Contractor - Project Manager, Learning & Development

Contractors are expected to work remote using their personal devices but must be able to accommodate EST working hours. Why Contract at Next Street? As a contractor, you will play a critical role in supporting the project team and ensuring the successful execution of projects. At Next Street, we are invested in supporting individuals, like yourself, that are joining us in our mission by committing ourselves to the following: Clear and Timely Communication - we will provide detailed and specific information about project expectations, timelines, and deliverables so that you understand your role and responsibilities. Access to Resources - we operate in a unique space and will offer you the resources, such as tools, software, or training, you need to perform your work. Timely Payments - we understand that late or inconsistent payments can create financial strain for you so we will do our best to ensure prompt and accurate payment for services rendered. Clear Contracting Agreements - all our Contractors have clear agreements in place that outlines the scope of work, payment terms and other essential details. Join us and you will get to work on projects that solve some of the most complex economic and community development challenges in the country. Position Summary The Project Manager, Learning & Development owns the production of curriculum from concept through launch. This role runs the pipeline that turns raw content into finished, launch-ready learning: sequencing the work, allocating capacity across the team, managing the contributors who build each course, and holding the line on quality and deadlines. Where a coordinator tracks projects, this role is accountable for what ships: how much, how good, and how on time. The right person thinks in throughput and quality, not just status. They anticipate what a build will need before it stalls, balance concurrent projects against real capacity, and direct instructional designers, content creators, SMEs, and technical partners toward high-quality learning delivered on schedule. Key Responsibilities Production Planning & Throughput Own the production schedule across the curriculum portfolio, from intake through launch. Sequence and prioritize concurrent builds against capacity, dependencies, and deadlines. Map dependencies and secure the inputs each build needs to stay on track (SME content, design, review, media). Monitor progress and forecast risk, adjusting scope, sequence, or resourcing before dates slip. Track throughput and cycle time, and use them to make production faster and more reliable over time. Capacity & Resource Management Allocate work across instructional designers, content creators, multimedia developers, and reviewers based on capacity and skill. Scope, onboard, and load-balance contractors, matching external capacity to demand. Assign and manage tasks, deadlines, and milestones in the team's project management platform, Nifty. Own clean handoffs between production phases so nothing stalls between stages. Quality & Launch Hold production to defined quality standards before anything reaches a learner. Run QA and final review gates ahead of each launch. Support LMS administration, including course setup, testing, publishing, enrollment, and reporting. Maintain production documentation, templates, and standards so quality is repeatable rather than dependent on any one person. Stakeholder & Client Communication Serve as the primary point of contact for production status across internal teams and clients. Give clear, current updates: what is on track, what is at risk, and what needs a decision. Prepare SMEs, contractors, and reviewers ahead of deliverables and reviews so work moves without delay. Escalate blockers early, with a proposed path forward. Continuous Improvement Improve the production system itself: the workflows, templates, and standards that raise throughput and quality as the portfolio grows. Qualifications Required Experience owning delivery across multiple concurrent projects, not just tracking them, while meeting tight deadlines. Experience directing or coordinating the work of creative and technical contributors, including contractors. Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Experience with project management platforms (e.g., Asana, Monday.com, Smartsheet, Microsoft Planner, Jira, or similar). Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace. Preferred Experience managing instructional design or e-learning production. Familiarity with Learning Management System (LMS) administration. Knowledge of course development workflows, including collaboration with SMEs, multimedia developers, and instructional designers. Experience in a client-facing consulting or agency production environment. The contractor role is expected to begin as soon as possible and continue through December 31, 2026 with an estimated commitment of approximately ~10 – 20 hours per week. Next Street maintains an equitable and transparent compensation philosophy, offering a starting hourly rate of $80, commensurate with experience and consistent across all locations. This is a 1099 contractor position; therefore, contractors are responsible for providing appropriate documentation for payment processing and are not eligible for Next Street – sponsored benefits or incentives. Next Street is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Note: This job description outlines the key responsibilities and qualifications expected of a general contractor. However, specific duties and requirements may vary depending on the nature and scope of the project.