Manager of Program Initiatives

POSITION SUMMARY

The Paul Angell Foundation Programs Department is responsible for setting and executing philanthropic strategies and investments for the foundation. The Manager of Program Initiatives will serve as a key partner to the Vice President of Programs (VP of Programs), helping coordinate and execute projects, processes, and priorities across Paul Angell’s growing Programs Department. This role will provide project management and coordination across program areas, helping translate departmental priorities into clear plans, actions, and outcomes.

Working closely with the VP of Programs, Program Directors, and other program staff, the Manager of Program Initiatives will manage department-wide projects and processes, coordinate cross-program initiatives, support Board planning and preparation, and strengthen communication and information sharing across the Programs Department. The role will help ensure that projects involving multiple teams and stakeholders remain organized, coordinated, and moving forward.

As Paul Angell continues to grow and evolve, the Manager of Program Initiatives will also play an important role in supporting change within the Programs Department. They will help implement new processes, structures, and ways of working; anticipate how changes may affect teams; and support clear communication, coordination, and adoption. The Manager of Program Initiatives should be comfortable navigating ambiguity and helping others move through change with clarity, empathy, and a focus on implementation.

This person will also support the VP of Programs in coordinating team convenings and learning opportunities, conducting research, developing presentations and materials, and tracking action items and deliverables. They will work across program teams and partner with Grants Management, Talent and Culture, Operations, and other functions to advance shared organizational priorities.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized and collaborative project manager who is comfortable navigating complexity, growth, and change. They will be able to balance strategic context with detailed execution, build trust across teams, and create structure in an organization where priorities, teams, and ways of working continue to evolve.

Project Management and Execution

- Manage key projects and processes in support of the Vice President of Programs and the broader Programs Department from planning through implementation.

- Develop project plans, timelines, milestones, deliverables, and systems for tracking progress and accountability.

- Coordinate complex projects involving multiple program areas, departments, and stakeholders.

- Translate priorities and decisions into clear action items, responsibilities, timelines, and next steps.

- Proactively identify dependencies, risks, outstanding decisions, and barriers to implementation and work with appropriate partners to address them.

- Coordinate committees, working groups, and special projects with and on behalf of the VP of Programs.

Program Leadership and Department Coordination

- Serve as a project management partner to the Vice President of Programs, helping organize and advance department-wide priorities.

- Coordinate Program Director meetings, including agendas, materials, decisions, action items, and follow-up.

- Strengthen communication and information flow among the Vice President, Program Directors, program teams, and other departments.

- Support the Vice President of Programs in planning Programs Department meetings, retreats, learning opportunities, and team convenings.

- Manage shared departmental information, resources, tools, and processes that help program teams work effectively.

- Conduct research and develop presentations, briefing materials, summaries, and other resources to support program leadership and decision-making.

Change Management and Organizational Growth

- Support the Vice President of Programs and Program Directors in implementing changes related to organizational growth, evolving strategies, team structures, processes, and ways of working.

- Develop implementation plans, communication approaches, tools, and resources that help staff understand and successfully adopt changes.

- Anticipate how organizational and departmental changes may affect program teams and identifyopportunities to strengthen communication, coordination, and adoption.

- Gather feedback from staff and stakeholders, identify themes and challenges, and help leadership adjust approaches when appropriate.

- Partner with Talent and Culture and other teams on organizational change and training initiatives that affect the Programs Department.

- Help create an environment where staff can navigate change constructively, ask questions, provide feedback, and adapt as Paul Angell continues to evolve.

Board and Organizational Planning

- Support the Vice President of Programs and Program Directors in planning and coordinating the Programs Department’s contributions to Board meetings.

- Manage timelines and coordinate program-related Board agendas, grantmaking dockets, presentations, and supporting materials.

- Work with Program Directors, Grants Management, and other staff to ensure Board materials are clear, accurate, consistent, and completed on time.

- Coordinate follow-up on program-related Board decisions, questions, and action items.

- Support the development of materials that communicate Paul Angell’s grantmaking, learning, impact, and programmatic priorities.

- Support broader organizational planning efforts and special initiatives involving the Programs Department.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration and Program Operations

- Partner with Grants Management to strengthen processes and coordination related to Paul Angell’s grantmaking.

- Collaborate with Talent and Culture, Finance, Operations, and other teams on projects and initiatives involving the Programs Department.

- Coordinate cross-departmental projects, ensuring responsibilities, timelines, decisions, and next steps are clearly documented and communicated.

- Identify opportunities to improve processes, information sharing, and ways of working across program areas and organizational functions.

- Coordinate complex internal and external meetings, convenings, and events connected to departmental projects and priorities.

- Develop agendas, presentations, meeting materials, documentation, and other resources needed to effectively execute department-wide work.

