Sr. Program Associate, Civic Engagement (Bloomberg Center for Public innovation)

Johns Hopkins University; Washington; Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation seeks a Sr. Program Associate, Civic Engagement to lead program management and client-facing activities. The role requires delivering full-cycle projects, coaching teams, and guiding strategic program development for city and government partners.

The position emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, data-driven decision making, and the design of innovative public services. Hybrid work in Washington DC area with travel optional.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field required.
• Five years of experience in program or project management or related subject matter.
• Master’s degree preferred for advanced positions.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary programmatic point of contact for clients on behalf of the Center.
• Provide full-cycle project management for assigned jurisdictions and programs.
• Analyze program performance data and present findings to leaders and funders.
• Provide technical assistance to client teams for design and deployment of new services.

Skills

Program management

Data analysis

Leadership

Communication

Facilitation

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a related field

Five years of experience in program or project management

Master’s Degree in a related field

Job description

Johns Hopkins, founded in 1876, is America's first research university and home to nine world‑class academic divisions working together as one university.

The Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University (the Center) is searching for a Sr. Program Associate, Civic Engagement. The Sr. Program Associate will deliver technical assistance for Civic Engagement programs to build the capacity of public servants to deliver meaningful, effective engagement solutions for city leaders and government partners. The Sr. Program Associate will also interact with partner organizations, vendors, and funders.

The first of its kind in the world, the Center aims to advance the field of public sector innovation by marrying cutting‑edge practice with world class research to transform the culture of government, deliver exceptional results for residents, and inspire trust in public service. The Center is housed within the new JHU School of Government and Policy alongside the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence and the Black Wealth Data Center.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Program Management and Delivery - 70%

• Act as the primary programmatic point of contact for clients on behalf of the Center, reporting to program and Center leadership on progress, support needs, and escalation of issues.
• Provide full‑cycle project management for assigned jurisdictions and programs, encompassing project scoping, scheduling, reporting, and data analysis.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative program performance data, identify areas of concern and opportunities for improvement, and present data and recommendations to public sector leaders, Center leadership, and funders, as needed.
• Provide direct technical assistance to client teams in the design, development, and implementation or deployment of new services, programs, tools, and platforms.
• This includes,

Lead regular check‑ins with teams to monitor progress, provide guidance, and adapt strategies to achieve program goals.

Provide strategic support to clients, ensuring project success through effective coaching.

Oversee the development and implementation of work plans and other program deliverables.

• Teach skills, techniques, and approaches to public sector teams and support them through the program to achieve desired resident impact.
• Perform strategic reviews of program performance; recommend solutions to obstacles and challenges; and develop strategies to reach and reinforce positive trends in performance.
• Contribute subject matter expertise, including broad knowledge of the field, to the design, organization, and facilitation of curriculum, on‑site and virtual trainings, workshops, and meetings with clients and partners, both as part of standard programs and also in response to unique and emerging needs.
• Lead preparation and presentation of reports, summaries, and other work products for dissemination to the Center’s leadership and external partners, including funders.
• Develop and implement strategies that scale solutions and drive impact across broader program objectives and the field of study.
• Plan, develop, and deliver assigned program workstreams, including but not limited to program outreach, quality assurance, procurement management, and communications management.
• Coordinate program delivery with contracted and collaborating partners.

Program Planning - 30%

• Contribute to Center‑wide initiatives focused on new programs, performance measurement, and training initiatives.
• Provide training, mentorship, and supervision to Center staff or contractors.
• Work closely with program sponsors, Center leadership, and cross‑functional teams to develop the scope, deliverables, required resources, work plan, and timeline for new initiatives.
• Perform other duties, as assigned, in support of the mission and work of the Center.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Prior experience working in or with local, state, or national governments and in the design of public sector service delivery programs.
• Possess understanding of the types of performance and service delivery challenges typically faced by local or state governments.
• Prior experience leading strategic planning processes and in the provision of strategic guidance to senior‑level officials within public sector organizations.
• Prior experience in the successful management of complex projects and initiatives from design to completion and high‑volume portfolios of clients and projects.
• Strong leadership and relationship management skills, as well as the ability to work effectively in a team‑oriented collaborative environment.
• Knowledge of public sector data practices or innovation methods and strategies.
• Effective facilitation, written, and verbal communication skills.

*This position may require up to 20% travel.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field
• Five years of experience in program or project management, public policy, public administration, change management, business administration, or related subject matter expertise.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in a related field.
• Conceptual and practical understanding of innovation tools and the role of human centered design, data, and policy in the public sector.
• Experience working for local, state, or federal government.
• Experience or familiarity with structures and functions common to city and state governments.
• Proficiency speaking/conversing in Spanish or Portuguese in the business setting.

Classified Title: Sr. Program Associate

Job Posting Title (Working Title): Sr. Program Associate, Civic Engagement (Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation)

Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PF

Starting Salary Range: $87,630 - $153,545 Annually (Commensurate w/ exp.)

Employee group: Full Time

Schedule: Monday-Friday 9am-5:30pm

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Hybrid/District of Columbia

Department name: Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation

Personnel area: School of Government & Policy

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre‑employment background check.

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre‑employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office at [e-mail]. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711.

The following additional provisions may apply depending on which campus you will work. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

During the Influenza ("the flu") season, as a condition of employment, The Johns Hopkins Institutions require all employees who provide ongoing services to patients or work in patient care or clinical care areas to have an annual influenza vaccination or possess an approved medical or religious exception. Failure to meet this requirement may result in termination of employment.

The pre‑employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre‑employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

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