World Fire Congress Program Manager

National Fire Protection Association•Quincy, MA

just now

About The Position

The National Fire Protection Association’s mission is to help save lives and reduce loss with information, knowledge, and passion. Established in 1896, we are dedicated to the elimination of death, injury, and property and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. The Association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. To better meet the needs of those who rely on our information and knowledge to keep people and property safe, we are amidst a transformation to expand our influence and further our safety mission. We are becoming increasingly digital and global to grow, thrive, and save more lives from fire, electrical, and other hazards. To accomplish this, we need effective leaders at all levels of the Association who understand what we are striving for, why it is important, and how to execute our vision and who passionately want to see NFPA through this important stage. It is an exciting and empowering time to work at NFPA! NFPA is looking to add a World Fire Congress Program Manager to the Outreach & Advocacy team! As part of our expanding international mission, NFPA—alongside the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (Metro)—oversees the World Fire Congress (WFC), a collaborative forum of national and international fire service associations, public-safety leaders, researchers, and technical experts committed to voluntary, unrestricted knowledge sharing. The World Fire Congress Program Manager will play a central role in ensuring the WFC's continuity, growth, and global impact. This position directly supports the Executive Secretary of the Metro Chiefs, who serves as the WFC Lead responsible for coordinating international partners, host nations, and year-round WFC activities. This is a unique opportunity to help strengthen international fire and life safety cooperation, expand participation among countries worldwide, and support a high-visibility, global initiative. The Program Manager oversees WFC operations, supports governance functions, aligns with Communities of Practice (CoPs), facilitates global engagement, and advances the founding principles of the WFC—including voluntary, equitable, and unrestricted global knowledge sharing. The ideal candidate is a highly organized project manager with strong communication skills, experience supporting executive-level leaders, and the ability to collaborate effectively across cultures and time zones.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, International Affairs, Emergency Management, Project Management, or related field.
Minimum 5 years of relevant program or project management experience.
Experience in association management, government affairs, or international coordination preferred.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to prepare briefings, reports, and presentations.
Demonstrate meticulous attention to detail
Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
Proficiency with project management tools and virtual collaboration platforms.
Ability to maintain programmatic excellence, manage operational systems, and ensure quality and accountability.
Strong organizational discipline with the ability to coordinate multi-year, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
Experience supporting boards, committees, or senior leadership groups with high-quality documentation and guidance.
Ability to support strategic planning, monitor progress, and facilitate leadership decision-making.
Ability to assess program needs, analyze challenges, identify opportunities, and recommend strategies.
Superior writing, editing, and presentation abilities for global audiences.
Ability to translate complex information into accessible products.
Ability to work effectively with multiple cultures, languages, and international partners.
Strong commitment to global equity and representation.
Skill in establishing partnerships with government leaders, associations, vendors, and community stakeholders.
Experience with document management, workflow tracking, and performance evaluation systems.