Program Operations Manager

NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY• US,

2d•$67,000 - $73,000•Remote

About The Position

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is seeking a Program Operations Manager to support the Sanctuary Community Engagement portfolio. This role is responsible for the daily management and administration of operations for assigned programs, focusing on the national initiative to designate six new national marine sanctuaries. The Program Operations Manager will collaborate with Foundation staff and federal partners to operationalize project work, provide detailed review and analysis, and manage application and review processes for grant and contract awards. This position will initially focus on federally funded projects related to public engagement in the sanctuary designation process and is intended to expand to include privately supported programs. The role is critical in growing restoration programs, troubleshooting implementation issues, tracking funds, developing spending priorities, and serving as a point of contact for technical program managers regarding compliance and procurement. The Program Operations Manager will also administer the Foundation’s project and award management database to improve workflow efficiency and track metrics. The position supports a federal cooperative agreement with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries focused on public engagement in the designation process of new national marine sanctuaries. The Foundation is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, equity, and belonging, and seeks to attract and retain a diverse staff.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least 3-5 years of experience in grant administration and/or project management, or 5 years minimum experience in lieu of degree.
Experience working with grant programs.
Experience with basic financial management including developing and monitoring budgets and financial reports.
Ability to perform in a cross-functional team approach and job responsibilities.
Strong organizational skills, with ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines, and produce quality results with attention to detail.
Personable in-person and phone demeanor, diplomatic disposition balanced with ability to defend positions and policies.
Fluency in computer software programs (i.e. Microsoft 365, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and databases) required.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; experience producing reports and proposals.
Candidates must be located in the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia) or in one of the following states: Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Texas, Washington, or Wisconsin.

Nice To Haves

Experience with federal financial assistance award Uniform Guidance compliance and procurement.
Experience managing database programs (prior work on SmartSimple or similar platforms like Knack) as well as intermediate-advanced Excel spreadsheet capabilities.
Some familiarity with government partnership programs.
A sincere interest in, and commitment to, our mission.

Responsibilities

Develop positive relationships and host check-in meetings with program managers and field liaisons to facilitate program implementation and progress toward project completion according to planned timelines, award compliance, and budgetary goals.
Help identify cross-functional opportunities between internal departments, including federal partner programs and privately funded programs.
Ensure program implementation, including overseeing competitive grant programs, is compliant with the Foundation’s policies and procedures and aligns with the strategic plan.
Supervise procurement, logistics, and administration, and coordinate across divisions and teams to ensure operational support systems, including spend plans and metrics for all field activities under the portfolio.
Act as the primary point of contact with grantees, contractors, and subrecipients, maintaining positive awardee relationships, troubleshooting issues, and tracking compliance.
Develop and track agreement details; conduct risk check-ins as may be required by internal determination.
Work on special projects that align with organizational, departmental, and project-related goals.
Track and analyze reported results from grantees and contractors using a project management database.
Influence and provide support for the annual budget process in relation to funded projects in the portfolio.
Support coordination with relevant programs and foster growth by recommending partnership and leadership opportunities aligned with strategic goals and objectives to senior leadership.
Conduct necessary monitoring and site visits, regular phone/video-conference check-ins, and internal document audits of programs and projects in the portfolio.
Keep up-to-date with OMB and agency-specific federal financial assistance award procedures and review and update federal award compliance guidance and procedures documents as needed.
Review invoices, agreements, and other field documentation to ensure compliance.
Work with project teams to ensure proper document collection and storage.
Identify staff needs related to technology, compliance, procurement, etc., and implement solutions.
Convey processes and procedures to staff and partners to maintain alignment with award and internal compliance policies.
Supervise Foundation project employees working in partner agency locations and build an inclusive environment.
Assist in the development of annual SMARTIE performance and professional development goals, support and monitor progress towards goals, and conduct annual performance evaluations.
Approve travel requests, timecards, and time off requests.