Project Manager, Empower & Protect (Contract)

About NLA and TCS

Since 2016, New Left Accelerator (NLA) and its 501(c)(3) affiliate, The Capacity Shop (TCS), have provided the specialized programs and training that social justice organizations need to do bold work safely. We help groups bridge the gap between ambitious strategy and operational excellence, ensuring leaders can scale their impact without sacrificing legal compliance or integrity. We recognize that to achieve systemic change, organizations must be able to utilize every tool in their toolbox effectively—including multi-entity structures.

Through deep collaboration with field experts, we build the financial and compliance training systems that allow movement organizations to manage risk and remain resilient. Our work is rooted in a commitment to:

• Systemic Change: Equipping organizations to dismantle oppressive structures.
• Operational Power: Building the "back-office" strength required for long-term sustainability.
• A Multi-Entity Lens: Optimizing the diverse legal structures necessary to win.
• Equity-Centered Partnerships: Prioritizing leaders at the intersections of race, gender, and class.

Values-Driven

At NLA, our work is guided by a Theory of Change and Core Values that center equity and deep collaboration. We don’t just provide services; we partner with leaders to ensure the movement ecosystem is sustainable, protected, and prepared to win the most ambitious fights of our time.

Empower & Protect (E&P) Program

The Empower & Protect (E&P) program is designed for scalability across states and 501(c)(4) networks, offering a streamlined approach to operational support. In collaboration with state and network partners, E&P delivers training and essential technical assistance to emerging multi-entity organizations. The program aims to enhance operational capabilities necessary for effective and compliant operations, with a focus on compliance, human resources, and multi-entity financial infrastructure. At NLA, our approach to program execution involves deep state partnership and leader-centric execution, which means that the design of the program is created collaboratively with state partners and is individualized for individual groups. This year, our program aims to scale into 6-8 new states.

Overview

New Left Accelerator is seeking an experienced Project Manager to plan and coordinate the Empower & Protect Program’s multi-state content development initiative. This includes the hand off of finalized, state-specific content for seven states for training and implementation. This role is responsible for managing the end-to-end delivery of 7 state-specific product packages (state workbook, checklists, training modules, and facilitators' guide), implemented through a phased approach.

Rather than launching all states simultaneously, the Project Manager will manage overlapping project cycles—initiating new states while wrapping up others—requiring strong judgment, adaptability, and attention to detail to keep timelines, stakeholders, and deliverables aligned.

This role is best suited for a well-experienced project manager with operations-oriented skills who can interface closely with leadership, legal partners, and cross-functional teams.

The contract term is anticipated to run from May 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, or until completion of all deliverables, whichever occurs first. Due to the scope and complexity of the work, this role requires a high level of effort (near full-time capacity) throughout the contract period. The budgeted hourly rate for this position is $50-$60 per hour.

The Contractor shall demonstrate strong project management discipline, maintain clear and accurate documentation, and ensure consistent progress across all state initiatives. The Contractor shall not be responsible for program strategy or final content decisions but shall be accountable for driving execution, maintaining alignment across stakeholders, and ensuring the timely and successful delivery of all project components.

The priority submission deadline is April 10th, 2026.

Deliverables

Phase 1: Project Planning & Systems

• Develop and maintain detailed project plans for 7 state content initiatives, including
  • Sequencing of state launches - a phased rollout process (e.g., launching two states, initiating the next two as earlier states near completion)
  • Define key milestones, dependencies, and decision points
  • Identify leadership sequencing, expectations, and escalation pathways
  • Set up and maintain an Asana project to track milestones and cross-cutting tasks (legal review, leadership sign-off, revisions, and final)
• Maintain state-by-state timeline outlining:
  • Content development stages
  • Legal review windows
  • Internal review and finalization deadlines
• Identify early risks/bottlenecks related to timing, legal review, or staffing

Phase 2: Scaffolded State Content Implementation

Deliverables (for each state):

• A clearly documented state content development plan
• A tracked and completed content production cycle, including:
  • Development of product draft
  • Legal review and revisions, plus integration of feedback
  • Final approval and readiness for use
• Status snapshot of key milestones (kickoff, mid-point, near completion)
• Tracking progress against timelines and proactively adjusting sequencings
• Management of overlapping state content cycles (e.g., new states kicking off while finalizing earlier ones)

Phase 3: Coordination, Decision Support, and Risk Management

Deliverables:

• Regular project status updates for leadership, highlighting:
  • Progress by state, maintaining real-time visibility into the health of state initiatives
  • Risks, delays, or emerging issues
  • Decisions required to keep projects moving
• Documentation of decision log, including key pivots, approvals, and scope changes
  • Adjusting timelines and workplans in response to shifts
• Ensuring alignment between program, legal, and leadership inputs

Phase 4: Project Closeout & Documentation

Deliverables:

• All 6 state content initiatives are completed and approved, ready for use, and accessible
• Closeout summary including:
  • Final timelines vs original projections
  • Lessons learned and recommendations for future state rollouts
• Centralized project documentation for future use
• Support leadership handoff for implementation

The Project Manager must demonstrate:

• Proven ability to develop and manage detailed project plans, including timelines, dependencies, and deliverables for senior leadership teams
• Highly experienced (7+ years) managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects with concurrent workstreams
• Strong ability to track progress, manage risk, and drive projects to completion under tight timelines
• A strong ability to use project management tools (e.g., Asana or similar)
• Strong writing skills, particularly for documentation, summaries, or process guides
• Familiarity with content development processes

We have a strong preference for someone who:

• Has a current Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Has experience in advocacy, policy, or movement-based organizations
• Has experience in a senior leadership role

Submission Instructions

To be considered for this contract, please submit the following:

• Resume/CV
• Statement of interest, including approach to project management that supports movement building organizations
• PDF with a relevant project management work sample (preferably with the following: timeline, decision points, roles)

The priority submission deadline is April 10th, 2026. We will reach out to selected candidates for conversations on a rolling basis. During the process, we may also request 2-3 professional references.

If you have any questions or access needs, please reach out to Julieta Garibay at julieta@newleftaccelerator.org