Penn Foster

Position Summary:

The Junior Project Manager / Business Analyst will play a key role on the Data Team at Penn Foster Group, supporting the successful execution of data-driven initiatives that enhance decision-making and operational efficiency. This hybrid role is ideal for a detail-oriented professional who enjoys managing project timelines, coordinating across teams, and translating business needs into actionable technical requirements. The individual will lead project coordination efforts, track milestones, and help ensure on-time delivery of high-quality data products. They will also contribute to business analysis activities such as requirements gathering, documentation, and user acceptance testing. This is a collaborative role requiring strong communication skills, organizational agility, and a foundational understanding of data concepts. The ideal candidate is a self-starter eager to grow their project management and analytical skills in a mission-driven, technology-enabled environment.

Essential Job Functions:

Project Management (75%)

• Project Planning & Execution: Support the planning and execution of data-related projects—ranging from reporting automation to system integrations. Help define scope, set realistic timelines, and track milestones.
• Team Coordination: Liaise with cross-functional teams including IT, Product, and Analytics to ensure smooth execution of project deliverables.
• Stakeholder Communication: Maintain transparent, proactive communication with internal stakeholders; document and circulate updates, timelines, and key dependencies.
• Status & Risk Management: Monitor project health, escalate blockers early, and assist in managing risk mitigation plans.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure delivery of high-quality data solutions aligned with business needs and organizational objectives.

Business Analysis (25%)

• Requirements Gathering: Assist in capturing business and data requirements through interviews, meetings, and document reviews.
• Process Documentation: Create process flows, requirement documents, and user stories related to data pipelines and reporting products.
• Collaboration with Analysts & Engineers: Translate business needs into technical documentation for data engineers and data analysts to implement.
• Testing Support: Help define and execute UAT plans for enhancements to reporting tools, dashboards, and data platforms.
• These are the critical, “must haves” for the job.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Required:

• 1–3 years of professional experience in project coordination or management, preferably within an educational, SaaS, or data-driven environment.
• Proficiency with tools such as Jira, Confluence, or Microsoft Project.
• Familiarity with data concepts such as ETL, SQL, KPIs, and dashboard tools (e.g., Power BI, Looker).
• Excellent communication skills—written and verbal.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management abilities.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Business, Data Analytics, Project Management, or related field.
• Agile/Scrum or PMP training or certification.
• Experience in data analytics, reporting, or working with data teams.
• Exposure to enterprise systems like CRMs, or student information systems.

About Us: At Penn Foster Group, we are transforming online learning to help learners by bringing together Penn Foster, CareerStep, Ashworth College, James Madison High School, the New York Institute of Photography, the New York Institute of Art and Design, and other education platforms. Together, we create an accelerated path to greater economic mobility through real-world skills and knowledge that enable learners to achieve long-term success in the workplaces of the future. Our history dates back to 1890 when our founder, Thomas Foster, pioneered distance education by offering training by mail for coal miners to get the necessary skills for safer jobs. Today, with the partners who use our education and training programs, we continue that mission of providing accessible training and education for in-demand skills and are building a workforce that’s prepared for the future job market.

Equal Employment Opportunity: We strive toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Penn Foster Group by intentionally building diverse teams – in identities, lived experiences, and ideas to create a culture where people feel connected to each other and have a sense of belonging. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion because it is the foundation that enables us to achieve what we set out to do as an organization – from maximizing the number of learners who can reach their goals while giving them the kinds of experiences we want them to have, to becoming the type of company we want to work in.

What We Offer: We offer a robust benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, flexible spending, generous paid time off, sponsored volunteer opportunities, a 401K with a company match, and free access to our online programs.