Program Manager at NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS – WASHINGTON, District of Columbia

Position Summary

The Program Manager plays a critical role in advancing the organization’s mission and strategic priorities by planning, coordinating, and delivering high quality programs, products, and services within a defined subject matter area. This role translates strategy into action by managing complex, cross-functional initiatives, ensuring operational excellence, and supporting a collaborative, high performing team culture.

The Program Manager partners closely with subject matter leaders, internal teams, and external stakeholders to design and execute professional learning experiences, events, tools, and resources. The role also provides project leadership support for major organizational events and initiatives aligned with the assigned portfolio.

Responsibilities

I. Program & Project Management

• Manage the day-to-day operations of programs, products, and services within the assigned subject matter portfolio, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with organizational priorities.
• Partner with subject matter leadership to define goals, success measures, project outcomes, and timelines that support strategic initiatives.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, work‑back schedules, milestones, and task tracking for multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Translate high-level vision and strategy into clear, actionable project phases and deliverables. level vision and strategy into clear, actionable project phases and deliverables.
• Monitor progress, identify risks, dependencies, and capacity constraints, and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Ensure clear communication, accountability, and follow-through across cross-functional teams.
• Serve as a central point of coordination among internal staff, consultants, facilitators, and external partners.

II. Budget & Resource Management

• Support the development and management of program and project budgets.
• Track expenses, support forecasting, and contribute to regular budget reviews.
• Lead or support contract coordination with vendors, consultants, and facilitators, in collaboration with appropriate internal teams.
• Ensure resources are aligned with project scope and priorities.

III. Event, Conference & Product Support

• Serve as project lead or key contributor for designated conferences, institutes, or professional learning events within the portfolio.
• Coordinate timelines, deliverables, and stakeholders to ensure high quality program design and execution.
• Partner with Events, Marketing, Research, Membership, and other internal teams to support logistics, speakers, content development, and promotion.
• Support calls for proposals, speaker coordination, scheduling, and content readiness, as applicable.

IV. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Manage clear, timely, and consistent communication with internal teams, external partners, and customers.
• Serve as a responsive, solutions-oriented point of contact for program related inquiries.
• Establish feedback loops to support evaluation and continuous improvement of programs and services.
• Prepare or contribute to program documentation, updates, and internal reporting.

V. Team & Process Development

• Align program deliverables with established project timelines and milestones, supporting consistent use and thoughtful enhancement of project management tools, processes, and documentation.
• Facilitate meetings, check-ins, and planning processes that foster collaboration, transparency, and shared accountability.
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and well-functioning team culture.

VI. Growth, Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate with subject matter leaders to identify opportunities for innovation, iteration, and program growth.
• Support the assessment and development of new initiatives aligned with organizational mission and strategy.
• Apply learning from evaluation, feedback, and outcomes to improve future work.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in program or project management.
• Experience applying professional expertise in independent school leadership and governance, school finance, or education inclusion and belonging efforts, with the ability to translate that experience into practical, mission‑aligned work.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, cross-functional initiatives from conception through delivery.
• Experience working within or alongside a defined subject matter area relevant to the assigned portfolio.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional organizational, time management, and prioritization skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to navigate complex relationships and manage challenging conversations with professionalism and empathy.
• Strategic thinking, problem-solving, and sound judgment.
• Ability to quickly learn and effectively use project management tools and systems.
• Comfort working in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

Core Competencies

• Judgment and critical thinking
• Dependability and accountability
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Integrity and professionalism
• Clear and effective communication
• Creativity and continuous improvement mindset

Position Details

• Status & Classification: Full-Time, Regular
• Business Unit: Leadership & Governance
• Supervisor: Senior Director, Programs
• Location: Remote in the United States with preference for candidates local to DC
• Travel: Ability to travel approximately 10% of the time for in-person meetings at the Washington, DC headquarters, attendance at conferences, and participation in other professional development activities.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to operate in an office environment and travel as required