Senior Program Manager

The-Hunt-Institute; Weston (NC); Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision insurance

401(k) with employer matching

Job summary

The Hunt Institute is seeking a Senior Program Manager to join the State Engagement team in Cary, NC. You will develop sessions for State Legislators Retreats and policy fellows, conduct research, and provide analysis for reports and primers.

You will identify diverse state leaders, including Governors’ offices and policymakers, and report to the Director of State Engagement. This is a hybrid role based in Cary, NC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum three years’ experience in public policy, government relations or public relations required.
• Experience working directly for or with elected officials preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and flexible, responsive work style.
• Ability to travel (anticipated 10–15%).

Responsibilities

• Plans, develops, implements, and coordinates Hunt Institute project(s) or program(s).
• Manages and oversees the daily administrative components of program(s)/project(s).
• Define program goals, objectives, and success metrics, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
• Coordinate and communicate with internal and external stakeholders, providing regular program updates and reports.
• Manage program budgets, ensuring projects are completed within budgetary constraints.
• Create agendas, identify speakers, track registration, coordinate with the events & State Engagement team, and serve as overall manager of assigned Hunt Institute programs and events.
• Lead program evaluation and post-program reviews to assess successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Identify and implement improvements to strengthen support for state early learning education and policy.

Skills

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Policy knowledge

Travel readiness

Detail orientation

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

The Hunt Institute’s mission is to provide unbiased research, technical expertise, and learning opportunities that equip and empower educators and policymakers to drive equitable reforms and become audacious champions for education. Since its establishment in 2001, the organization has emerged as a recognized and credible leader in the movement to transform American public education and a go-to source for reliable, objective, and timely information. The Institute works at the intersection of education policy and politics, supporting state and national officials and empowering them to drive education reform. Its mandate is to inspire and equip elected officials and senior policymakers to make informed decisions that improve the lives of all children. The Institute’s primary audience consists of governors, legislators, and other elected and state-level policymakers.

*We are reposting this opportunity to reach a wider pool of candidates. If you applied during our earlier posting, thank you—your application is still being reviewed, and you do not need to reapply.

About the role

The Hunt Institute is seeking a Senior Program Manager (SPM) to join our State Engagement team. The SPM develops sessions and content for State Legislators Retreats, Hunt State Policy Fellows, and support other Institute work as needed, including conducting research and analysis on relevant policy issues and providing information for reports, policy briefs, primers, and case studies for dissemination. The ideal candidate will also Identify and cultivate relationships with diverse state leaders, including Governors’ officers, legislators, state departments of education and other key contacts. The Senior Program Manager will report directly to the Director of State Engagement. The position is based out of The Hunt Institute’s office in Cary, North Carolina.

What you'll do

• Plans, develops, implements, and coordinates Hunt Institute project(s) or program(s).
• Manages, and oversees the daily administrative components of program(s)/project(s).
• Define program goals, objectives, and success metrics, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
• Coordinate and communicate with internal and external stakeholders, providing regular program updates and reports.
• Manage program budgets, ensuring projects are completed within budgetary constraints.
• Create agendas, identify speakers, track registration, coordinate with the events & State Engagement team, and serve as overall manager of assigned Hunt Institute programs and events.
• Lead program evaluation and post-program reviews to assess successes, challenges, and lessons learned.

Project Management

• Manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet tight deadlines.
• Identify and implement improvements to strengthen The Hunt Institute’s support for state early learning education and policy.
• Ensure project schedules and timelines facilitate meaningful participation from elected officials.
• Provide grant deliverable details regarding impact for grant and funder applications and reports.
• Perform all related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Commitment to the mission and vision of The Hunt Institute, alongside a passion for challenging entrenched systems of educational inequity towards the bettering of public education for all children.
• Awareness of key state and national education policy issues.
• Exceptional project management skills.
• A strong work ethic, with a results-oriented philosophy and personal qualities of trustworthiness, openness, accessibility, kindness, flexibility, and a sense of humor.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments and accomplish deadlines; ability to pay attention to accuracy and detail while thinking broadly.
• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Minimum three years’ experience in public policy, government relations or public relations required. Experience working directly for or with elected officials is preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and flexible, responsive work style.
• Ability to travel (anticipated 10 – 15%).

Ideal candidates will also demonstrate:

• Knowledge of state and national P-16 education policy.
• Resourcefulness and good judgment.
• Leadership by example.
• The value of diversity of thought, backgrounds, and perspectives.
• Integrity/ethics beyond reproach.
• Constant seeking to apply best practices.Exceptional attention to detail, strong project management, and the ability to handle multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Willingness to travel and work outside regular business hours as needed for event schedules.
• Willingness to work collaboratively and consider new ideas.
• Commitment to The Hunt Institute’s mission, vision, financial growth, and success.

Benefits and Compensation

The Hunt Institute offers competitive compensation and an attractive benefits package, including employer paid health, dental and vision insurance, and a 401(k) plan with an employer matching contribution policy.

We feel passionately about equal pay for equal work, and transparency in compensation is one vehicle to achieve that. The salary recruitment range for this position is $79,240- $87,164

Work Schedule

This position is based out of our office at 5000 Centregreen Way, Suite 150, Cary, NC, 27513. This is a hybrid position requiring on-site presence at our office in Cary, NC, three days per week. The remaining two days may be completed remotely from your home office. Employees are expected on-site on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to collaborate on team projects and attend strategic planning meetings. Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.

Office hours: 8:30am-5:00pm

At The Hunt Institute, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a reference check and background investigation.