University Programs Manager in Washington, District of Columbia at Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting

The Pulitzer Center champions the power of stories to make complex issues relevant and inspire action. We have a bold vision: to be the venue for the world’s most innovative and consequential reporting, with journalism as the key element for mobilizing society through audience engagement strategies. Founded in 2006, the Center is an essential source of support for enterprise reporting in the United States and across the globe. The thousands of journalists and educators who are part of our networks span more than 80 countries. Our work reaches tens of millions of people each year through our news-media partners and an audience-centered strategy of global and regional engagement. We believe that people and communities who actively engage with systemic challenges will find solutions together. By supporting journalists as they conduct in-depth investigations, produce compelling stories, and engage diverse audiences, we create a ripple effect of world-changing impact.

About the role

The Pulitzer Center seeks an experienced program leader to manage and advance our university-facing programs. As University Programs Manager, you’ll oversee a portfolio of initiatives that connect students, faculty, and university partners to Pulitzer Center journalism, civic engagement, and cross-sector dialogue ensuring high-quality delivery across multiple programs at once.

This is a hands-on relationship and program management role. You’ll serve as the primary point of contact for journalism schools and Campus Consortium partners, lead the full lifecycle of our Reporting Fellows program, and guide national convenings that bring students, faculty, and journalists together. You’ll also supervise the University Programs Coordinator and support their growth across program areas.

If you’re energized by building partnerships, developing the next generation of journalists, and balancing strategic judgment with day-to-day program execution, this role offers meaningful impact and room to shape how university programming evolves.

ResponsibilitiesUniversity Partnerships & Program ManagementManage day-to-day relationships with Campus Consortium partners across membership tiers, serving as the primary point of contact for journalism schools and programsEnsure strong communication, responsiveness, and alignment with partnership goals and deliverables across programsCoordinate partner recruitment, onboarding, and renewal processes in collaboration with the DirectorConduct regular check-ins with partners to assess satisfaction, gather feedback, and identify opportunities for deeper engagementManage and implement campus-based programming with partners, including curricular integration, student engagement, and faculty collaborationTrack and analyze partner participation, outcomes, and engagement metrics to inform strategic planning and reportingManage Campus Consortium communications in coordination with the Communications team, including newsletter, listserv, and partner-facing platformsSupport the development and refinement of partnership models and program offerings that respond to evolving needs in journalism education and civic engagementRepresent the Pulitzer Center at journalism education conferences, faculty convenings, and other external engagements as appropriateReporting Fellows & Student ProgramsOversee the implementation and continuous improvement of Reporting Fellows and related student-facing programsManage the full lifecycle of fellowship programs, including recruitment, application processes, selection coordination, onboarding, and ongoing supportLead selection processes in collaboration with faculty mentors, the Editorial Team, and the DirectorFacilitate mentorship relationships between Fellows, faculty advisors, and Pulitzer Center staffMonitor Fellow progress, provide guidance and problem-solving support, and ensure alignment with program goals and journalistic standardsCoordinate with the Editorial Team on Fellow story development, editing, and publication processesManage student professional development opportunities including skill-building workshops, networking events, and connections to the journalism fieldSupport alumni engagement and maintain ongoing relationships with program participantsTrack program outcomes including publications, participation, and long-term impactConvenings & Field-BuildingLead planning and execution of key university program convenings, including the annual Reporting Fellows gathering and other Campus Consortium engagementsDesign and implement programming that fosters learning, collaboration, and exchange across institutions and disciplinesSupport the evolution of convening models toward more scalable and programmatically integrated approachesOversee virtual and in-person opportunities that connect students, faculty, and journalistsDevelop evaluation processes and synthesize feedback to improve program qualityCross-Team Collaboration & Strategic SupportCollaborate with the Communications team on partner communications and content development featuring student and faculty workWork with the Editorial Team to strengthen alignment between Pulitzer Center journalism and university programsCoordinate with the Development team on donor-related activities tied to university programs and fellowshipsSupport the Director in grant reporting, proposal development, and program planningContribute to data collection and analysis demonstrating program reach, quality, and impactParticipate in organizational initiatives and represent university programs in cross-departmental meetingsTeam LeadershipDirectly supervise the University Programs Coordinator, providing mentorship, strategic guidance, and accountabilitySupport the Coordinator’s development across program areas and set priorities that align with team and organizational goalsParticipation in Pulitzer Center Culture & ValuesContribute to task forces, training sessions, committees, special projects, and organizational events that support the Pulitzer Center’s mission and cultureParticipate in organizational planning processes and strategic initiativesSupport implementation of organizational DEI goals and mission alignment prioritiesMentor and support colleagues as appropriateQualificationsRequired Qualifications5+ years of progressive experience in program management, partnership management, higher education or journalism education, or a related fieldDemonstrated success managing partner or stakeholder relationships and delivering high-quality programsExperience managing the full lifecycle of fellowship, student, or cohort-based programsStrong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneouslyExcellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to tailor messaging for varied audiencesExperience supervising or mentoring staff or direct reportsExperience planning and executing convenings, events, or gatherings—virtual and in-personData-driven approach with experience tracking participation and outcomes to inform strategy and reportingCommitment to equity and inclusion and experience engaging diverse partners and participantsAbility to work independently in a remote environment with strong self-direction and accountabilityPreferred QualificationsExperience in journalism education, higher education partnerships, or civic engagement programmingFamiliarity with fellowship program administration and student mentorship modelsBackground in or familiarity with monitoring and evaluation frameworksExperience working across distributed or cross-functional teamsEstablished network in journalism education, academic, or nonprofit sectorsFamiliarity with event production and logisticsSuccess Metrics

Your impact will be measured by:

Partnership Strength: Health, retention, and growth of Campus Consortium partnerships across membership tiersFellow Outcomes: Quality of the Reporting Fellows experience and Fellow publications, participation, and long-term impactProgram Quality: Consistent, high-quality delivery of programs and convenings with documented outcomesPartner Satisfaction: Responsiveness to partner needs and depth of engagement over timeEvaluation Rigor: Implementation of effective evaluation processes that improve program quality over timeTeam Leadership: Effectiveness and growth of the University Programs Coordinator and quality of team collaborationCross-Functional Collaboration: Quality of partnership with Editorial, Communications, and Development teamsCompensation & BenefitsSalary Range: $64,000 - $70,000 annually, commensurate with experienceComprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, generous PTO, and professional development supportRemote work arrangement with flexibility for work-life balance

Compensation for US-based employees: Salary range listed above is for US-based employees. Our benefit package includes paid time off (holiday, vacation, parental, and sick), health care coverage (including medical/dental/vision), health savings accounts, 403(b) retirement plan, transit benefit, parental leave, and Life & ADD/LTD/STD Insurance.

Location & Work Arrangement

This position is fully remote and open to candidates located anywhere in the United States, with a preference for candidates in Eastern or Central time zones to facilitate collaboration with team members, organizational leadership, and university partners.

Travel Requirements: This role requires approximately 15–20% domestic travel annually for:

University partner site visits and campus-based programmingNational and regional conferences, faculty convenings, and journalism education gatheringsThe annual Reporting Fellows convening and other Campus Consortium engagementsTeam meetings and organizational gatherings

The ideal candidate will be comfortable with regular virtual collaboration, occasional multi-day travel commitments, and flexible scheduling to accommodate partners across time zones.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Pulitzer Center is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences.

Questions?

To learn more about our work, visit pulitzercenter.org.

The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting is committed to supporting in-depth international journalism and using storytelling to drive public discourse and civic engagement on critical global issues. Join us in shaping how the world engages with the stories that matter most.