Experience and Qualifications

- 8+ years of relevant professional experience.

- 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in project management, program management, organizational development, nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, consulting, operations, or related fields.

- Demonstrated experience managing complex projects from planning through implementation, including coordinating multiple stakeholders, timelines, deliverables, and competing priorities.

- Experience supporting teams or organizations through periods of growth and change, including implementing new processes, systems, structures, or ways of working.

- Experience working across teams and functions and building effective relationships with staff at different levels of an organization.

- Experience working with senior leaders and translating strategic priorities into actionable plans, projects, and processes.

- Experience developing presentations, project plans, meeting materials, written summaries, and other resources for senior-level audiences; experience supporting Board or executive-level work is preferred.

- Experience in philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, or another mission-driven environment is preferred

Skills and Competencies

- Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

- Strategic thinker with strong analytical and project management abilities

- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work autonomously as well as within a team

- Commitment to equity and justice in grantmaking, operations, and organizational culture.

- Demonstrated experience in building and supporting strong and trusted internal collaboration.

- Ability to travel periodically for site visits, convenings, and conferences

- Operates with a deep understanding of equity and values diversity in all aspects of the work.

- Exhibits awareness of and works to address one’s own privileges, biases, and cultural preferences and how they impact collaboration.

- Skilled in building and maintaining authentic relationships with diverse stakeholders.

- Demonstrates the values of the Foundation, including Excellence, Respect, Humility, Authenticity, and Collaboration.

- A lifelong learner who brings a growth mindset and is energized by contributing to an evolving organizational culture

- Capable of processing complex information and making sound decisions.

- Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment and manage change effectively

- An empathetic and thoughtful contributor to internal culture-building efforts during a time of growth and organizational development

- Maintains confidentiality in all matters related to the foundation and its stakeholders

- Collaborative, adaptable, and organized, balancing multiple priorities with clarity and calm

- Constructive and solution-oriented, offering feedback with respect and care

- Resilient and steady under pressure, helping maintain focus and perspective

While employed in this position, the employee may be required to perform other assignments not listed in this job description. The employee is an employee at will, meaning that either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time by written notice to the other. Nothing in this job description is to be deemed to create a contract of employment for a specific period.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The position is a salaried, exempt, full-time role with a starting salary range of $130,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on professional and lived experience.

Additionally, the Paul Angell Foundation offers a highly competitive comprehensive benefits package including:

- Healthcare: 100% paid Platinum PPO health insurance premium for employees and 80% for dependents or family.

- Dental and Vision: 100% paid premium for employees, dependents, and family.

- 403b retirement savings plan employer contributions match: After three months of employment, the Foundation will contribute up to 12% of the employee’s salary.

- In addition to vacation, holidays, wellness, and sick days, the Paul Angell Foundation offices are closed from December 26th through New Year’s Day annually and employees’ salaries are paid during this closure.

- Twelve weeks of paid parental leave for a birth parent, non-birth parent, or adoption.

- We are committed to supporting your growth through professional development funds, tailored to your role and learning needs. We provide opportunities for collaboration, skill-building, and the time and space to grow in your career.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

- Currently, the position functions within a hybrid working environment with alternating remote and two to three on-site workdays and may have in-person obligations that grow over time.

- Role requires frequent travel for site visits, convenings, and conferences

- Occasional evening and weekend work is sometimes required.

- Occasional out-of-town travel is required.

- Must have reliable transportation for work-related duties.

- The Foundation maintains a smoke-free and drug-free work environment in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear and use hands to operate equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, and filing cabinets. Reasonable accommodation will enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

- This position is at-will, meaning either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time with written notice. Nothing in this job description is to be construed as creating a contract for employment for a specific duration.

OUR DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY CORE VALUE

Paul Angell Foundation is committed to equal employment opportunity and to compliance with applicable local, state, and federal antidiscrimination laws which prohibit discrimination and harassment against any employees or applicants for employment based on their actual or perceived race, color, religion, age, ancestry, marital status, protective order status, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, work authorization status, pregnancy and the potential or intention to become pregnant, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, status as a victim of domestic, sexual, gender or criminal violence, certain arrest or criminal history records, lack of a permanent mailing address or a mailing address that is a shelter or social services provider, and use of lawful products outside of work during non-working hours.

We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon these characteristics or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply submit an application here!

You will be asked to submit the following:

- Resume

- Cover letter highlighting your experience and your ability to excel in this role

- Expected start date: January 2027

All applications must be submitted by: October 25 at 11:59 PM CT

We hope you’re excited about this role! To keep the process fair and equitable, we will not be holding informal meetings. We encourage everyone interested in applying, and if you need accommodation, please contact  [email protected] .