Program Manager/Senior Program Manager

Position DescriptionThe National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation is seeking a professional to fill a new role in transportation and regional economic development projects. Depending on the successful applicant's professional experience, this role may be filled at the Program Manager or Senior Program Manager level.The Program Manager/Senior Program Manager implements a work program of research, training, technical assistance, and peer learning activities that support U.S. regional planning and development organizations in pursuing transportation, economic development, and regional planning initiatives, particularly in small metro and rural areas. This entails conducting research to support practitioners, building organizational and institutional capacity at regional development organizations, and creating tools, training, and communications. This work helps to ensure regional organizations and the local communities they serve are equipped to participate in today’s global economy and respond to shifting economic, political, demographic, and environmental landscapes. With guidance from the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director, this position works on a team led by the Associate Director to fulfill the goals of NADO and the NADO Research Foundation programs.Specific ResponsibilitiesThe Program Manager and Senior Program Manager-level positions fulfill similar work functions, although with different levels of supervision and responsibility. At the Program Manager-level position, responsibilities include:Develop and maintain a general understanding of regional development organizations, their programs, and their partnerships.Communicate with regional development organization professionals and other stakeholders regarding transportation and related topics by phone, email, in person, or virtual platforms.Follow project research plans to collect information from written sources, stakeholder interviews, or other methods; document research methods, sources, and findings; recommend additional research and analysis activities.Prepare or contribute to research materials that describe programs, policies, and projects, and may draw conclusions or make recommendations based on analysis.Contribute written content for NADO newsletters and websites, publications and reports, online forums, or other media.Assist with coordinating national and regional in-person, virtual, and hybrid events that cover regional transportation and economic development program issues. As appropriate to the event, develop or assist with developing draft agendas; identify and communicate with potential presenters or facilitators; work with other staff to determine event logistics; and assist with marketing to appropriate audiences.Implement programs and initiatives that enhance the professional and organizational capacity of regional planning and development organizations.Other duties as assigned.In addition to responsibilities above, Senior Program Manager-level responsibilities include:Work with stakeholders and partners to develop goals and potential tasks for technical assistance, research, and capacity building projects.Develop and implement project research plans to collect information from written sources, stakeholder interviews, or other methods; document research methods, sources, and findings; recommend additional research and analysis activities.Prepare research materials that describe programs, policies, and projects, and draw conclusions or make recommendations based on analysis.Coordinate national and regional in-person, virtual, and hybrid events that cover issues relating to regional transportation, planning, and economic development programs. As appropriate to the event, develop event agendas; identify and communicate with potential presenters or facilitators; work with other staff to determine event logistics; and market to appropriate audiences.Work independently or with a team to develop proposals for potential future projects.Required Skills/ExperienceThe Program Manager or Senior Program Manager must have:Knowledge of transportation, regional and local planning, community, and/or economic development issues in order to analyze programs, policies, and projects for research, technical assistance, capacity building, or training deliverables.Strong understanding of current issues in America’s small urban and rural communities in order to contribute to deliverables and communicate effectively with practitioners.Strong written and verbal communication skills. Communication in this position is essential in order to gather information from other professionals and the public, communicate with management and other staff, and effectively represent NADO and the NADO Research Foundation to other organizations. This includes the ability to build relationships with member organizations, develop strategic alliances with other entities, interact with federal funding partners and potential funders, and participate in national, state, and regional events.Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, as well as Adobe Acrobat Pro, is required. Successful candidates will also have a level of proficiency with various virtual meeting and training platforms including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, the GoToMeeting suite of training programs, or others.Familiarity with or willingness to learn the basics of publishing content to websites using a content management system.Experience in following a research plan to identify sources, collect and analyze information, and present findings in a report.Skills to serve as an effective team player.To qualify at the Senior Program Manager level, a candidate must also possess:At least five years of research or program management experience.Experience independently creating and implementing a research plan to identify sources, collect and analyze information, develop or identify supporting graphs or imagery to support analysis, and present findings in written reports and verbal presentations.Educational RequirementsBachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred in public administration, public policy, urban and regional planning, economic development, transportation, social sciences, or related major. Work experience may substitute for preferred educational background.Supervisory ControlsThe Program Manager/Senior Program Manager works under the daily general supervision of the Associate Director who will assign tasks, monitor progress on projects and provide guidance, information, or editorial review, and project assignments. The Program Manager/Senior Program Manager coordinates and carries out successive steps in completing projects.ComplexityThe Program Manager/Senior Program Manager’s assignments are varied in scope and complexity. The Program Manager/Senior Program Manager must react to changing situations and design comprehensive solutions to satisfy management objectives and project deliverables. The Program Manager/Senior Program Manager is expected to exercise tact and sound judgment in day-to-day activities and contacts with other organizations. The Program Manager/Senior Program Manager is expected to promptly notify supervisor or senior staff of potential problem areas.Physical DemandsThe work is generally sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. The work requires frequent computer and telephone use. Occasional domestic travel is required to attend conferences and events, conduct technical assistance site visits, or travel to other locations for production of project deliverables. This is a full-time position. The NADO office is located in Washington, DC, and is designed to offer a hybrid work experience with staff working from home and in the office as needed or desired. Preference is for the Program Manager/Senior Program Manager to be located in the Washington, DC, area, but working remotely from within the United States will be considered.Compensation and BenefitsCompetitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Full benefits include medical, dental, vision, retirement, and annual leave.Salary ranges are:Program Manager:

$58,400 - $73,000Senior Program Manager:

$65,200 - $81,500Application ProcessApplications will be accepted through ADP Workforce Now.

Applicants must submit a cover letter not to exceed two pages (explaining why you are interested in the position and working at NADO, and how your skills and experiences meet the position requirements), resume, and a brief (2 pages) writing sample.Additional informationThe ideal start date for this position is October 1, 2024, or earlier. This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the original posting date.

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