Project Lead

Company Description The Starfish Institute is a nonprofit advisory organization dedicated to driving lasting change across persistent social challenges. Its work spans healthcare, housing, democracy, justice, education, and other areas where inequities have persisted for decades. The Institute partners with communities, institutions, and changemakers to design and implement innovative, evidence-informed solutions.

Team members are part of a mission-driven environment that values collaboration, equity, and impact-focused strategy.

Role Description The Project Lead is a contract, on-site role based in Los Angeles, CA, responsible for guiding complex social impact projects from planning through implementation. This role coordinates project timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring activities align with the Institute’s mission and client objectives.

Day-to-day responsibilities include facilitating meetings and workshops, managing project documentation, tracking progress against milestones, and identifying risks and opportunities. The Project Lead collaborates with cross-functional teams, supports research and data gathering, and prepares clear reports and presentations for internal and external audiences.

This role also contributes to refining project methodologies and improving processes to enhance the Institute’s impact.

Qualifications

• Project and program management skills, including planning, organizing, prioritizing tasks, and managing timelines and deliverables.
• Stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with community partners, clients, and internal teams.
• Analytical and research abilities, such as collecting and synthesizing data, identifying trends, and using insights to inform recommendations.
• Facilitation and presentation skills, including leading meetings or workshops and preparing clear written reports and visual materials.
• Experience or strong interest in social impact domains such as healthcare, housing, democracy, justice, or education.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-centered approaches in project design and execution.
• Ability to work independently in an on-site environment in Los Angeles, CA, while collaborating closely with a multidisciplinary team.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., public policy, social sciences, business, nonprofit management) or equivalent experience.
• Prior experience leading projects in nonprofit, public sector, consulting, or social impact settings is highly beneficial.