Program Manager (Peace, MBE, OEI)

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Equity and Inclusion (E&I) Department is responsible for advancing antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion across the city through strategy, organizational culture, policy development, and service delivery. We build connections by fostering a workplace and community culture where the rights, dignity, and contributions of every employee, resident, and visitor are valued and protected. The E&I Department has multiple divisions, including the Office of Equity and Inclusion, the Human Rights Commission, the Commission on Immigration Rights and Citizenship, the Police Review and Advisory Board, the Commission on the Status of Women, the LGBTQ+ Commission, the Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Initiative, the Peace Commission, the Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities, and the American Freedman Commission. Together, we collaborate and engage with all City departments, community partners and businesses, other government agencies, and residents to operationalize diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and opportunity.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Program Manager supports the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program, the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI), and the Peace Commission (PC), helping advance the City’s work in civil rights, immigrant inclusion, and police oversight. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Program Manager turns priorities into effective programs, services, and community engagement efforts while ensuring strong collaboration across City departments.

The role leads the planning and implementation of programs, projects, events, and outreach that further the mission of each division. It requires strong organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple initiatives, and the professionalism to represent the department in City and community settings.

The ideal candidate is a creative and analytical problem solver who can adapt quickly, respond to emerging needs, and contribute to both departmental and Citywide goals. A deep commitment to antiracism, equity, inclusion, public service, and the protection of civil and human rights is essential.

The City of Cambridge is committed to a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace, and provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, marital status, or age.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Community Engagement and Program Coordination

• Consistently incorporate equity, inclusion, and anti‑racist principles into decision‑making, program design, and daily work.
• Partner with the Executive Director and department staff to plan, coordinate, and implement public outreach, engagement activities, and educational programming from concept through completion. Examples include the annual MLK Day event and various cultural observance events for employees.
• Manage programs, projects, and internal processes that respond to identified community needs or targeted audiences, with attention to timelines, outcomes, and accountability.
• Provide regular updates on project progress, identify implementation challenges, and recommend adjustments to improve workflow, coordination, and overall program effectiveness.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations, City departments, and external partners (including other municipalities) to support responsive, community-informed programming.

Outreach Materials and Communications

• Design, draft, and coordinate outreach and educational materials, including flyers, brochures, presentations, and other public-facing communications.
• Manage and update City webpages for the OEI up to date to ensure information is accurate, current, and accessible.

Community Inquiries and Public Interface

• Serve as a primary point of contact for incoming inquiries, referrals, and requests.
• Conduct preliminary screening of communications and route matters appropriately within the department or to external partners, as needed.
• Stay informed and current on issues, policies, and emerging trends relevant to the work of each division in order to provide accurate information, guidance, and support to the public and internal stakeholders.

Public Meetings

• Foster an inclusive and welcoming environment where Commissioners and employees feel supported, heard, and valued.
• Coordinate scheduling and logistics for regular department operations, including attending and supporting monthly public meetings of PC (evening meetings).
• Prepare and post meeting notices and agendas, publicize meetings, compile and distribute materials, and draft accurate meeting minutes in compliance with the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law.

General

• Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team to advance broad human rights efforts in multiple, evolving ways.
• Participate in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and opportunities in the City and exemplify ADEI values.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Occasional evening and weekend work hours are required to support divisions’ meetings and programming.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, with at least 3–5 years of relevant experience, or 5–7 years of equivalent professional experience, in project coordination, project management, business analysis, and/or operations.
• Demonstrated community engagement and consensus-building experience, especially involving stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and with diverse interests and opinions; demonstrated ability to relate to the public and co-workers in a positive manner.
• Proven commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging demonstrated through public service and support for marginalized communities or populations, in both professional and personal settings.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must have strong research and writing abilities.
• Must have effective organizational and communication skills.
• Must have the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• The City of Cambridge’s workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

Preferred:

• Bilingual or multilingual skills, with preference for languages commonly spoken in Cambridge (such as Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, or Arabic).
• Familiarity with the Cambridge community.
• Experience working in a human rights, civil rights, or social justice-related field, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse communities.
• Familiarity with project management software such as Smartsheet.
• Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat, Canva, InDesign, and/or other publishing software.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to access, input, and retrieve information from a computer.
• Ability to answer phones and maintain multiple files and be able to lift a minimum of at least 10 pounds.
• Sufficient mobility to travel back and forth to offsite meetings.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Standard office environment with fluorescent lights, air conditioning, computers and other standard office equipment.
• Noise level can be moderate to high when the office is active with phone calls and walk-in claimants.
• This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy depending on operational needs. 

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Vacation and Sick leave eligible
• Sick Incentive Pay Eligible
• 3 Personal days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Management Allowance, $2,700/year
• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the below documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Vacation and Sick leave eligible
• Sick Incentive Pay Eligible
• 3 Personal days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Management Allowance, $2,700/year
• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)