Description

The Program Manager (PM) is a critical member of the Centre’s small but dedicated team. The PM’s core responsibility is to manage approximately 100 projects each year.

A successful PM will build mutually beneficial relationships with clients and consultants, design scopes of work that effectively address client needs, create project budgets that are affordable for clients and that generate sufficient income for the Centre, and collaborate with all stakeholders to expand the Centre’s base of satisfied clients.

The PM reports directly to a Centre Manager and collaborates with multiple colleagues on both program and operational objectives.

The Centre uses a hybrid environment in which employees work traditional hours from a site of their choosing within California. The Centre team meets in person approximately monthly for staff meetings, strategic planning sessions, and other purposes.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities
Teamwork

The Centre’s team of dedicated professionals are committed to advancing the public good. Team members collaborate on projects, serve as thought-partners, and play key roles in Centre operational processes. The PM is also responsible for duties as assigned.

Project Management

The PM annually manages approximately 100 projects of various lengths and degrees of complexity, ensuring that schedules are kept, resources are provided when and where needed, and project outcomes are met. PMs track project developments and use Centre processes and technology to track project status. While each project unfolds in its own time and manner, each includes several stages.

• Intake. The PM collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to design a scope of work that meets the client’s needs.
• Proposal and Budget. Based on the Intake process, the PM builds a project budget, and drafts and gets client approval of a comprehensive project proposal.
• Consultant Assignment. The PM assigns and supports consultants from the Centre’s pool of subject matter experts to provide direct client services.
• Billing/Invoicing. PMs review and approve consultant invoices, and request, approve, and support the tracking of client invoices and payments.
• Evaluation. PMs evaluate all aspects of their projects and recommend and/or manage improvements to drive constant improvement.

Billable Time

Depending on the candidate’s skillset, the position may include a billable time component (e.g., to provide direct client services). The amount of billable time will be set each year.

Qualifications and Experience
The Centre seeks well-qualified candidates whose skillsets complement the rest of the team and contribute to the Centre’s overall development.

• A bachelor’s degree is required. The successful candidate will have developed the necessary skillset through graduate education, professional experience, or a combination of the two.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects and coordinating multiple stakeholders in consulting, organizational development, professional services, or a related environment.
• Strong ability to develop proposals, coordinate approvals, and translate strategic priorities into actionable plans.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and relationship-management skills with clients, consultants, and internal colleagues.
• Strong organizational skills, sound judgement, and the ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution.
• Proficiency with basic math skills needed to assist with project-related financial processes.
• Proficiency with the Windows environment and MS365 software. Familiarity with SaaS platforms such as Airtable, PandaDoc, and Zoom are strongly preferred.
• Commitment to continuous learning, quality improvement, and mission-driven work.