Senior Program Manager (Multiple Openings) Apply by: August 3, 2022

About JFF:   
Jobs for the Future (JFF) drives transformation of the American workforce and education systems to achieve equitable economic advancement for all. 

About the position:   
Due to JFF’s rapid growth and opportunities for increased impact, we are currently hiring a cohort of Senior Program Managers to meet the needs of various teams across JFF. These new Senior Program Managers will be assigned to specific teams across JFF, based on the organization’s evolving needs and candidates’ skillsets and interests. We believe Senior Program Managers are considered the rocket fuel necessary for our success, so this is an opportunity to contribute to JFF’s important work, develop valuable skills, and work in an equity-centered, innovative, and mission-driven environment. 

Senior Program Managers are collaborative project managers who excel at utilizing their strategy, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills to impact mission-critical bodies of work. Whether facilitating a convening of external partners or taking a deep dive into quantitative data analysis, Senior Program Managers play a key role in designing, strengthening, and scaling solutions that create equitable conditions and clear paths to economic advancement for all. 

Based on the organization’s needs, and candidates' skills and interests, you could be embedded into one of the following units listed here! You can learn more about the work our teams engage in through exploring the Impact Stories on our website. Also, don’t hold back on applying! If you're selected for a phone interview, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about our different teams and which may be the best fit for you. Even if you aren’t selected for a phone interview, there could be a place for you here, now or in the future! 

What you'll do:   

Project & Program Management  

• Develop and manage projects from concept and proposal, to kick-off, implementation, and final close-out  Manage timelines, workflow, communications, production of deliverables, and other aspects of project implementation    Monitor and evaluate project plans, tasks, resources, deadlines, and any post-project needs to accomplish project goals  

• Make strategic use of knowledge management and project management tools such as Salesforce CRM, Workfront, and other similar tools  Work in partnership with JFF’s Fiscal Team to support budget and contract management of key projects and programs  Contribute to business development and fundraising efforts, including managing teams responding to RFPs, budgeting support, and development of scopes of work for external partners 

Strategic and Analytical Thinking   

• Support and participate in the design and delivery of technical assistance to partners, project staff, funders and other stakeholders to help them achieve their goals   Conduct primary and secondary research to yield insights for the field and inform recommendations for future action  Identify and analyze best practices and learnings from projects to share within your unit and across JFF in order to inform the continuous improvement of the design, delivery, and evaluation of programs and products  Translate research findings and/or data analysis into concise and actionable written products, graphics, and presentations for multiple audiences, including implementation toolkits for practitioners  Work with potential funders and colleagues to build out innovative ideas and proposals that advance the work and reach of JFF  

Communication   

• Create analytical and practice-oriented written products and deliverables, including reports, tools, memos, and case studies  Communicate effectively and professionally in public forums with colleagues regarding activities and outcomes of programs   Synthesize and share relevant findings with a wide range of internal and external audiences 

• Facilitate and/or represent JFF in small and large group meetings, trainings, and/or strategic planning sessions for partners, funders, and other stakeholders  

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Quickly build trust and rapport with JFF colleagues, within your Unit and across JFF, as well as external stakeholders  Identify and support intermediaries, community-based organizations, educational institutions, workforce agencies, and/or industry partners in building capacity and developing cross-sector partnerships 

• Organize and facilitate meetings of diverse stakeholders both externally and across JFF (e.g. peer-learning meetings, technical assistance workshops, site visits, or program/policy research meetings)  

Who you are:   

• You have at least 5-7 years of relevant experience in program management or consulting within an education, workforce, economic development, or other relevant setting  You are a strong project manager with a proven track record of leading large, complex projects that include deliverables for multiple partners, funders, and/or senior-level executives and decision-makers. 

• You have exceptional organizational skills and a keen attention to detail, with the judgment to manage competing priorities, and an ability to track and drive forward varied, fluid workstreams  You are an excellent writer, speaker, and presenter, with the ability to synthesize and communicate complex issues in clear and actionable ways  You are a dynamic facilitator who knows how to design and lead meetings, convenings, and other engagements that will influence senior-level executives and decision-makers  You have experience cultivating and managing relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders, ideally with experience working with or building coalitions and networks across community-based organizations, intermediary organizations, employers, public agencies, and/or philanthropic partners  You are creative, resourceful, and flexible; you enjoy jumping into new projects and know how to build subject matter expertise and credibility quickly 

• You thrive in a fast-paced environment and can seamlessly pivot between being an individual contributor and working in close collaboration with others   You possess high energy and passion for JFF’s mission and an ability to apply JFF’s core values to all areas of your work   You model inclusive leadership, working effectively with diverse staff, and building and stewarding an organizational culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion   You contribute to positive, effective, collaborative cultures and teams wherever you work   You are a curious and adaptive learner, with a willingness to take in new information, perspectives, and data to inform your work   

• You demonstrate a growth mindset and desire to continuously improve in your work and approach    You are able and willing to travel up to 20% (The frequency will vary according to mix of projects. Note: JFF staff travel is currently limited given the evolving context around the COVID-19 pandemic.) 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at JFF:   
JFF is committed to sustaining a diverse community with a work environment that is welcoming, respectful, and encouraging to all. JFF fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and cultivates diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience.   As part of our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, JFF strongly encourages people impacted by the criminal legal system to apply. 

To apply:   

We are accepting applications through August 3rd. Applications submitted by that date will be reviewed and candidates will receive updates on their candidacy in the weeks following the application deadline.  

Candidates can expect the following hiring process and timeline (please note that this timeline is subject to change):   

• August 3 – August 11: Phone Interviews  

• August 17 – August 22: Performance Task   August 25 – September 8: Final Interviews  

Things to note about this hiring process:  

• If you are invited to a phone interview, our People & Culture Team will share additional context about our teams’ current needs.  

• If you advance to the final interview round, you will be notified which role(s) and team(s) you are being considered for.    While JFF cannot guarantee that you will be placed in your team of choice, your preferences will help us best match candidates to roles that align with their interests/skills and our areas of need.     

Positions at JFF are not eligible for employer-visa sponsorship or open to F-1 student visa holders.   

All JFF employees are required to be fully up to date on their vaccinations against COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption has been requested and a reasonable accommodation approved.    

JFF offers a competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience and skills.