Rachel Schumacher

Rachel Schumacher Early Childhood Policy Consultant at R. Schumacher Consulting Washington D.C. Metro Area Connect Connect with Rachel Schumacher More actions R. Schumacher Consulting University of Chicago University of Chicago See contact info See contact info See connections (500+) 500+ connections Rachel Schumacher is a nationally recognized strategic thinker and expert on early childhood policy with 20+ years of experience at the national, state, and local levels. Articles 601 followers The Pritzker Family Foundation Seeks a High Level Project Manager Rachel’s profile photo Rachel Schumacher Published on LinkedIn about the j.b. & M.K. pritzker family Foundation The J.B. & M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation (“Foundation”) has a national focus on catalyzing entrepreneurial change that promotes greater equity and fairness in the lives of ordinary people. The Foundation and its affiliates anticipate continuing to make substantial philanthropic investments in excess of $1 billion over 20 years. The Foundation’s primary strategic focus is early childhood development; community healthcare and critical community needs in the state of Illinois; and upholding and expanding individual civil and human rights. The Foundation’s work takes the following fundamental approach: · Investing in evidence-based programs and measuring ROI; · Effecting public policy initiatives through demonstrable advocacy; · Engaging through partnership – recognizing that no one achieves success alone; and · Leading – by convening, spotlighting and bringing expertise. The Foundation is operated out of offices in Chicago led by President Janet Froetscher. Project Manager The Foundation seeks a Project Manager who will help coordinate the effective launch and implementation of the foundation’s multi-pronged Prenatal-3 year old (PN-3) initiative. This start-up effort is focused on promoting the importance of child development in this period, and actively supporting states and communities to undertake common policy and financing advancements focusing on home visiting, quality child care for infants and toddlers, and universal connections that link families with very young children to services. Over the next five years, the foundation seeks to support development of model initiatives at the state and local levels to move toward a tipping point, spurring increased attention and competition across the country to ensure children under three are on track for later school readiness. The Project Manager will work closely with and report to the Director of the Pritzker Children’s Initiative (PCI). S/he will be part of a team leading the implementation of specific segments of the foundation strategy. This will include a state team, communications team, and a vendor that will coordinate across multiple grantees working with communities. The Project Manager will use project management best practices to develop systems and processes to ensure highly effective communications and that the work streams of the PCI strategy are effectively coordinated and aligned. The Project Manager will be responsible for day to day project management of the PCI strategy implementation as well as tracking benchmarks and metrics to ensure the foundation is on track to meet long term goals and objective. S/he and the Director of PCI, who is not located in Chicago, will establish regular communications strategies to ensure aligned thinking and troubleshooting in real-time. S/he will work closely with internal Directors, and their teams, to align work stream objectives and key deliverables with the foundation goals. Qualities and Characteristics Skilled in Project Management Best Practices The Project Manager will bring a demonstrated record of managing complex projects to meet established goals and knowledge of best practices in management. The Project Manager must be able to establish and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues and vendors, and actively manage upward and across colleagues and grantees. . S/he will have the proven ability to use initiative and creativity working across a project with multiple components with separate workstreams, including identifying potential pitfalls and formulating recommended solutions or project adjustments to the Director of PCI. Results Orientation The Foundation is driven to make significant impact in PN-3 state policy in the United States. To succeed in the role, the Project Manager will have a strong results orientation and experience managing projects to meet established goals. The successful candidate will have a business-minded approach to management of complex, large scale projects, and a track record of working toward tangible, measurable results. S/he must be highly organized, data-driven and able to exercise good judgment when presented with complex challenges Collaboration and Partnership Building Orientation The Project Manager will have a track record of recognized, value-added collaboration among staff and stakeholders, ideally including state or local government or advocacy exposure. S/he must be able to help build effective partnerships with the various stakeholders. S/he must be able to partner effectively with the Director of PCI, during a start-up and learning period that may lead to changes and adjustments in the overall strategy. S/he must be able to work well independently as well as in a team, demonstrating a high degree of flexibility and collaboration that includes those internal to the foundation as well as those external to the foundation. Oral and Written Communication Skills The Project Manager will have demonstrated an outstanding set of verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of internal and external audiences. These skills are central to job success given the number project partners that have varying needs for information. Knowing when, how and what to communicate are seen as foundations of effective project management. Summary The ideal candidate will combine project management experience, detail-orientation, a sense of urgency, interpersonal skills and the capacity to drive processes to meet short and long term goals. The candidate needs demonstrated experience working in teams with multiple partners to manage complex work that requires continuous assessment to determine if it is on track or requires adjustment. Ideally, this candidate will have an advanced degree in business management or public policy/administration. Microsoft Office proficiency, particularly in Word, PowerPoint and Excel is a must. Capacity to use software to manage complex projects highly preferred. Preferably, the Project Manager would have significant experience in non-profit or government management, including exposure to early childhood systems at the state and/or local levels. This position requires regular attendance in the Chicago office of the Foundation. All qualified candidates should apply with a cover letter describing their interest in the Project Manager position and a copy of their resume to recruiting@pritzkergroup.com Please note that Pritzker Group does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Any unsolicited resumes will become the property of Pritzker Group. No phone calls, please. Pritzker Group does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, political affiliation, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We look forward to hearing from you! 2 Likes Like Comment Share See all Experience R. Schumacher Consulting Early Childhood Policy Consultant Company NameR. Schumacher Consulting Dates EmployedMay 2018 – Present Employment Duration9 mos LocationWashington D.C. Metro Area JB and MK Pritzker Family Foundation Director, Pritzker Children's Initiative Company NameJB and MK Pritzker Family Foundation Dates EmployedJan 2017 – Apr 2018 Employment Duration1 yr 4 mos LocationChicago, Illinois Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services Director, Office of Child Care Company NameAdministration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services Dates EmployedDec 2014 – Jan 2017 Employment Duration2 yrs 2 mos LocationWashington D.C. Metro Area R.Schumacher Consulting Early Childhood Policy Consultant Company NameR.Schumacher Consulting Dates EmployedDec 2010 – Nov 2014 Employment Duration4 yrs R.Schumacher Consulting offers research, analysis, strategic planning, and technical assistance on early childhood issues for policymakers at the federal, state, and local levels. Center for Law and Social Policy Senior Fellow, Child Care and Early Education Company NameCenter for Law and Social Policy Dates EmployedFeb 1999 – Nov 2010 Employment Duration11 yrs 10 mos The Children's Defense Fund of Greater Cincinnati Policy Analyst Company NameThe Children's Defense Fund of Greater Cincinnati Dates EmployedJan 1998 – Jan 1999 Employment Duration1 yr 1 mo LocationCincinnati, Ohio Area State Representative David B. Cohen Legislative Aide Company NameState Representative David B. Cohen Dates Employed1992 – 1995 Employment Duration3 yrs LocationBoston, Massachusetts Show fewer experiences Education University of Chicago University of Chicago Degree NameMPP Field Of StudyChild and Family Policy Dates attended or expected graduation 1995 – 1997 Brown University Brown University Degree NameBachelor's Field Of StudyHistory, Women's Studies Dates attended or expected graduation 1988 – 1992