Program Manager, Long Island Sound

Reports to: Program Director, Long Island Sound

Employment: Full-time; exempt

Location: Remote; Individuals must live in Connecticut or New York within the Long Island Sound watershed area.

Travel : Approximately 20% throughout the region, including partner meetings, site visits, trainings, and events

Compensation and benefits: $80,000 to $88,000 per year, see below

About RAE and LISCIF

Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) is a national organization dedicated to coastal restoration and protection through on-the-ground projects, practitioner education, community engagement, and advocacy. The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) advances environmental justice and community resilience across the Long Island Sound watershed by funding community-led projects, providing technical assistance and organizational capacity building, and connecting organizations and practitioners across the region.

Position Purpose

The Program Manager leads day-to-day implementation of LISCIF’s competitive grantmaking, technical assistance, and regional learning activities. The position is a primary contact for applicants and subrecipients and helps community-based organizations develop strong applications, carry out funded projects, navigate grant requirements, and share results. The Program Manager combines program leadership with hands-on management of the LISCIF application and award cycle, budget and invoice review, compliance coordination, and partner training.

The Program Manager leads programmatic review, project support, and partner relationships. In partnership with the Grants Administrator, the position coordinates application and award workflows, documentation, agreements, Euna records, and invoice routing. Program staff assess programmatic fit, scope, progress, and deliverable acceptance; administrative and compliance reviews and approvals follow RAE’s established roles and procedures.

Key responsibilities

LISCIF planning and competitive grant cycle

• Maintain the LISCIF workplan, schedule, and program records; align activities with Long Island Sound Partnership priorities, applicable award requirements, and community needs.
• Develop and update Requests for Proposals, application materials, eligibility guidance, scoring criteria, and applicant instructions with the Program Director and RAE colleagues.
• Coordinate outreach and applicant support, including information sessions, application questions, technical assistance referrals, and accessible communications for community-based organizations.
• Administer the program-specific application cycle: coordinate form and workflow needs with the Grants Administrator, track submissions, check applications for completeness, organize reviewer materials, document review steps, and coordinate selection recommendations and approvals.
• Communicate application decisions and next steps to applicants; support a smooth transition from approved application to award setup and agreement execution.

Subrecipient award management and project support

• Serve as a primary program contact for LISCIF subrecipients; clarify program expectations, deliverables, milestones, reporting schedules, and available support.
• Help troubleshoot issues around regulatory compliance such as permitting and quality assurance project plans (QAPPS), budgeting
• Work with the Grants Administrator to convert approved applications, scopes, and budgets into complete award records and agreements; coordinate agreement and amendment preparation, routing, and follow-up under RAE procedures.
• Monitor project progress, deliverables, outcomes, and risks; review programmatic reports and coordinate timely follow-up with subrecipients and RAE staff.
• Review subrecipient budgets and invoices for alignment with approved work, progress, and budget categories; identify questions or variances and coordinate administrative, compliance, and payment review with the Grants Administrator and Finance.
• Help subrecipients navigate project implementation needs, such as Quality Assurance Project Plans, permitting, regulator coordination, and reporting, by providing guidance or connecting them with appropriate technical experts.
• Coordinate post-award requests, including budget changes, schedule adjustments, extensions, and scope or deliverable changes; document decisions and obtain required approvals before changes take effect.

Technical assistance, training, and regional learning

• Assess applicant and subrecipient needs and coordinate technical assistance, capacity-building resources, and referrals that help organizations carry out current projects and pursue future funding.
• Plan and deliver training for community-based organizations on grant applications, project management, reporting, financial administration, compliance, and other identified needs; coordinate presenters and stipends when applicable.
• Plan and support the annual LISCIF learning exchange and other peer-to-peer activities that connect community organizations, practitioners, and regional partners.
• Gather input from underserved communities and partners to improve program access, applicant support, and the relevance of LISCIF investments.

Budget, compliance, systems, and results

• Track the LISCIF portfolio budget, award commitments, expenditures, invoice status, and forecast in coordination with the Grants Administrator, Program Director, and Finance; raise emerging issues promptly.
• Help applicants and subrecipients understand applicable award terms and federal requirements; coordinate compliance questions, risk follow-up, and required documentation with the Grants Administrator and Vice President.
• Use Euna to manage LISCIF application and award records, maintain accurate program data, and monitor workflow status; coordinate program-specific workflow, form, training, or reporting needs with the Grants Administrator and Vice President, who share system administration responsibilities.
• Track program outputs and outcomes, maintain accurate impact data, and prepare dashboards, summaries, and information for funder reporting and RAE communications.
• Review the grant cycle after each round and recommend improvements to application materials, workflows, technical assistance, monitoring, and partner experience.

Communications Support

• Collaborate with RAE comms team, Long Island Sound Partnership Comms team and subrecipient Comms teams.
• Assist in coordination of LISCIF press events and other in-person events.

Organization-wide contribution

• Participate in RAE staff, program, and grants management meetings, retreats, and events; contribute to cross-program learning and the Inclusive Coasts Initiative as needed.
• Support a collaborative, respectful, and learning-oriented culture and take on related duties consistent with the position.

Qualifications

Required

• At least seven years of relevant experience in community-based environmental programs, restoration or protection, grantmaking, nonprofit program management, or a closely related area.
• Experience administering competitive funding or subrecipient awards, including application review, award setup, budgets, invoices, reporting, or compliance coordination.
• Working knowledge of federal grants and the ability to interpret award requirements and explain them clearly to community organizations and colleagues.
• Experience supporting community-based or under-resourced organizations through technical assistance, capacity building, training, or partnership-based program delivery.
• Strong project and budget tracking skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple deadlines and award cycles.
• Strong written, verbal, and facilitation skills; ability to communicate complex or sensitive requirements in clear, accessible formats.
• Ability to work independently in a remote setting and collaboratively across a geographically dispersed team; valid driver’s license and ability to travel throughout the watershed.
• Bachelor’s degree required. We welcome applicants with degrees in a range of fields; relevant experience in grantmaking, community development, conservation, or nonprofit program administration will be considered in assessing overall fit.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred

• Experience with EPA or NOAA awards, 2 CFR Part 200, Euna or another grant management system, or environmental justice and community resilience programs.
• Experience in coastal restoration or work supporting the Clean Water Act and Long Island Sound communities.
• Multilingual skills, especially languages spoken in the Long Island Sound watershed.

COMPENSATION

RAE highly values its employees and provides a robust total compensation package. Salary is commensurate with experience for this full-time position, within the range of $80,000 to $88,000 per year. In addition, RAE offers 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums; generous employer 401(k) contributions; liberal PTO; flexible work environment; annual professional development stipends.

TO APPLY

Please send a cover letter and resume to Hiring@estuaries.org, with LISCIF Program Manager on the subject line. Resumes will not be considered without a cover letter. The position is open until filled.

RAE is an Equal Opportunity Employer; women, minorities, and individuals with differing abilities are particularly encouraged to apply. If you meet at least 75% of the qualifications of this description, we encourage you to apply.

Candidates selected for an interview will be notified on a rolling basis. Please email aross@estuaries.org for accommodation requests regarding the application process.

RAE highly values its employees and provides a robust total compensation package. RAE offers 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums; generous employer 401(k) contributions; liberal PTO; flexible work environment; annual professional development stipends.