Project Manager - Semo Rise

Project Manager – SEMO RISE Department: Workforce Development Position Type: Full-Time Salary: Up to $60,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience Reports To: Executive Director Location: Southeast Missouri, with regional travel as required POSITION SUMMARY Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri (CPSEMO) is seeking a qualified and motivated Project Manager to lead the implementation and coordination of SEMO RISE (Regional Industry Skills and Employment) , a regional workforce development initiative serving 14 counties across Southeast Missouri.

SEMO RISE will focus on two connected sectors with demonstrated regional workforce needs: skilled trades and construction, and information technology (IT), with an emphasis on commercial drone technology and its applications across industries. The initiative seeks to strengthen regional workforce pathways by connecting individuals to relevant education, occupational training, industry-recognized skills, and employment opportunities aligned with employer demand.

The SEMO RISE Project Manager will provide project leadership, oversee day-to-day implementation, coordinate regional partners, monitor program performance, and ensure compliance with applicable grant requirements. The initiative is designed to address persistent workforce challenges throughout this predominantly rural region, including barriers to education, training, and employment.

The Project Manager will work collaboratively with employers, educational institutions, training providers, community organizations, workforce development partners, and other stakeholders to support regional workforce priorities, expand access to industry-relevant training, and strengthen pathways into skilled trades, construction, and information technology careers.

This position requires strong organizational, communication, project management, and relationship-building skills, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet grant deliverables, and maintain accountability for project outcomes. GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA SEMO RISE serves the following 14 counties in Southeast Missouri : Cape Girardeau, Perry, Bollinger, Scott, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Dunklin, Wayne, Stoddard, Ste.

Genevieve, St. Francois, Madison, and Butler. The position may require travel throughout the service area to attend partner meetings, engage employers, monitor project activities, and support program implementation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Project Leadership and Implementation  Provide day-to-day leadership and oversight for SEMO RISE activities, ensuring implementation aligns with approved grant objectives, work plans, timelines, and deliverables.  Develop, maintain, and monitor project work plans, implementation schedules, milestones, and performance targets.  Coordinate project activities across participating counties and partner organizations.  Identify implementation challenges, develop corrective action plans, and communicate significant issues to organizational leadership.  Monitor progress toward project goals and recommend adjustments to improve effectiveness and outcomes.  Facilitate regular project meetings and maintain clear communication among internal staff and external partners.  Ensure project activities reflect the initiative's priorities in skilled trades, construction, and information technology, including commercial drone technology applications.
2. Regional Partner and Stakeholder Coordination  Build and maintain productive relationships with employers, workforce development agencies, educational institutions, training providers, community organizations, and other regional stakeholders.  Coordinate partner engagement to identify workforce needs, skills gaps, and opportunities for collaboration.  Support the development of regional strategies that connect individuals to education, occupational training, career pathways, and employment opportunities.  Facilitate meetings, document partner commitments, and track follow-up activities.  Promote collaboration among partners to reduce barriers to participation and improve access to workforce services across the region.  Represent CPSEMO and SEMO RISE at meetings, community events, workforce forums, and other relevant engagements.  Foster collaboration among industry partners, educators, and training providers to align workforce preparation with the skills and qualifications employers need.
3. Grant Compliance and Reporting  Ensure project activities are conducted in accordance with applicable grant requirements, approved budgets, contractual obligations, and organizational policies.  Maintain accurate, organized, and timely documentation of project activities, partner engagement, expenditures, outcomes, and required deliverables.  Prepare and submit grant reports, performance updates, progress summaries, and other required documentation by established deadlines.  Monitor compliance with grant-specific performance measures, eligibility requirements, documentation standards, and reporting procedures, as applicable.  Coordinate with CPSEMO leadership, finance staff, and program personnel to support accurate expenditure tracking and appropriate use of grant funds.  Assist with monitoring visits, audits, reviews, and requests for supporting documentation.  Identify potential compliance concerns and promptly communicate them to the appropriate supervisor.  Ensure project records and reporting accurately reflect progress toward grant objectives and applicable workforce development outcomes.
4. Workforce Development and Employer Engagement  Engage regional employers to identify current and projected workforce needs, in-demand occupations, and skill requirements.  Coordinate workforce development activities focused on skilled trades and construction, as well as information technology, with an emphasis on commercial drone technology and its applications across industries.  Support the development and coordination of training and employment pathways aligned with regional industry needs.  Collaborate with employers, educational institutions, and training providers to strengthen connections between training opportunities and available employment.  Identify barriers that prevent individuals from accessing education, training, and employment and work with partners to develop practical solutions.  Promote strategies that improve workforce participation, job readiness, skills attainment, and access to employment opportunities.  Support awareness of career opportunities and pathways in skilled trades, construction, information technology, and commercial drone technology.  Explore opportunities to incorporate commercial drone technology and related technical skills into workforce training based on employer demand, regional industry needs, and available training resources.  Monitor regional workforce trends and communicate emerging needs and opportunities to project partners and organizational leadership.  Help ensure workforce development strategies remain responsive to the needs of employers and job seekers throughout the 14-county service area.
5. Performance Monitoring and Continuous Improvement  Track project milestones, participation, partner engagement, deliverables, and outcomes in accordance with grant requirements.  Develop and maintain tracking systems, dashboards, or other tools to monitor project progress.  Analyze performance data to identify trends, gaps, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.  Work with partners to address performance gaps and strengthen service delivery.  Provide regular updates to organizational leadership regarding progress, risks, accomplishments, and areas requiring additional support.  Support the collection of success stories and other outcome information to demonstrate project impact.  Monitor applicable training, credential attainment, employment, and other performance outcomes associated with the initiative's targeted workforce sectors.  Use performance data and partner feedback to recommend improvements to project activities and strengthen progress toward grant objectives.
6. Administrative and Organizational Responsibilities  Maintain professional records, correspondence, meeting minutes, project files, and supporting documentation.  Coordinate project-related meetings, training sessions, events, and other activities as needed.  Manage competing priorities and ensure timely completion of assigned responsibilities.  Collaborate with other CPSEMO departments and programs to maximize resources and support organizational goals.  Maintain regular communication with organizational leadership regarding project progress, challenges, resource needs, and significant developments.  Perform other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director or designated supervisor. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, workforce development, project management, human services, education, or a related field; equivalent relevant education and experience may be considered.  At least three years of experience in project management, program coordination, workforce development, grant administration, or a related field.  Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple activities, manage deadlines, and achieve established project objectives.  Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare professional reports and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.  Experience developing and maintaining professional relationships with community partners, employers, agencies, or other organizations.  Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.  Proficiency with Microsoft Office or comparable productivity tools, including spreadsheets, word processing, presentations, and data tracking.  Ability to travel throughout the 14-county service area as required.  Valid driver's license and reliable transportation, subject to CPSEMO's applicable driving and vehicle-use requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

 Experience administering or implementing federally funded, state-funded, or other grant- funded projects.  Familiarity with grant compliance, performance reporting, budget monitoring, and documentation requirements.  Experience in workforce development, adult education, occupational training, career services, or employer engagement.

 Knowledge of the workforce and economic development landscape in Southeast Missouri.  Experience coordinating multi-agency initiatives or regional partnerships.  Familiarity with skilled trades, construction, information technology, commercial drone technology, or related technical training and career pathways.  Experience using data to monitor outcomes, assess program effectiveness, and support continuous improvement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES  Strong project management, planning, and problem-solving skills.  Ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities effectively.  Ability to work independently while maintaining accountability to organizational leadership.  Ability to build trust and maintain productive relationships with diverse stakeholders.

 Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret project performance data.  Ability to identify risks, resolve challenges, and implement practical solutions.  Commitment to equitable access to workforce development, education, training, and employment opportunities.  Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and represent CPSEMO professionally.

 Ability to communicate effectively with employers, educators, community partners, and other stakeholders from diverse professional backgrounds.  Ability to coordinate initiatives across a multi-county region and adapt to changing workforce and industry needs. WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS This position operates primarily in a professional office environment and may require regional travel to partner locations, employer sites, training facilities, and community meetings.

Occasional evening or weekend activities may be necessary based on project needs. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants without unlawful discrimination in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

DISCLAIMER This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or requirements.

Responsibilities

may be modified as necessary to meet organizational needs and SEMO RISE grant requirements.