Program Manager

Vital Communities • White River Junction, VT

30d • Hybrid

About The Position

Vital Communities is seeking a dedicated and passionate Program Manager to oversee a robust portfolio of intersectional projects in two key program areas: Transportation and Climate & Energy, advancing innovative solutions to regional challenges, with a particular focus on communities disproportionately impacted. Additionally, the Program Manager is responsible for Municipal Topics, a cross-cutting portfolio that touches other program areas. The Transportation Program works with partners to build a safe, reliable, multi-modal transportation system for the Upper Valley. The Climate & Energy Program focuses on building climate-resilient communities by deepening relationships, embracing climate adaptations, and implementing a just transition to renewable energy. Current Municipal Engagement areas include housing, zoning, solid waste management, and climate resilience. Personal transportation is required (mileage and travel time compensated), along with willingness to work occasional nights and weekends for municipal meetings, community events and stakeholder meetings. The program portfolios associated with this position will evolve due to the fluctuating nature of grant-funded work and emerging community priorities. In the current fiscal year, the approximate anticipated level of effort for this role is: Climate & Energy 25%, Transportation 40%, Municipal Engagement 30%, and 5% organization-wide work.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and 4 or more years of relevant experience, or a comparable combination of relevant education and experience
• Familiarity/experience with some or all of the following: Rural transportation systems, Upper Valley transportation systems, Climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, community resilience and sustainability efforts, and/or environmental justice, Municipal governance and regional structures (e.g., regional planning commissions, school supervisory unions/school administrative units) in the Upper Valley, how zoning impacts relevant program areas (e.g., housing availability)
• Creativity and strategic vision, with a focus on co-designing and executing impactful projects that are grounded in, and guided by, the expertise of impacted community members and stakeholders
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to prioritize workloads across multiple projects and apply time management best practices to achieve grant and strategic outcomes for complex portfolios
• Ability to operate successfully in a relationship-based culture, connecting with community members and stakeholders across varied viewpoints and philosophies
• Clear verbal and written communication, including the ability to explain complex concepts for a variety of audiences and produce concise and engaging written content
• Excellent group facilitation skills
• Attention to detail
• Experience with data gathering and analysis, including using data to drive decisions and continuous improvement

Nice To Haves

• Rural transportation systems (preferred)
• Upper Valley transportation systems (a plus)
• Familiarity with collective impact and Results-Based Accountability a plus

Responsibilities

• Oversee program area portfolios within the larger context of Vital Communities
• Work closely with the Programs Director and other Program Managers to set strategic programmatic priorities for the organization
• Develop and manage annual program area budgets based on complex braided funding from government, corporate, foundation, and individual donors with varying levels of restriction
• Apply systems thinking to program design and delivery
• Collaborate with fellow Program Managers on cross-cutting initiatives
• Supervise and conduct ongoing assessment and evaluation activities to ensure programming aligns with both organizational goals and community priorities and to identify emerging opportunities for innovative solutions and new partnerships
• Advocate for program area needs and represent input from direct report staff -- including differing viewpoints and ideas for improving operations – in communications with directors and other program managers
• Manage program area staff
• Supervise project managers, coordinators, and interns
• Work with program team to build out annual workplans, monitor and adapt as needed for successful outcomes
• Offer coaching and thought partnership to direct reports
• Steer program area sustainability
• Identify strategic funding opportunities for program portfolio stability and growth
• Contribute to successful grant proposals in collaboration with the Development team
• Encourage program area investment through donor meetings and written reports
• Implement programs
• Conduct hands-on project work
• Incorporate partner and community input into program and project design, delivery, and evaluation
• Serve as an internal consultant to other program areas
• Collaborate to strengthen Upper Valley program partners, networks, and systems
• Expand strategic partnerships by identifying new opportunities and maintaining existing relationships
• Identify opportunities to uplift and support the work of partner organizations, including when to step up and when to step back in collaborations with stakeholders and community members
• Represent Vital Communities in regional, state, and Upper Valley program networks

Benefits

• Mileage and travel time compensated

What This Job Offers

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