Manager, Public Service Leadership Institute

ORGANIZATION 

The Partnership for Public Service is the only nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. We believe that our future and our democracy depend on our ability to solve big problems—and that we need an effective federal government to do so. For more than 20 years, we have helped make this vision a reality, helping our government—the public institution most fundamental to our democracy—address current and future challenges.    

Our work is strategic, fast-paced and guided by our values: 

• Passion for public service and our work toward a more effective government 
• People who promote a culture of learning, leadership, collaboration, inclusion and respect 
• Persistence to drive change, take strategic risks and deliver results 
• Promise to be trustworthy, nonpartisan and fiscally responsible 

We hire smart and friendly people who are great at what they do and good to one another in the process. 

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The Partnership for Public Service seeks a manager to amplify the work of the Public Service Leadership Institute by engaging with external stakeholders, building community among the Institute’s program alumni, supporting management of a premier public service leadership conference, and leading other events and projects that establish the Institute as the preeminent source of public service leadership programs, policies and perspectives. The manager will report to the Institute’s strategy lead and work closely with the Vice President of Public Service Leadership, the Institute’s program managers, the Institute’s leadership development subject matter experts and members of the broader Partnership for Public Service team. 

The manager will manage projects and initiatives that renew and sustain a community of program alumni as well as strengthen relationships with external stakeholders. The manager will also establish and execute plans to help raise the public profile of the Institute, including by playing a key role in managing a premier public service leadership conference, supporting the advancement of thought leadership, and leading people towards shared goals. 

This position is ideal for a collaborative, entrepreneurial manager with a passion for public service leadership and strong skills in project management, community-building, event planning, relationship-building and written and verbal communication. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Develop and implement plans that, aligned to the Public Service Leadership Institute’s strategy, help foster and strengthen relationships with external stakeholders 
• Manage projects, initiatives and events that advance the Institute’s mission and external profile 
• Lead strategy and implementation of renewing, strengthening and sustaining community among the Institute’s program alumni 
• Play a key role in the Institute’s efforts to plan for a public service leadership conference, including management of and delegation to staff, coordination and relationship management with external and external partners  
• Partner with members of the Institute team to help amplify the importance of public service leadership and establish the Institute as a thought leader in the space 
• Engage internal and external content experts – including program alumni, program coaches and facilitators, Partnership senior leaders and the Government Leadership Advisory Council – to contribute their expertise towards the Institute’s community building and thought leadership efforts 
• Work closely with the Institute’s strategy lead and Vice President for Public Service Leadership to align community-building and thought leadership efforts with the broader Institute strategy and organizational strategy 
• Collaborate and coordinate with other internal teams, including the communications, research, government affairs and development teams  
• Manage people to ensure effective implementation of project and initiatives 

KEY COMPETENCIES 

• Excellent project and people management skills, including prioritizing, organizing, delegating and planning work 
• An understanding of building community and fostering partnerships 
• Strong event management skills 
• Highly collaborative, with exceptional ability to coordinate across internal teams, program alumni, external partners and other stakeholder groups 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Creativity to generate new ideas and proactivity to implement them 
• Excellent attention to detail 
• Ability to handle challenges and obstacles with tact, diplomacy and flexibility 
• Ability to quickly build credibility and trust with stakeholders and navigate relationships with savvy 
• Adept at working in a fast-paced and high-energy environment. 
• Commitment to the values of public service, the mission of the Partnership for Public Service, and diversity, equity and inclusion.  

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

• Five to seven years of relevant work experience, including project and event management. 
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work or military experience required. 
• Experience engaging with external partners, building community, and contributing to external communications or thought leadership efforts. 
• Prior supervisory responsibilities preferred. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY/REPORTING STRUCTURE 

This position will report to the strategy lead (Senior Manager) of the Public Service Leadership Institute. The manager may directly or indirectly supervise associate managers, associates, and/or interns. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

This job operates in a hybrid (remote + office) environment in Washington, DC, and requires the candidate to be a permanent resident in the Washington, DC, Maryland or Virginia area. The person in this role is expected to work in the office, on average, two days per week. This position requires consistent use of office equipment such as computer, telephone, printer/scanner and MS Office.      

In assessing employee performance at the Partnership, we consider collaboration, results, demonstration of our values and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Our performance review process runs the calendar year; we conduct a performance check-in at mid-year and complete a formal full-year assessment at year end. Salary increases are based on the full-year performance assessment.    

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK 

This is a full-time, exempt position with regular work hours Monday-Friday. Occasional evening or weekend activities may be required. Please note that the Partnership allows flexibility in work schedules. 

TRAVEL 

If travel occurs, it is usually during the business day. Some out of the area and/or overnight travel may occasionally be required. 

AAP/EEO STATEMENT 

The Partnership is an inclusive organization that fosters learning, collaboration and respect. We actively recruit for diversity in our workplace, believing that a range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences contributes to our mission of revitalizing government. The Partnership for Public Service is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, caste, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, veteran status, disability; or on any other basis prohibited by law.       

SALARY AND BENEFITS 

The starting salary range for this position is $70,000-$95,000. The Partnership offers a compensation package that includes a competitive salary; medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; long- and short-term disability insurance; a 401(k) program with a 4 percent employer match; opportunities for training and development; commuter benefits; 15 days of annual leave per year, 10 days of sick leave per year, plus all federal holidays and the day after Thanksgiving off; and use of an on-site exercise facility.