Program Manager, Strategic Implementation

We are seeking a highly organized, systems-minded leader who thrives on turning strategy into execution. Program Manager, Strategic Implementation will lead the implementation of high-priority, cross-functional strategic initiatives by building the structures, tools, and coordination needed to move complex work forward. Some initiatives will remain under this role’s leadership throughout their lifecycle, while others will transition to operational teams once a strong implementation foundation has been established. In addition to leading and managing strategic initiatives, this role will help build consistent program and project management practices across the organization, strengthening our ability to plan, coordinate, and deliver complex work effectively. This is a highly collaborative role that works across teams and levels of the organization. The ideal candidate is someone who can zoom out to understand the strategic goal, zoom in to manage the details, and bring people together to ensure work keeps moving. This role reports to the Chief of Staff. Core Responsibilities and Measures of SuccessLead Strategic Initiative ImplementationOwn the planning and execution of complex, cross-functional initiatives from kickoff through completion or transition to an operational owner.Core Responsibilities:Translate strategic priorities into clear, executable plansEstablish timelines, milestones, owners, governance structures, and success measuresCoordinate work across departments and ensure teams understand roles, responsibilities, and dependenciesMonitor progress, identify and manage risks, and remove obstacles to keep work movingFacilitate decision-making and ensure key decisions and next steps are documented and followed throughLead implementation through completion or facilitate a thoughtful, seamless handoff to an operational ownerProvide clear, consistent communication and reporting to organizational leaders Examples of initiatives:Federal grants and foundation-funded initiativesNew organizational prioritiesCross-functional operational programs and projectsStrategic launches and pilots Measures of success:Strategic programs and projects start well, with clear plans, owners, timelines, governance, and success measures from day oneComplex initiatives move forward with strong coordination, clear accountability, and fewer surprisesLeaders have greater visibility into progress, risks, dependencies, and decisionsStrategic initiatives are successfully completed or transitioned to operational owners with the structures and knowledge needed for continued success Build Organizational Program Management CapabilityCreate the systems, tools, and practices that help teams across the organization execute work more consistently and effectively.Core Responsibilities:Develop shared program and project management standards, templates, tools, and expectationsCreate scalable processes for project kickoff, planning, progress tracking, and reportingImprove visibility into organizational priorities, major initiatives, and cross-functional workBuild and maintain dashboards and tracking systems that support effective decision-makingIdentify opportunities to improve organizational workflows and ways of workingCapture lessons learned and continuously refine program and project management practices Measures of success:Teams have shared tools, templates, language, and expectations for managing programs and projectsTeams spend less time reinventing project management processes and more time executing the work itselfLeaders have greater visibility into organizational priorities and the status of major initiativesProgram and project management practices become increasingly consistent, scalable, and effective across the organization Partner with Teams to Enable Successful ExecutionServe as an internal program and project management partner to leaders and teams across the organization, providing hands-on support and coaching to help important work succeedCore Responsibilities:Support teams in launching and structuring new initiativesFacilitate planning, kickoff, and working sessionsCoach program and project leads on implementation and project management best practicesHelp teams establish clear governance, roles, communication plans, and decision-making structuresProvide additional implementation support during critical phases of programs and projectsBuild strong relationships across departments and serve as a trusted partner who helps teams navigate complexity and keep work moving Measures of success:Leaders and teams feel better equipped to plan and execute complex workTeams have greater clarity about roles, responsibilities, decisions, and next stepsLeaders spend less time managing the mechanics of programs and projects and more time focused on strategy, content, and decisionsThe organization has greater confidence in its ability to deliver complex work effectively Who You AreYou are a strong program manager who brings structure to complexity without creating unnecessary bureaucracy. You are naturally organized, highly collaborative, and comfortable working across teams and levels of an organization. You know how to take a big-picture goal and turn it into a practical plan-and you have the persistence and judgment to keep that plan moving when priorities shift or obstacles arise. You are equally comfortable building systems and rolling up your sleeves to manage the details. You can facilitate a meeting, build a project plan, identify a risk, ask a hard question, and communicate a concise status update to senior leaders. You bring a calm, solutions-oriented approach to complex work and are energized by helping others execute well. Experience and Qualifications3-5 years of experience managing cross-functional programs and projects, ideally in a complex, mission-driven, education, nonprofit, or similarly collaborative environment.Demonstrated ability to translate complex or ambiguous priorities into clear plans, timelines, roles, deliverables, and measures of success-and drive work through completion.Strong project management, facilitation, communication, and relationship-building skills, with experience coordinating across teams and managing competing priorities, dependencies, and risks.Experience building or improving systems, processes, tools, or templates that help teams work more effectively and execute more consistently.Experience working with education, grants, or federally or foundation-funded initiatives is a plus; experience with creative agencies, designers, or other external partners is also a plus.Familiarity with project management methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, or similar approaches is a plus. CompensationSalary range will be between $80,000- $100,000, commensurate with experience, plus competitive benefits.How to ApplyYour resume and cover letter will serve as your application. To be considered for this role, submit your resume and cover letter to HR@educatorsrising.org with the subject line Program Manager Strategic Implementation.Deviation from this subject line will cause a delay in the processing of your application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We are seeking a highly organized, systems-minded leader who thrives on turning strategy into execution. Program Manager, Strategic Implementation will lead the implementation of high-priority, cross-functional strategic initiatives by building the structures, tools, and coordination needed to move complex work forward.

