SOS Program Manager

State of Nebraska • Lincoln, NE

5d • $25

About The Position

The Program Manager serves as the senior operational and administrative leader responsible for overseeing the implementation, coordination, and ongoing administration of the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Program. This position advises the Executive Director and Commissioners on program policy, operational issues, and administrative strategy, and participates in long term planning and program development to support the program’s growth, effectiveness, and compliance. The role exercises decision making authority over day-to-day administrative operations to ensure policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements are applied consistently and efficiently. This position also holds responsibility for program strategy and systems development, including creating and carrying out comprehensive program plans with defined goals, funding strategies, and performance measures. The Program Manager develops and maintains monitoring and evaluation systems to measure program effectiveness, reviews organizational structure and workflows to improve efficiency and coordination, and establishes quality assurance processes that support reliable, accountable operations. The role operates with a high level of independent responsibility for program administration while reporting to the Program Director on overall policy direction, major initiatives, and strategic priorities. This is a temporary position expected to last until 6/12/26.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public or business administration, accounting or any discipline related to the work assigned.
• One year of experience in planning, organizing, and implementing program administrative or business financial functions.
• Experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex issues, identify risks, and recommend operational solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical or regulatory requirements to varied audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively with agency leadership, staff, state agencies, vendors, and stakeholders, and to serve as a professional program representative.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in program administration, regulatory operations, public-sector management.
• Experience working with contracts, procurements, including developing scopes of work or evaluating proposals.
• Experience developing policies, procedures, guidance documents, or administrative frameworks in a regulatory or compliance environment.
• Experience with budget development, fiscal monitoring, or program financial administration.
• Experience working with data systems, case management platforms, licensing systems, or regulatory databases preferred.

Responsibilities

• Program Administration & Operational Leadership Directs the day-to-day administrative and operational management of the Medical Cannabis Program to ensure statutory, regulatory, and Commission objectives are met.
• Develops, implements, and maintains program-administrative workflows, procedures, internal controls, and documentation standards to ensure consistency, accountability, and operational efficiency.
• Designs and manages program monitoring and evaluation systems to assess effectiveness, identify operational risks, and recommend improvements.
• Analyzes organizational processes and recommends adjustments to workflows, staffing coordination, and administrative structure to improve program performance.
• Regulatory Implementation & Policy Administration Interprets and applies state statutes, Commission rules, and regulatory directives to guide program operations and administrative decisions.
• Drafts, reviews, and implements operational policies, procedures, and guidance necessary to carry out Commission rulemaking and regulatory requirements.
• Conducts research and analysis of regulatory models and best practices to support program policy development and compliance strategy.
• Advises program leadership on operational impacts, compliance risks, and administrative considerations related to regulatory and legislative changes.
• Fiscal & Budget Administration Assists in developing and managing program budget proposals, expenditure tracking, and fiscal planning for program operations, contracts, and system costs.
• Compiles financial and operational data to support budget requests, reporting requirements, and fiscal analysis.
• Develops and maintains documentation procedures and financial monitoring processes to support accountability and audit readiness.
• Procurement, Contracts & Vendor Oversight Develops scopes of work, bid specifications, and procurement documentation for program systems, services, and operational needs.
• Evaluates proposals, assists with scoring processes, and coordinates procurement activities in accordance with state requirements.
• Monitors vendor performance, contract compliance, deliverables, and timelines to ensure reliable system and service implementation.
• Resolves administrative and operational issues related to vendor services, contracts, and system functionality.
• Systems & Program Infrastructure Management Serves as the program lead for technology and operational systems, including licensing platforms, registry systems, and regulatory tracking tools.
• Coordinates system design, configuration, testing, issue resolution, enhancements, and implementation timelines.
• Establishes procedures and controls to ensure system integrity, data accuracy, and reliable program infrastructure.
• Stakeholder & Interagency Coordination Serves as a primary program liaison with state agencies, vendors, licensees, applicants, and stakeholders to coordinate program operations and resolve administrative matters.
• Represents program operations in meetings, hearings, and coordination efforts related to administrative, regulatory, and implementation activities.
• Develops informational materials, operational guidance, and program communications to support stakeholder understanding of program requirements.
• Licensing & Compliance Program Administration Oversees administrative processes supporting application intake, completeness review, workflow tracking, and licensing system coordination.
• Supports development of compliance monitoring procedures, recordkeeping standards, and administrative review processes.
• Coordinates information flow between licensing, compliance, and operational functions to ensure consistent program administration.
• Program Planning & Strategic Support Participates in long-range planning and program development activities to support sustainable program growth and operational readiness.
• Develops program-administrative plans that include goals, implementation steps, constraints, performance metrics, and timelines.
• Coordinates special initiatives and cross-functional projects to remove operational barriers and advance program objectives.
• Other duties within the scope of the classification.

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life.
• Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.
• For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

What This Job Offers

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