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Director Special Project Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... project-managing initiatives end-to-end - the Director will flex between both, often within the ... Special Projects (30%) * Advance high-priority special projects that require strong problem solving ...

... project-managing initiatives end-to-end - the Director will flex between both, often within the ... Special Projects (30%) * Advance high-priority special projects that require strong problem solving ...

$120 - $180/hr

Associate Director, Special Projects Full-time Regular Washington, DC, US 5 days ago Requisition ID ... Maintain systems for tracking project timelines, deliverables, decisions, and follow‑ups, and ...

New

Assistant Director, Special Events Reports to Position : Director, Special Events Scope of ... The Assistant Director serves as project lead for 1-2 major galas each season, providing strategic ...

The Director plans, executes, manages and coordinates all special events for Institutional ... years of project management experience to include 3 years of special events, advancement ...

Position Overview DCCM is seeking an experienced Director, Special Districts to serve as the ... This is fundamentally a district engineer service role -- not a project management role. The ...

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Director Special Project information

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$44K

$109.6K

$197.5K

How much do director special project jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for director special project in the United States is $109,563.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,000.00 and $144,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of special project do?

A Director of Special Projects is responsible for leading and managing high-priority initiatives within an organization that fall outside the scope of standard operations. This role often involves coordinating cross-functional teams, developing project plans, and ensuring projects align with the company’s strategic objectives. Directors of Special Projects may be tasked with launching new business ventures, overseeing organizational change, or managing time-sensitive assignments directly from senior leadership. Their work requires excellent problem-solving skills, adaptability, and strong communication to drive successful project outcomes.

How does a director of special project typically collaborate with other departments to ensure project success?

A Director of Special Projects often works cross-functionally, partnering with leaders from departments such as operations, finance, marketing, and IT to align project objectives with overall organizational goals. This role requires excellent communication and stakeholder management skills to coordinate resources, manage timelines, and resolve any interdepartmental challenges that may arise. Regular meetings and progress updates are common, ensuring all parties are informed and engaged. Successful Directors foster a collaborative environment, leveraging the expertise of diverse teams to drive innovative solutions and deliver impactful results.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of special project, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Special Projects, you need expertise in project management, strategic planning, and cross-functional leadership, often supported by a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree. Familiarity with project management tools (like Asana, Trello, or MS Project), data analysis software, and sometimes certifications such as PMP are typically required. Strong communication, adaptability, and problem-solving skills enable effective coordination across diverse teams and shifting priorities. These competencies ensure successful delivery of complex, high-impact projects aligned with organizational goals.

What is the difference between Director Special Project vs Project Manager?

AspectDirector Special ProjectProject Manager
CredentialsBachelor's or master's degree, industry-specific certificationsBachelor's degree, PMP or similar certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentStrategic oversight, executive-level collaborationDay-to-day project execution, team management
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in corporate, government, and non-profit sectors for high-level projectsCommon across industries for managing specific projects

The main difference is that the Director Special Project focuses on strategic planning and oversight of high-level initiatives, while the Project Manager handles the operational aspects of project execution. The Director typically works at an executive level, guiding project goals, whereas the Project Manager manages teams and timelines to deliver project outcomes.

More about Director Special Project jobs

What cities are hiring for Director Special Project jobs?

Cities with the most Director Special Project job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Special Project jobs?

The most popular types of Special Project jobs are:

What states have the most Director Special Project jobs?

States with the most job openings for Director Special Project jobs include:

Infographic showing various Director Special Project job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,563 per year, or $52.7 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Director, Special Projects

College Board -L&A

Location:This is a remote role. Candidates who live near CB offices have theoptionof being fully remote or hybrid (Tuesday and Wednesday in office). All CB employeesare required tooccasionally travel to meet in person for business purposes.

Role Type:This is a full-time position

About the Team

Learning & Assessment isCollegeBoard's center for researching, designing, delivering, and strengthening high-quality assessments that serve more than 7+ million students annually and advanceopportunityaround the world. The division brings together 150+ experts in research, psychometrics, and assessment design and development to ensure our assessments are rigorous, accessible, and grounded in evidence.The Director, Special Projectsoperatesas a "chief of staff" and strategic thought partner to the Senior Vice President, who leads the Learning & Assessment division. This is a high-impact, high-visibility role at the center of one of the organization's mostimportant areasof work.

About the Opportunity

The Director willserve asa trusted partner and force multiplier to the Senior Vice President, helping drive the division's priorities, operating rhythm, leadership alignment, and execution against ambitious goals.The role will leadgoal-settingand performance-driving efforts across the division, ensure critical initiatives are well planned and executed, andhelp manage the Senior Vice President's internal and external agenda.Operating at the intersection of strategy and execution, the Director willidentifypriorities, surface risks, unblock progress, prepare executive-level materials, lead special projects, and represent the Senior Vice President and division in a variety of settings, including withC-Suite and Executive Leadersacross the College Board.The role requires equal comfort orchestrating cross-functional work through others and personally project-managing initiatives end-to-end - the Director will flex between both, often within the same day.This role will serve asa critical partner in helping theSenior Vice President manage priorities,maximize effectiveness, and drive the division to reaching mission critical outcomes.

As a member of the Senior Vice President's leadership team, the Director willalsoserve as a key connector across the divisionon mission critical initiatives,ensuring clarity, alignment, accountability, andstrong communicationbetween the Senior Vice President, her leadership team, and managers across the organization.

