Program Manager, Public/Social Service Programs
WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY
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Job summary
Wichita State University’s Public Policy and Management Center seeks a Program Manager to lead senior client engagements and deliver consulting services that improve public service. You will guide strategic planning, community engagement, organizational development, and program delivery across government and nonprofit partners.
Reporting to the Assistant Directors, you will manage project scope, budget, and teams, pursue new business opportunities, and travel across Kansas to meet clients and
Qualifications
- 60 hours of college coursework in social science, applied science, or natural science.
- Four (4) years of experience in applicable program management or related field.
- Knowledge of government, nonprofit processes and public service.
Responsibilities
- Client Management & Strategic Consulting: Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned client engagements.
- Project Leadership: Lead cross-functional project teams and coordinate planning, timelines, and reporting.
- Facilitation & Community Engagement: Design meetings and community engagement activities.
- Business Development & Organizational Growth: Identify opportunities for new business and client growth.
- Organizational Leadership: Demonstrate leadership across projects and organizational initiatives.
Skills
Education
Job description
Public Policy and Management Center
Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus
Full Time
Begins at $70,689/yr, commensurate withqualifications
Mon-Fri, hours vary based on projects/events;work is performed on-site and in person.
No export controlrequirement.
The Program Manager serves as a senior client-facing leaderresponsible for managing and delivering consulting services thatadvance the Public Policy & Public Management Center's missionof strengthening public service and improving outcomes forcommunities. Working closely with local and state governments,nonprofits, associations, and public-private partnerships, thisrole provides strategic leadership for client initiatives includingstrategic planning, community engagement, organizationaldevelopment, and public service improvement projects. The Program Manager leads cross-functional project teams, overseesclient relationships, manages project scope and budgets, andensures successful delivery of consulting services. This positionalso plays a critical role in business development by identifyingopportunities, securing new clients, and supporting growth of theCenter's portfolio. Reporting to the Assistant Directors, the Program Manager leadsproject teams but does not serve as a direct supervisor of staff.Success in this role requires sound judgment, strong facilitationskills, knowledge of government/nonprofit processes, curiosity forthe unique challenges organizations and communities face, and agenuine passion for public service. Travel throughout the state is required and may include day andovernight visits with clients approximately monthly or as projectneeds dictate.
Brings enthusiasm, optimism, and momentum to teams and clientengagements. Helps energize colleagues, clients, and communitystakeholders. Approaches challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset.
Able to evaluate multiple options and identify practical,achievable solutions. Understands the realities of budgets, timelines, politicalenvironments, and organizational capacity. Exercises sound judgment under uncertainty.
Deep commitment to improving communities and strengtheningorganizations. Believes in the value and impact of effective public service. Demonstrates genuine interest in helping clients achieve meaningfuloutcomes.
Takes initiative and follows through on commitments. Assumes responsibility for outcomes and project success. Proactively identifies problems and develops solutions. Maintains high standards of professionalism andresponsiveness.
Understands how communities, stakeholders, volunteers, advocacygroups, and residents engage around public issues. Values collaborative relationships and inclusive engagement. Maintains awareness of community dynamics and publicperspectives.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned public-sector professional whocombines strategic thinking, facilitation expertise, andrelationship-building skills with a genuine commitment to publicservice. They are comfortable leading clients through complexchallenges, navigating governmental environments, managing multipleprojects, and generating new business opportunities. They bring thejudgment, energy, accountability, and presence necessary to helpcommunities and organizations achieve meaningful results.
Manages assigned public service, environmental finance,environmental, or social service program(s) to meet Centerobjectives. May develop and implement program plans. Oversees theday-to-day program, initiative and/or Center activities includingproject schedules, budget tracking and development, and projectand/or program administration.
- Collaborates with senior leaders and internal teams to developprogram, initiative and/or Center goals and infrastructure to alignwith defined business, initiative and/or Center strategy. Maytroubleshoot and improve upon existing processes, procedures orsystems to meet program, initiative and/or Center goals.
- Manages program or initiative through creation of program plans,management tools and reporting capabilities. Performs project research and developsplans to effectively use program, initiative and/or Centerresources. Develops metrics to measure program success againstprogram goals.
- Manages, trains and leads cross-functional teams and/or agencypartnerships and ensures resources are appropriately assigned tomeet goals. Creates strategic partnerships with new or cultivatesexisting customers.
