Here’s what we’re looking for: Required: 5+ years of project management experience in a product development environment, with a track record of delivering complex, multi-phase projects on time 2+ years of direct people management experience, including hiring, coaching, and developing salaried team members Demonstrated ability to manage risk proactively — identifying issues before they become problems and guiding a team through ambiguity without losing momentum Strong cross-functional influencing skills with the ability to align stakeholders across departments and navigate competing priorities without formal authority Proficiency in project management tools and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly for tracking progress, analyzing performance, and communicating status to leadership Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in a related field PMP certification or equivalent formal project management training Familiarity with product introduction processes, sales and operations planning, or Stage-Gate product development frameworks Experience managing through organizational change or leading a team during periods of process transition Hands-on experience with Workfront or a comparable project management platform What sets you apart: You make accountability feel collaborative — your team knows what’s expected and why, and team members hold themselves to it because you’ve built that culture deliberately You translate complexity into clarity: When a project is off track or a stakeholder conversation is messy, you help people see the path forward instead of getting stuck in the noise You develop people with the same rigor you apply to projects — you notice what each person needs, give feedback in the moment, and invest in each person's growth even when things are busy You’re a steady presence in dynamic environments — you adapt your plans without losing your priorities, and you keep the team grounded when conditions shift Additional Information And here’s our end of the bargain! At Lakeshore, we pay local market wages for employees that reside within Los Angeles and Orange Counties. For this position, new employees joining Lakeshore who live within Los Angeles and Orange Counties are typically brought into the organization at a salary rate between $118,000-$160,000 depending on relevant experience & skillset. This range is indicative of projected hiring range. The annual base compensation will take into account each candidate's relevant experience, location, and skillset. Bonus eligible Paid leave for new parents to support work/life balance and family bonding Excellent medical/dental and vision coverage—EPO, PPO and HSA 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution (because you will retire someday) Flexible benefits—choose what you like, ignore the rest On-site preschool for our employees’ children On-site employee gym for all levels/fitness needs Generous employee discount Casual dress…and we really mean it At Lakeshore, we know our diversity makes us stronger, and when everyone feels included and valued, we all win. We strive to embrace our differences and create an intentionally diverse and inclusive community that is representative of the teachers, families and children we serve. We know we couldn’t do the extraordinary things we’re doing without the people on our team. Thanks to the passion and enthusiasm of this spectacular group, Lakeshore is more than a great place to work—it’s a great experience to be part of. Day in and day out, we give everything we’ve got to create products that instill a sense of wonder and foster a true love of learning. To help maintain this high bar for success, we’re constantly on the lookout for people to join us. So if you’re a down-to-earth professional who shares our desire for making a difference, we’d love to hear from you. To learn more about Lakeshore, visit Equal Employment Opportunity Policy People are selected to become members of the Lakeshore family based on skill, merit and mind-boggling talent—not based on race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital status, domestic partnership status, military status, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, alienage, AIDS or AIDS-related complex status, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, status as a victim of domestic violence, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If things aren’t equal, we all lose. To learn about how we collect and use Applicant information, please visit our Employee/Applicant Privacy Policy. Lakeshore is an E-Verify employer. We use E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Please see the E-Verify Participation Poster and Know Your Rights Poster in English and Spanish for more information. INDRLL1