Program Manager III

City of Austin

2d•$80,490 - $107,310•Hybrid

About The Position

Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (ACME) is your hub for the City of Austin’s diverse cultural initiatives. We are committed to fostering a vibrant, creative ecosystem that celebrates and supports Austin's artists, musicians, entertainment venues, and cultural institutions. ACME is a centralized hub offering resources, funding opportunities, and strategic programs that promote local talent and drive economic growth. Under limited direction, this position is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing complex program(s) that integrates multiple elements or projects to achieve a defined objective. The Program Manager III (PMIII) for the Cultural Affairs & Investments Division is a senior program leader who supports the City of Austin’s cultural investment strategy, oversees division-wide data and performance activities, manages research partnerships, and leads key strategic projects that strengthen Austin’s creative ecosystem. Under limited direction, this position develops, implements, and manages complex programs involving multiple elements and stakeholders, consistent with the PMIII classification description. This role serves as the Division Manager’s primary deputy, ensuring the division’s operations, investments, and partnerships advance ACME’s mission and the City’s cultural priorities. This position plays a critical role in advancing transparent funding systems, strengthening community impact, supporting creative career development, and implementing ACME-wide operational excellence strategies—including data-driven decision-making, collaboration across divisions, continuous improvement, and professional stewardship of public resources.

Requirements

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
Knowledge of program management.
Knowledge of principles and practices associated with assigned program area(s).
Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation and monitoring.
Knowledge of management principles related to municipal project and program activities.
Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
Skill in strategic planning and budgeting.
Skill in oral and written communications.
Skill in planning, coordinating, and implementing programs and activities.
Skill in interpreting, organizing, coordinating, and executing assignments, projects, and programs.
Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
Skill in using computers and related software applications.
Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
Ability to establish and maintaining good working relationships with other City employees, City management, political offices, and the public.
Ability to exercise good judgment, tact, and diplomacy in all dealings and maintain confidentiality as required.
Graduation with Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to the job, plus five (5) years of experience in a field related to the job, including two (2) years of experience which were in a supervisory, project or program management capacity.
Valid Texas Class C Driver License.

Nice To Haves

Experience with cultural funding, cultural policy, heritage preservation, or work within the creative sector.
Experience designing or supporting programs that strengthen creative career pathways, arts education, or professional development for creative workers.
Experience leading data systems, performance measurement, KPI development, or program evaluation.
Experience managing research partnerships or participating in national/international cultural research cohorts.
Experience managing complex public-sector programs or projects involving multiple stakeholders.
Experience improving operational processes or collaborating across departments, divisions, or partner organizations.
Experience preparing and delivering presentations and written materials for Boards & Commissions, public audiences, or executive leadership.

Responsibilities

Develops and implements full-scale complex or multiple programs that may have both internal and external stakeholders.
Determines program goals, objectives and resource requirements.
Establishes program standards, methods, policies and procedures.
Develops, manages and submits proposed budget and forecast planning.
Coordinates and collaborates with multiple stakeholders involved in or affected by programs.
Monitors and evaluates program effectiveness, and implements improvement strategies.
Develops, manages, and monitors the program budget and associated projects and provide financial information.
Manages, coordinates, implements and monitors projects associated with assigned programs.
Interacts with internal and external customers.
Investigates and responds to inquiries from the public and other departments.
Attends meetings and conducts presentations to Boards and Commissions, City Council Committees, City Council, and other related agencies.
May be responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.