Project Manager

Qualifications (Who):
This central point of accountability thrives on order inside complexity. He or she is a driver who takes ownership of outcomes rather than just tracking tasks, and stays calm when a project has a hundred moving pieces and nobody else is watching all of them at once. This person communicates proactively, clarifies expectations before questions arise, and builds trust with clients, administrators, educators and stakeholders alike.
They lead without needing formal authority – directing designers, production specialists, project experience coordinators and installation teams toward one shared plan through influence, clarity and consistency, not title. This person protects margin and protects outcomes at the same time, anticipates scope drift before it becomes a problem, and resets expectations early rather than after something has already gone wrong.
Organized, empathetic and a genuine listener, this person gives full attention to what others are saying and asks the right follow-up questions before reacting. He or she is a team player who fosters a collaborative, positive environment and stays flexible as project assignments shift. Above all, this person lives Kay-Twelve’s core values – Be the Change, You Belong Here, Listen. Care. Follow-Through, and LFG! – in the way the work actually gets done, every day, not just when it’s convenient.
Responsibilities (What):
The Project Manager’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Scorecard KPI: Deliverable Completeness at Handoff — confirm all four Collaborate non-negotiables (Vision & Guiding Principles, Timeline Alignment, Budget Alignment, Accountability & Stakeholders) at every Collaborate → Design transition. Goal: 100%.
Own the client relationship and project outcome from the signed Partnership Agreement through final punchlist.
Own the client budget, overall project commitments, and project outcome, while the Design Solutions Manager owns the design solution and the product/manufacturer decisions needed to meet Kay-Twelve’s gross profit target within that budget.
Lead or facilitate the Collaborate stage – scaling engagement from a focused conversation to a deeper facilitated discovery based on client need, scope and timeline.
Confirm the Collaborate-stage vision, timeline, budget and accountability commitments before a project transitions into Design.
Determine, with the Education Market Leader, when deeper Learning Strategist involvement is warranted, and set that engagement level.
Develop comprehensive project workplans, including timelines, budgets, resource allocation and milestones.
Brief the Design Solutions Manager at Collaborate handoff and remain the accountable owner through Design and Implementation.
Own and coordinate client communication across the project – remaining the responsible party for any commitments, changes, delays, or expectations communicated to the client – even where the Design Solutions Manager, Learning Strategist, or Installation Manager engage directly with the client within their own area of expertise (design presentations, workshops, delivery and installation updates).
Coordinate and align the Design Solutions Manager, Design Production Specialist, Project Experience Coordinator and Installation Manager to one executable workplan, and serve as final decision authority when a trade-off escalated by any of these resources is client-driven or affects a vision, scope, or budget commitment made at Collaborate.
Establish initial project scope, budget framework and financial direction during Collaborate; align pricing assumptions with client goals.
Monitor project budgets and expenses; manage allowances, contingencies and change orders proactively and transparently.
Maintain the project schedule and track performance against key performance targets.
Identify and mitigate schedule, financial, operational and stakeholder risk; resolve conflicts and delays effectively.
Conduct regular site visits and produce site observation reports documenting project status.
Maintain accurate, up-to-date project documentation – agreements, schedules, reports and meeting notes.
Set projects up in Purlieu, documenting finance, staff, tasks, milestones and revenue-driven goals.
Coordinate with Education Market Leaders (Business Development) and Marketing on project updates, visuals and key achievements for social media and client outreach (groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting events), reinforcing Kay-Twelve’s market presence and client relationships.
Transfer completed projects to the Marketing team for case studies and storytelling.
Negotiate, manage, and service agreements/contracts between clients and consultants assigned to the project.
Facilitate clean handoffs between project stages, delivering a stage-end summary that captures outcomes and progress at the close of Collaborate, Design and Implementation.
Lead internal project alignment meetings and direct the day-to-day work of project resources – setting priorities, assigning tasks, and monitoring adherence to the schedule and workplan.
Ensure design and delivery solutions meet Kay-Twelve’s quality standards and align with industry best practices, overseeing processes that keep the project consistent and on schedule.
Maintain decision documentation and change history, and escalate risk with proposed solutions rather than problems alone.
Create visual presentations for projects to communicate design packages, pursue future work, or support interviews when called upon.
What Success Looks Like:
The educational vision is realized.
Stakeholders are aligned and confident.
Key performance targets are met or exceeded.
No surprises to the client or internal team.
The Client Experience is superior and surpasses our competitors.
Specifications (Ticket):
These responsibilities must be performed daily and may evolve as Kay-Twelve’s process does; employees are expected to take on other job-related duties as assigned.
Required
Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Interior Design, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience
Five or more years of experience managing complex projects in construction, architecture, interior design, or facilities planning
Familiarity with local building codes, regulations and standards
Proficiency with MS Project, Excel, Project Management and CRM Software platforms.
Strong understanding of construction and project-delivery processes, with working familiarity with Kay-Twelve’s Radically Student Centered (RSC) methodology and how it shapes scope, sequencing and stakeholder expectations
Ability to lift up to fifty (50) pounds and perform the physical demands of an active construction-site environment (standing, walking, reaching, fine motor tasks) when required
Willingness to work from home or an approved remote office location, with regular travel to active job sites, following all OSHA and site safety requirements (hard hat, safety vest, eye protection, and steel-toe boots as needed)
Preferred
Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
ALEP – Accredited Learning Environments Planner Certification (A4LE)
Why Work for Kay-Twelve (Why)
Leadership says:
A purpose-driven organization, free from public or private equity influence, that prioritizes impact over profit
Mission to positively impact 10,000,000 students and educators by 12/31/2030
Manufacturer agnostic – collaborating with 100+ leading manufacturers, beholden to none
A promise to clients: within our Radically Student Centered™ approach, we never go over budget for the agreed scope
Core Values lived day to day: Be the Change, You Belong Here, Listen. Care. Follow-Through, and LFG!
The team says:
The work we do makes the lives of students and educators better, everyday.
I would tell them the reason I work at Kay-Twelve comes down to purpose, people, and impact. I believe in the work, I believe in the team, and I’m excited about the opportunity to help schools create places where students and educators can do their best work.
I love the autonomy we have to think differently, try things, build relationships and make an impact without being told exactly how to get there. We have people who genuinely want to see each other grow and a team that cares deeply about our customers, our mission and each other.
Because it gives me the opportunity to grow, learn new skills, and contribute to a team.
We are here for the right reasons, we are different, and we are not afraid of getting out there to make a difference, even when it is met with resistance.
We have an opportunity to help schools create environments that give more students the chance to find the way they learn best.
Ready to empower students with Kay-Twelve? Apply now and help us shape the future of learning spaces with purpose and passion!
Job Details
Pay: $68,000 - $85,000 a year (Salary based on region)
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: Remote
Travel Requirements: Frequent and/or overnight travel is required (Primarily for site visits a

Work arrangement
Yes