Senior Program Manager, Strategic Program Management and Advancement

ICMA - International City/County Management Association; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 78,450 - 98,062; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Collaborative environment

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

ICMA, a mission-driven nonprofit headquartered in Washington, DC, seeks a Senior Program Manager to drive strategic program development for SRMSA. This role leads cross-team initiatives, supports volunteer committees, and expands member value while pursuing revenue opportunities.

The ideal candidate has 8–10 years of program management experience, a Bachelor's degree, and PMP or related certification. This position offers hybrid work with occasional travel and a strong focus on global

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline
• Eight (8) to ten (10) years' experience in relevant professional discipline and program management
• Preferred Qualifications: Prior experience in local government, public administration, nonprofit, or professional association
• PMP and/or applicable professional certification
• Background in leadership development, diversity and inclusion initiatives, or women's leadership programming (e.g., SheLeadsGov-type efforts)
• Experience supporting global programs or international partnerships
• Experience working to improve user experience and market job boards

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage programs and strategic initiatives across the SRMSA Team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Manage volunteer committees, including SheLeadsGov, focused on promoting women's leadership; responsibilities include meeting facilitation, virtual and in-person event management and content development.
• Identify and develop opportunities for existing programs to improve member experience, generate revenue, and expand impact; collaborate with team leads to refine and adapt offerings as needed.
• Design and implement programs within existing funding streams to strengthen the professional pipeline, support next-generation programs and expand services for members.
• Work with SRMSA staff and across teams to improve user experience for initiatives such as the ICMA Job Board, to market services and grow revenue.
• Support Team Director in implementing ICMA's global programs to enhance member value and support strategic global initiatives.
• Collaborate with and support other Senior Program Managers on cross-team priorities and initiatives as needed.

Skills

Program management

Volunteer leadership

Event planning

Revenue development

Stakeholder engagement

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PMP certification

Job description

Who we are:

ICMA is a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing professional local government. Founded in 1914, ICMA is the leading professional association for local government leaders, managers, staff, and stakeholders – serving more than 14,000 members across the globe. As a membership association, we equip professionals with the research, knowledge, and tools needed to create and sustain thriving communities.

By advancing professional local government, we help communities deliver better services, engage residents, enable economic development, strengthen leadership, uphold ethics, and provide forward-thinking management.

We ensure a diverse and inclusive workplace by welcoming people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives and by learning from each other, individually and collectively.

A Great Opportunity:

If you are a senior-level program management professional with expertise in establishing and overseeing all aspects of program management in a mission-driven, member-centric environment, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

ICMA is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead program development and advancement across the Strategic Relationships, Member Support and Advancement (SRMSA) team. This position plays a critical role in supporting and championing the careers of local government professionals through a variety of programs, initiatives, and committee engagements.

This team is responsible for the following:

• Supporting domestic affiliate organizations and international strategic allies
• Supporting ICMA member volunteer committees
• Developing women's leadership programming and content (SheLeadsGov)
• Supporting programming for Veterans and managing the Veterans Local Government Management Fellowship
• Providing Secretariat support to associations of local government professionals
• Managing ICMA Job Center
• Managing next generation initiatives, including ICMA student chapters, the Local Government Management Fellowship and Bob Turner Fellows
• Managing scholarships, including Conference Assistance Scholarships and Tranter-Leong Fellowship
• Managing application process, planning and implementation of annual global exchanges
• Supporting development of global content with international partners
• Implementing strategic global initiatives that enhance member value

The Senior Program Manager, Strategic Program Management and Advancement is responsible for managing key programs, enhancing member value, and identifying revenue opportunities to support and advance existing programs and organizational priorities.

Ideally, a candidate should be willing to commute to ICMA's state-of-the-art headquarters on a regular basis, which is conveniently located near Union Station and Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

The salary for the Senior Program Manager, Strategic Program Management and Advancement is based on experience, with a range of $78,450 to $98,062.

This position will report directly to the Director, Strategic Relationships, Member Support and Advancement.

Interested applicants must include a cover letter and résumé when submitting their application.

What you do:

1. Lead and manage programs and strategic initiatives across the SRMSA Team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
2. Manage volunteer committees, including SheLeadsGov, focused on promoting women's leadership; responsibilities include meeting facilitation, virtual and in-person event management and content development.
3. Identify and develop opportunities for existing programs to improve member experience, generate revenue, and expand impact; collaborate with team leads to refine and adapt offerings as needed.
4. Design and implement programs within existing funding streams to strengthen the professional pipeline, support next-generation programs and expand services for members.
5. Work with SRMSA staff and across teams to improve user experience for initiatives such as the ICMA Job Board, to market services and grow revenue.
6. Support Team Director in implementing ICMA's global programs to enhance member value and support strategic global initiatives.
7. Collaborate with and support other Senior Program Managers on cross-team priorities and initiatives as needed.

What you need to be successful in this role:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline
• Eight (8) to ten (10) years' experience in relevant professional discipline and program management

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in local government, public administration, nonprofit, or professional association
• PMP and/or applicable professional certification
• Background in leadership development, diversity and inclusion initiatives, or women's leadership programming (e.g., SheLeadsGov-type efforts)
• Experience supporting global programs or international partnerships
• Experience working to improve user experience and market job boards

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Demonstrated experience designing, managing, and improving programs or initiatives, including oversight of multiple concurrent projects. Strong attention to detail and ability to produce deliverables that are on time and of high quality.
• Proven ability to identify and develop revenue-generating opportunities, such as fee-based programs, partnerships, or sponsorships. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience working with volunteer leaders, advisory groups, or committees, including facilitation, engagement, and content development.
  • Strong track record of event planning and program delivery, including virtual and in-person convenings.
  • Experience supporting organizational strategy implementation, including translating strategic priorities into actionable programs.
  • Ability to collaborate across teams and departments, adapting programs based on input and evolving organizational needs.
  • Demonstrated experience in member/customer-focused program development, with a focus on enhancing engagement and value.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is typically performed in an office environment free from hazards or unpleasant environmental
• Work requires travel approximately 10% of time, primarily within the U.S.

What we can offer you:

• A collaborative and collegial working environment where teamwork and individual contributions are valued
• A competitive salary
• A comprehensive benefits package that includes employer sponsored health, dental, life, disability, and employee assistance benefits
• Paid time off to include vacation, sick leave, holidays, and floating days
• Generous retirement plan
• Opportunities for ongoing professional development

The ICMA headquarters is located in Washington, DC. While ICMA operates as a virtual-first organization, that prioritizes flexibility and digital collaboration, we also encourage a hybrid approach, and our D.C. office remains fully operational and available for staff to work onsite. The selected individual must be able to work the core business hours from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm ET.

A high-speed i nternet connection is required when working virtually. Personnel will provide the internet service at their own expense. The internet connection must be of sufficient bandwidth to allow the team member to efficiently perform their regular job functions and participate in virtual meetings.

The selected candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.

EEO Statement

At ICMA, we strive to promote and sustain a culture of diversity, inclusion, and belonging every day. ICMA is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or promotion, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or on any other basis or characteristic prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law. We proudly support and encourage people with military experience (active, veterans, reservists, and National Guard) as well as military spouses to apply for ICMA job opportunities.