Senior Program Manager, Resilient Economies & Communities

The National Association of Counties (NACo), representing America’s 3,069 county governments with 40,000 elected officials, 3.6 million county employees and more than $660 billion in annual community-based investments, seeks a Senior Program Manager for Resilient Economies & Communities.

 Duties of this position include a variety of project-based activities aimed at informing, educating, and assisting county officials across the country in their efforts to improve local services related to improving economic opportunity, supporting place-based investment and advancing upward mobility to move residents out of poverty. 

The position is dependent on the availability of project-based outside funding.

Position Responsibilities and Activities:

• Provide strategic and content expertise pertaining to challenges and opportunities for counties related to the economic development and diversification, intergenerational poverty, upward mobility, equitable access to opportunity and place-based solutions for community prosperity

• Develop, disseminate and promote NACo initiatives for Resilient Economies and Communities in written materials, partner meetings, national webinars, small group convenings and national events

• Manage research, funder, cross-sectoral and intergovernmental partnerships to support peer learning for local leaders, facilitate coaching for under-resourced communities and develop storytelling materials for a national audience

• Advise NACo partners on county roles and authorities in, perspectives on and opportunities for equitable economic development, diversification and anti-poverty initiatives.

• Research best practices and develop educational resources such as webinars, workshops, case studies, toolkits and issue briefs

• Develop, forecast, monitor and ensure adherence to program budgets

• Maintain productive ongoing relationships with NACo members, foundation and corporate funders, federal partners and other NACo departments 

• Identify funding opportunities and lead proposal development for future projects related to equitable economic development and diversification to move people out of poverty

• Supervise up to two (2) research intern(s)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Minimum 4 years of experience in economic development, regional planning or related work. Highly qualified candidates will have at least 5 years of program or project management experience in nonprofit, consultancy, academia, public policy, government or foundation sector. Experience working with or for local government a plus but not required

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or equivalent professional experience preferred but not required

• Strong understanding of and/or experience in key areas of equitable economic development, such as workforce development, economic diversification strategies, inter-generational poverty, community development, entrepreneurship, housing, industrial growth, manufacturing and/or rural/urban/regional planning.

• Federal grants management experience is a plus but not required

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including in public speaking and conducting formal meetings with internal and external stakeholders 

• Ability to manage multiple projects without compromising quality or timely delivery.

• Strong project management experience preferred

• Brings collaboration, innovative ideas and creativity to the position and work products; works well as part of a team and with external partners 

• Ability to work well in a political environment while maintaining non-partisan perspective

• Ability to work well with external partners, including communities and stakeholders from ideologically, racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds

Teammates of NACo enjoy a fun and challenging environment with a wide range of competitive benefits, including comprehensive medical, vision and dental insurance; generous paid leave and federal holidays; transportation subsidy; tuition assistance; 401(k) match, pension plans, group life insurance, voluntary payroll deductions for pet insurance and credit union membership, and short/long term disability coverage including applicable parental leave.