Manager, Inclusive Programs & Operations

NPR • Washington, DC

1d • $142,500 - $158,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager, Inclusive Programs & Operations is a hands-on program leader responsible for turning NPR’s diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) priorities into well-designed, successfully executed programs, learning experiences and strategic initiatives. The role is an individual-contributor position and an operational partner to the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, translating high-level concepts into measurable delivery through project plans, timelines, stakeholder coordination, logistics, budgets, deliverables, risk management and program evaluation.

The Manager develops operational systems and frameworks to launch and sustain programs, including initiatives built from scratch, multi-day convenings for Member Station leaders, and inclusive leadership workshops. The role coordinates with internal departments and external partners, facilitates DEI learning, supports Employee Resource Group leaders, creates practical resources and curricula, and uses feedback and outcome measures to improve programs.

This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid-permitted role. The employee is required to work in NPR’s Washington, D.C. office weekly. The U.S.-based anticipated salary range is $142,500–$158,500, plus benefits. Regular full-time employees scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week are eligible to enroll in NPR benefits options, which include health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well-being programs, with medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance and voluntary retirement savings options.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience designing or implementing diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, organizational culture or employee-engagement initiatives.
• At least 5 years of experience developing, managing and executing complex programs, projects or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, timelines and deliverables.
• Demonstrated ability to turn a new idea or strategic objective into an operational structure for launch, including workplans, timelines, stakeholder roles, communications, logistics and evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience designing learning content and facilitating workshops, trainings or discussions for employees, managers or organizational leaders.
• Experience coordinating projects across multiple departments or functions, advancing work with stakeholders who do not directly report to the project lead, and managing relationships with senior leaders, employees, external partners, vendors and community stakeholders.
• Experience planning and executing large-scale convenings, programs, events or multi-session initiatives involving internal and/or external stakeholders.
• Strong record of identifying barriers, dependencies and risks and developing practical solutions before they disrupt project delivery.
• Exceptional ability to translate complex strategic priorities into sequenced operational steps and detailed project management plans.
• Strong skill in constructive coaching and guiding managers on cultivating psychological safety within teams.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including building trusted relationships across diverse groups while ensuring accountability.
• Comfort collecting, synthesizing and interpreting qualitative feedback and quantitative metrics to iterate and improve programs.
• Capability to manage administrative processes, budget tracking and governance guidelines within structured systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Development, Social Sciences, Communications or a related field, or equivalent work experience.

Responsibilities

• Own the planning and implementation of DEIA programs and strategic initiatives from concept through completion, translating priorities into plans with milestones, deliverables, dependencies, resource allocations and success measures.
• Partner with the Vice President of DEI to establish programs and initiatives and build the operational infrastructure needed for launch, implementation and evaluation.
• Coordinate cross-functional work across teams including People, Newsroom, Audience Insights, Marketing, Communications, Legal, Procurement, Finance and Member Partnership; clarify roles and maintain communication throughout initiatives.
• Support programs with external organizations, universities, speakers, consultants, vendors and NPR Network partners, coordinating communications, schedules, deliverables, agreements, logistics and follow-up.
• Serve as the central point of contact and operational advisor for Employee Resource Group leaders, supporting charter development, strategic goal-setting and budget reconciliation.
• Design, develop and facilitate DEI learning experiences for employees, supervisors, executives and Network partners on topics such as inclusive leadership, equitable feedback, navigating difference, psychological safety, accessibility, bias and organizational culture.
• Coordinate logistics for large-scale programs, convenings and learning experiences, including participant communications, agendas, speakers, facilities, technology, vendors, transportation, materials and registration.
• Create practical resources, facilitator guides, trainings, toolkits, templates and frameworks that translate DEIA principles into practices staff and leaders can apply.
• Develop quantitative and qualitative measures of program success, gather participant feedback, analyze outcomes, document lessons learned and recommend improvements.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents, including health and wellness, paid time off and financial well-being options.
• Medical insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• Short-term disability insurance.
• Voluntary retirement savings options.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager