Senior Program Manager

Colorado Nonprofit Association; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

First Descents in Denver seeks a Senior Program Manager for Partnerships & Recruitment. Lead the partnerships portfolio across healthcare and nonprofit collaborators, and oversee the recruitment strategy to sustain strong program enrollment.

The role includes managing a team, advancing JEDI initiatives, and representing FD at external events. You will report to the Vice President of Programs and Strategic Initiatives and work in a hybrid model, two days per week in the office, with some travel

Qualifications

• 6 years of relevant nonprofit program management, recruitment, or related experience.
• Proven ability to develop strategic plans that maximize partnerships.
• Experience leading teams with multiple direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead FD’s partnership strategy with healthcare and advocacy partners.
• Oversee recruitment strategy, ensuring a strong program fill-rate and high applicant experience.
• Manage and mentor partnerships and recruitment staff including program managers and coordinators.
• Represent FD at external meetings and conferences to advance partnerships.
• Monitor KPIs and dashboards to drive program planning and impact.

Skills

Partnerships

Recruitment

Stakeholder relationships

Leadership

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

First Descents (FD) is a nonprofit that provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults (ages 18-39) impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions. The Senior Program Manager (SPM) – Partnerships & Recruitment is responsible for leading and managing FD’s partnerships and recruitment initiatives. For this role, partnerships are defined as relationships and collaborative initiatives spanning healthcare, advocacy organizations, outdoor organizations, and non profits. This role oversees the organization’s program recruitment strategy while executing FD’s partnership strategy and maintaining and activating a robust portfolio of major healthcare partners.

As a key point of contact within our community, it is imperative that the SPM is passionate about our mission and demonstrates our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in the outdoor and healthcare spaces.

This is a hybrid position based in Denver, Colorado with the requirement to be in the office two days per week, and any additional time required to complete tasks in person. The SPM will report to the Vice President of Programs and Strategic Initiatives.

Responsibilities:

Strategy

• Provide strategic analysis and recommendations across program design, innovation, and lifestyle programming.

Management

• Draft an annual budget and performance plan for all partnerships and recruitment related functions.
• Track and achieve associated Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Oversee the recruitment team, including program managers, program coordinators, contract staff, and interns.

Partnership Outreach & Development

• Develop and implement FD’s partnership strategy, including actionable tactics to deepen relationships with new and existing partners, to advance FD’s programmatic initiatives (e.g., Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI), Recruitment, and Community Adventures (CA)).
• Strengthen partnership data management, communication strategy, and documentation, with a focus on improving efficiencies, relationships, and impact (e.g., plans, Salesforce communication automation and related tasks).
• Represent FD and present at external meetings and conferences to advance relationships with target healthcare providers, patient advocacy organizations, hospitals, and research partners.
• Educate and train partners to speak on behalf of FD and refer their patient/community base to FD programs.

Participant Recruitment

• Develop and implement a communication and recruitment strategy to drive inquiries; deliver a strong and consistent program fill-rate; work to continually optimize applicant experience and engagement.
• Accountable for core program fill rate.
• Accountable for driving 2,000+ inquiries annually.
• Own communication, recruitment pipeline, healthcare referral process, and overall participant pathway from initial inquiry to long-term community engagement with a focus on participant experience, creating efficiencies, removing barriers, and managing risk.
• Identify opportunities to improve the functionality and potential participants’ user journey of FD’s website, inquiry process, application design, and recruitment pipeline.
• Collaborate with other teams and departments (e.g. marketing and community engagement) to ensure consistent messaging, reduce silos, and create an integrated recruitment strategy.

Data Analysis & Impact Measurement

• Monitor and analyze key program metrics and KPIs, such as survey findings and completion rates, then implement changes as needed.
• Maintain and leverage partnership, recruitment, and JEDI dashboards to identify trends, surface growth opportunities, and drive program planning decisions.
• Collaborate with the finance and operations team to refine and optimize Salesforce standard operating procedures, reporting, and processes.
• Oversee annual Out Living It (OLI) Impact Survey (prep and launch with Marketing Team, monitor completion rates, analyze findings once completed, etc.).
• Collaborate on external research and development initiatives; establish and uphold quality standards for impact performance measurement and reporting.
• Other duties as assigned

Management responsibilities:

• Intern (seasonal)
• Program Coordinator – Recruitment and Engagement
• Program Manager – Recruitment and Engagement
• Healthcare Partners & Influencers

Experience:

• Seasoned professional with 6 years of relevant experience in the areas of patient navigation services, non-profit program management, program recruitment, and/or sales.
• Strong background in relationship building with the ability to develop strategic plans that maximize the impact of partnerships and initiatives.
• Experience leading teams with multiple direct reports; nonprofit experience is advantageous.

Desired Skill Set:

• Strong understanding of the healthcare ecosystem, including patient advocacy groups, medical centers, academic hospitals, and community hospitals.
• Exceptional communication skills and presentation skills; ability to articulate clear and concise ideas and instructions.
• Comfortable collecting and analyzing data to inform decision making and familiarity using Salesforce.
• Demonstrated commitment to JEDI and ability to translate ideas into action.
• Commitment to operational excellence and a proactive approach to identifying and implementing improvements.
• Proven ability to make tough decisions, use sound judgment, and handle conflict professionally.
• Commitment to in-person relationship-building, including attending conferences, events, and meetings (up to 15-20% travel required).

Inside Details:

This is a full-time, exempt position based at our headquarters in Denver, CO. The position will be a hybrid of office/remote work with the expectation of being in the office two days per week. There may be a few times throughout the year where you are asked to work nights or weekends.

First Descents prides itself on being an inclusive community with an ongoing commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). We know that cancer and other serious health conditions do not discriminate, and we are dedicated to serving all categories of identity. Our programs use the healing power of adventure to build supportive networks and ignite the Out Living It spirit.

First Descents is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, caregiver status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.