- Proposes and outlines program or project budget according toneeds based on customer and/or leadership consultation. Monitorsand adjusts project and program plans as resource requirementschange.
- Communicates and documents program, initiative and/or Centerquality outcomes and progress metrics to senior leader and/orcustomers.
- Addresses and resolves moderately complex issues and escalates tosenior leadership, as necessary.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned clientengagements.
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with clients acrossgovernment, nonprofit, and community sectors.
- Assess organizational and community needs and translate them intoactionable project strategies.
- Advise clients on planning, implementation, stakeholder engagement,and organizational effectiveness.
- Provide strategic counsel to support client decision-making andproject success.
- Ensure projects align with client objectives, organizationalpriorities, and available resources.
- Lead cross-functional project teams consisting of projectspecialists, project coordinators, and student employees.
- Coordinate project planning, implementation, timelines,deliverables, and reporting.
- Align team resources and activities to meet project goals andclient expectations.
- Monitor project performance, scope, budgets, risks, andoutcomes.
- Hold project team members accountable for deliverables and projectcommitments.
- Identify challenges and proactively develop solutions to maintainmomentum and project success.
- Design and facilitate meetings, workshops, strategic planningsessions, and community engagement activities.
- Guide discussions among community leaders, elected officials,stakeholders, volunteers, and residents.
- Foster productive dialogue and build consensus among diverseinterests and perspectives.
- Apply facilitation and engagement techniques that advance projectgoals and support informed decision-making.
- Represent the Center at public meetings, conferences, and communityevents.
- Identify opportunities for new business and expanded clientservices.
- Support proposal development, presentations, and client onboardingactivities.
- Contribute to growth strategies that strengthen the Center's marketpresence and impact.
- Assist in developing project scopes, budgets, and serviceapproaches.
- Balance business development activities with management of existingclient relationships.
- Demonstrate leadership across projects and organizationalinitiatives.
- Support positive team culture through collaboration,accountability, and professionalism.
- Serve as a trusted advisor and representative of the Center'smission and values.
- Contribute ideas and solutions that improve organizationaleffectiveness and client impact.
- 60 hours of college coursework in social science, appliedscience, or natural science.
- Four (4) years of experience in applicable program managementor related field. An additional 60 hours of college coursework canbe substituted for two (2) years of experience.
None
Ability to lead with confidence, credibility, andprofessionalism. Strong presence in group settings and public forums. Demonstrated ability to motivate teams and drive results. Ability to influence outcomes without formal supervisory authority.
Ability to evaluate complex situations and determine actionablepaths forward. Strong judgment regarding organizational priorities, politicalrealities, resource limitations, and project risks. Skilled at connecting strategy to implementation.
Advanced facilitation and meeting management skills. Strong active listening abilities. Ability to manage diverse stakeholder perspectives and navigatesensitive discussions. Experience designing collaborative engagement processes andstrategic planning sessions.
Understanding of consulting services, project budgeting, andbusiness development. Ability to identify new opportunities and contribute to clientgrowth strategies. Sound decision-making regarding resource allocation and projectmanagement.
Strong understanding of local and/or state government structuresand processes. Knowledge of public-sector decision-making environments. Familiarity with the intersection of government, nonprofit, andcommunity stakeholders.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Ability to develop clear reports, presentations, proposals, andclient communications. Comfortable communicating with elected officials, executiveleaders, community members, and project teams.
Experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines. Strong organizational and coordination skills. Ability to oversee project scope, budgets, schedules, anddeliverables.
- Graduate degree in Public Administration (MPA), Public Policy,Business Administration, or related field.
- Seven (7) years of professional experience in publicadministration, government, nonprofit leadership, public affairs,community development, social services, consulting, or a relatedfield.
- Experience working within or closely alongside local or stategovernment agencies.
- Demonstrated exposure to senior-level decision-makingenvironments involving political, governmental, or communityinfluence.
- Experience managing complex projects and multiple clientrelationships simultaneously.
- Leadership experience directing teams, projects, initiatives, or organizational efforts.
- Experience facilitating stakeholder meetings, planningprocesses, and community engagement activities.
- Consulting experience serving public-sector clients.
- Experience working with community initiatives, strategicplanning, and organizational development projects.
- Familiarity with public-private partnerships and collaborativegovernance models.
Kansas Driver's License
Ability to remain in a stationary position. Frequent 60-90% Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment includingbut not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators.Frequent 60-90% Ability to communicate with others and accurately exchangeinformation. Frequent 60-90%
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