Some initiatives will remain under this role’s leadership throughout their lifecycle, while others will transition to operational teams once a strong implementation foundation has been established. In addition to leading and managing strategic initiatives, this role will help build consistent program and project management practices across the organization, strengthening our ability to plan, coordinate, and deliver complex work effectively.

This is a highly collaborative role that works across teams and levels of the organization. The ideal candidate is someone who can zoom out to understand the strategic goal, zoom in to manage the details, and bring people together to ensure work keeps moving. This role reports to the Chief of Staff.

Core Responsibilities and Measures of Success Lead Strategic Initiative Implementation Own the planning and execution of complex, cross-functional initiatives from kickoff through completion or transition to an operational owner.

Core Responsibilities:

Examples of initiatives:

Measures of success:

Build Organizational Program Management Capability Create the systems, tools, and practices that help teams across the organization execute work more consistently and effectively.

Core Responsibilities:

Measures of success:

Partner with Teams to Enable Successful Execution Serve as an internal program and project management partner to leaders and teams across the organization, providing hands-on support and coaching to help important work succeed Core Responsibilities:

Measures of success:

Who You Are You are a strong program manager who brings structure to complexity without creating unnecessary bureaucracy. You are naturally organized, highly collaborative, and comfortable working across teams and levels of an organization. You know how to take a big-picture goal and turn it into a practical plan-and you have the persistence and judgment to keep that plan moving when priorities shift or obstacles arise.

You are equally comfortable building systems and rolling up your sleeves to manage the details. You can facilitate a meeting, build a project plan, identify a risk, ask a hard question, and communicate a concise status update to senior leaders. You bring a calm, solutions-oriented approach to complex work and are energized by helping others execute well.

Experience and Qualifications

Compensation Salary range will be between $80,000- $100,000, commensurate with experience, plus competitive benefits.

How to Apply Your resume and cover letter will serve as your application. To be considered for this role, submit your resume and cover letter to HR@educatorsrising.org with the subject line Program Manager Strategic Implementation.

Deviation from this subject line will cause a delay in the processing of your application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

• 3-5 years of experience managing cross-functional programs and projects, ideally in a complex, mission-driven, education, nonprofit, or similarly collaborative environment.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex or ambiguous priorities into clear plans, timelines, roles, deliverables, and measures of success-and drive work through completion.
• Strong project management, facilitation, communication, and relationship-building skills, with experience coordinating across teams and managing competing priorities, dependencies, and risks.
• Experience building or improving systems, processes, tools, or templates that help teams work more effectively and execute more consistently.
• Experience working with education, grants, or federally or foundation-funded initiatives is a plus; experience with creative agencies, designers, or other external partners is also a plus.
• Familiarity with project management methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, or similar approaches is a plus.

Salary range will be between $80,000- $100,000, commensurate with experience, plus competitive benefits.