Project Manager

About Us:

CA FWD is a multi-partisan, multi-issue nonprofit organization committed to promoting a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive economic growth model within and across every region of California. Our staff reflects the diversity of California’s population and works from a variety of locations throughout the state. CA FWD team members are passionate about the mission of the organization and are knowledgeable, articulate, thorough, and responsive. Individuals enjoy working as part of a group, have excellent time-management and communication skills, the ability to multitask and meet deadlines, and in general help the organization “punch above its weight.”

Location: Remote, CA residency required.

Start date: Ideally, the successful candidate will start August 18, 2025 or earlier.

Salary Range: $70,000 to $80,000 depending on experience. This is an exempt position and includes a generous benefit package.

Project Managers at California Forward (CA FWD) support the CEO and organizational leadership in the management and coordination of a suite of programs, initiatives, special projects, and events within CA FWD, as well as its partners at the California Stewardship Network. In taking on this role, the Project Manager will support the research, planning, strategy development, and implementation to advance the organization’s strategic priorities.

The Project Manager will report to and work generally under the direction of the Executive Director of the California Stewardship Network (though individual initiatives may have other leaders), and in coordination with other CA FWD staff, consultants, and partners, to effectively plan and implement specific components of program and project activities. This position will support two key elements of CA FWD’s “Regions Up” agenda: the Becky Morgan Steward Leadership (Morgan Fellows) Program and the Regions Up Workgroup and related advocacy efforts. This role will also support additional programs and initiatives, including the California Economic Summit and other core assets toward achieving regional and statewide goals.

Duties include:

• Oversee the strategic planning, design, and implementation of the Morgan Fellows program, including:
  • Develop programmatic objectives and strategies that are aligned with the organization's and the California Stewardship Network’s (CSN) overall goals and values
  • Develop and monitor relevant budgets and timelines
  • Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness, and make recommendations for improvements as needed
  • Prepare reports and presentations to communicate progress and outcomes to relevant stakeholders
  • Participate in weekly check-in meetings with Executive Director of CSN to learn more about CSN and Morgan Fellows program and assess progress of tasks and job duties
  • Conduct a literature review of existing Morgan Fellows program materials to gain a better understanding of the program
• Manage all aspects of the Morgan Fellows program, including:
  • Coordinate program support from other CA FWD staff, consultants, and CSN Members, including coordination with the CA FWD Young Leaders Program (YLP)
  • Coordinate all logistical elements of program implementation
  • Supervise an Intern who is assisting with developing key performance indicators (KPIs) for program and meet with them weekly to assess progress
  • Support (through agendas, meeting materials, and follow up) and participate in all CSN Morgan Fellows Committee meetings
  • Annual program recruitment process with CSN Members, in coordination with Executive Director of CSN
  • Implementation of learning and training curriculum activities
  • In coordination with Executive Director of CSN, involve CSN Members in the planning, design, and implementation of program structure and curriculum
  • Participate in CSN Membership Meetings and Exchanges to provide update on progress of the Morgan Fellows and Regions Up programs
  • Alumni network management and engagement
  • Strategic partnership opportunities with other mid-career leadership development programs in California
  • Support the Director of Communications on all program-related media and communication activities, including social media outreach and amplification
• Support the Regions-Up agenda, including the stakeholder Working Group and related advocacy efforts:
  • Provide administrative support, including: scheduling Workgroup and Workgroup Co-Chair meetings; preparing meeting agendas; and tracking action/follow up items.
  • Support notetaking of workgroup meetings and other related meetings of the initiative, including producing summaries from meeting recordings and/or transcriptions.
  • Provide writing/research assistance for reports/blogs on an as-needed basis.
  • Collaborate on design of Regions Up plenary and breakout sessions at the California Economic Summit.
  • Support Workgroup activities post-California Economic Summit, including advocacy efforts coming out of the Summit.
  • Be an overall thought partner and participant in Work group activities
• Support advancement of CA FWD priorities across other program areas, including:
  • Developing and refining an individual work plan that complements other staff work plans and is aligned with the mission and goals of the organization
  • Supporting and managing activities in the lead up to and implementation of the organization’s annual conference (the California Economic Summit) and other events
  • Responding to grant opportunities and written requests for proposals
  • Assistance or management of special projects, as assigned
• Contribute to the development of CA FWD papers, briefs, annual reports, blog posts, and other written pieces, as needed
• Support and collaborate across CA FWD on special projects, as needed
• Participate in other organizational meetings and activities, as appropriate
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Honor yourself while honoring your work and the work of others

Ideal Candidate:

• Bachelor’s degree in fields related to education, management, leadership, economics, regional planning, sociology, or social ecology
• At least 3 years’ experience in program management, or related field
• Understanding of regional planning and economic development concepts
• Experience with leadership development programs (local, regional, national, etc.)
• Experience in developing educational curriculum
• Experience in developing key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure progress toward goals and objectives
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Excellent external presentation skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including working in a fully remote team environment
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Detail-oriented, including the ability to manage multiple deliverables simultaneously
• Proficient in Google and Microsoft Workspaces, other project management software (e.g. Asana), and Canva or other design software
• Knowledge of California’s geography
• Knowledge of program budget management
• Ability to work flexible hours as required
• Ability to work in a remote environment
• Ability to travel within California when necessary, including to quarterly in-person staff retreats and the California Economic Summit