In this role, you will:

SVP Support (40%)

  • Serve as Chief of Staffand strategic thought partner to Senior Vice President,helping the Senior Vice Presidentmanage priorities, make effective decisions, and maximize impact across theL&A Departmentsand adjacentdivisions andteams.

  • Drive cross-functional initiatives from concept to execution, aligning stakeholders across Psychometrics,Assessment Design & Development,Academic Leadership Engagement Team,Research,and external partners whodon'treport directly to this role.

  • Own follow-through decisions made in meetings - track commitments, flag slippage, and close loops quickly.

  • Represent the Senior Vice President in internal working groups and meetings,making recommendations and decisions on behalf of SVPandL&A, throughsound judgment, professionalism, and executive presence.

  • Draft, proofread, and edit mission critical correspondence, emails, and presentations for the Senior Vice President,representingthe entire divisionand College Board.

Divisional Support(30%)

  • Develop a deep understanding of theL&A capabilities andfunctions andserve as a member of theL&Aleadership team, while providing sound counsel and professional discretion.

  • Refineand own the operating infrastructure(cadences, reporting tools, dashboards, andanalysis)that gives the Senior Vice President and Leadership Team real-time visibility into progress against divisional goals, surfaces risks early, andhelpsdrives the decisions and course-corrections needed to stay on trackand achieve outcomes.

  • Define and drive the division's culture and employee engagement,ensuringthese effortsreinforce collaboration,community, transparency, inclusion, and commitment to the College Board's mission.

  • Partner with our Finance Business Partner ontheannual budgeting processandquarterlyfinancial reviews.

  • Collaborate closely with our Talent Business Partner(HR)on promotion/raiseprocesses, organizational design, headcount,talent and succession planning,and other Talentinitiatives.

  • Plan, manage, and leadour weeklydivisional Leadership Meetingandquarterlyall-divisional meetings,bi-annualin-person convenings,andquarterlyin-personleadership retreats.

  • Work closelywiththeAssistant Director, Division Operations & Knowledge Managementtosupportthe Senior Vice President's priorities andensureteamoperationsanddivisionalcommunicationsareas effective as possible.

Special Projects (30%)

  • Advance high-priority special projects that require strong problem solving, cross-functional coordination, and the ability to move complex work from ambiguity to execution.

  • Foster relationships with a broad set of employees from across the College Board,includingsenior managementand other special projects staff across the organization,establishingmutual trust and respect that helps the team driveorg-wide impact.

About You

  • Minimum5-10+years professional experience including, ideally, several years of experience in a strategic operations role and experience workingcloselywith a senior executive

  • Bachelor'sdegree

  • An outstanding record of professional achievement and leadership

  • A passion for supporting educational and career opportunities for millions of students

  • Comfort with ambiguity, complexity, and fast-moving priorities

  • Experience managing complex, cross-functional projects simultaneously, with attention to detail and command of project specificationsincluding drivingand through lateral leadership and influence

  • Strong strategic, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including using data to inform decisions and actions

  • Excellent judgement and ability toengage with,influence,and make recommendations tosenior leadersacross the organization

  • Strong ability to work collaborativelyand build trust across teams

  • Exceptionalverbal and written communications skills, includingfacilitatingmeetings and presenting remotely and in-person to groups of 40 or more

  • Experience leading effective meetings and driving follow-through and progress tracking

  • Proficiencywith using generative AI toexpediteworkflows, drive efficiencies, and enhance final work products

  • Ability to travel 1-2 times per quarter, particularly to New York City and Washington, DC

  • Authorization to work in the United States

All roles at College Board require:

  • A passion for expanding educational and career opportunities and mission-driven work.

  • Curiosity and enthusiasm for emerging technologies, with a willingness to experiment with and adopt new AI-driven solutions and comfort with learning and applying new digital tools independently and proactively.

  • Clear and concise communication skills, written and verbal.

  • A learner's mindset and a commitment to growth: welcoming diverse perspectives, giving and receivingtimely, respectful feedback, and continuously improving through iterative learning and user input.

  • A drive for impact and excellence: solving complex problems, making data-informed decisions, prioritizing what matters most, and continuously improving through learning, user input, and external benchmarking.

  • A collaborative and empathetic approach: working across differences, fostering trust, and contributing to a culture of shared success

  • Authorization to work in the United States

About Our Process

  • Application review will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.This role is expected to accept applications for a minimum of 5 business days.

  • Whilethehiring processmay vary, it generallyincludes:resume and application submission, recruiter phone/video screen, hiring manager interview, performance exercise, a panel interview, a conversation with leadership and reference checks.

What We Offer

AtCollegeBoard, we offer more than a paycheck- we provide a meaningful career, a supportive team, and a comprehensive package designed to help you thrive.We'rea self-sustaining nonprofit that believes in fair and competitive compensation grounded in your qualifications, experience, impact, and the market.

A Thoughtful Approach to Compensation

  • The hiring range for this role is $80,000-$125,000,

  • Your exact salary will depend on your location, experience, and how your background compares to others in similar roles at the College Board.

  • We aim to make our best offer upfront, rooted in fairness, transparency, and market data.

  • We adjust salaries by location to ensure fairness, no matter where you live.

You'llhave open, transparent conversations about compensation, benefits, and whatit'slike to work atCollegeBoard throughout your hiring process. Check outourcareers pagefor more.