Program Manager

Location: Washington, DC

Schedule: Hybrid, with flexibility

Duration: 4-month contract, with potential for a longer-term opportunity

Position Overview: We are working with an organization seeking an experienced Program Manager to support high-priority strategic initiatives, executive-level projects, organizational governance, and cross-functional planning. This high-visibility role will partner closely with senior leadership and teams across the organization to coordinate complex initiatives, support decision-making, improve internal processes, and drive projects from planning through implementation. A key focus will be supporting the organization's evolving approach to artificial intelligence, including governance and oversight processes, internal technology implementation, change management, and adoption initiatives. The Program Manager will also coordinate leadership and committee activities, contribute to policy and procedure development, and help connect priorities across departments. The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, analytical, and comfortable operating with significant autonomy. They should be able to manage complex projects, anticipate challenges, exercise sound judgment, and communicate effectively with stakeholders ranging from project teams to executive leadership.

Strategic Program and Project Management: Lead a portfolio of strategic and cross-functional initiatives from planning and design through implementation, evaluation, and closeout. Develop project charters, work plans, timelines, milestones, dependencies, deliverables, and success measures. Monitor project progress, identify risks and roadblocks, manage competing priorities, and proactively recommend solutions. Provide strategic and analytical support to leadership on organizational priorities, business challenges, and key initiatives. Conduct research, environmental scans, and analysis to evaluate options, tradeoffs, risks, and potential impacts. Develop project tracking tools, dashboards, templates, and reporting processes to improve visibility and accountability.

AI Governance and Technology Implementation: Coordinate AI governance and oversight activities, including committee operations, meeting agendas, minutes, decisions, recommendations, and action-item tracking. Support the review and progression of AI use cases through established governance and approval processes. Coordinate leadership discussions, working groups, and documentation related to responsible AI use, organizational policies, and oversight. Support the implementation and organizational rollout of AI-enabled tools, including communications, training coordination, FAQs, user resources, and stakeholder engagement. Track implementation progress, adoption metrics, user feedback, outstanding issues, and follow-up actions. Partner with technical teams responsible for system configuration, security, and implementation to ensure alignment between technical work, organizational priorities, and governance requirements. Help identify opportunities to improve AI adoption, internal processes, and the effectiveness of technology initiatives.

Executive and Committee Support: Prepare executive-level presentations, briefing documents, decision memos, talking points, status reports, and meeting materials. Coordinate leadership meetings and committee activities, including scheduling, agenda development, documentation, decision tracking, and follow-up. Support board-related working groups and governance initiatives, including preparing materials and coordinating priorities and deliverables. Facilitate communication between leadership, committees, and cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and timely information sharing. Support annual and long-term planning activities, track strategic priorities, and prepare updates for leadership review.

Policy, Process Improvement, and Organizational Coordination: Support the development, review, documentation, and improvement of organizational policies, procedures, and workflows. Identify opportunities to streamline processes, strengthen governance, clarify responsibilities, and improve operational efficiency. Coordinate internal working groups and task forces focused on policy, planning, and organizational effectiveness. Serve as a liaison across departments to connect related initiatives, clarify expectations, and maintain alignment on priorities. Contribute to departmental planning, internal communications, and organization-wide initiatives as needed. Document processes, decisions, and recommendations to support consistency, transparency, and effective execution.

Required Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required; a master's degree in public health, public policy, public administration, health services, or a related discipline is preferred. At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in program management, project management, strategic planning, business operations, or a related field. Demonstrated experience independently managing complex, cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and high-level visibility. Strong project management expertise, including work plans, timelines, deliverables, risk management, status reporting, and implementation tracking. Experience preparing presentations, executive briefings, decision memos, and other polished written materials for senior leadership. Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to research complex issues, evaluate options, identify implications, and recommend practical solutions. Proven ability to work autonomously, exercise sound judgment, anticipate challenges, and move initiatives forward without extensive day-to-day direction. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt messaging for audiences at different organizational levels. Demonstrated ability to build relationships, facilitate meetings, and coordinate effectively across departments and stakeholder groups. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint, along with familiarity with project management and collaboration tools. Exceptional organization, attention to detail, follow-through, and discretion when handling sensitive information.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience in healthcare, public health, health research, nonprofit, public policy, or public-sector environments. A master's degree in public health, public administration, public policy, or a related field, particularly with an emphasis on systems thinking, organizational strategy, or policy. Experience coordinating executive committees, board-related initiatives, governance workgroups, or leadership task forces. Experience supporting AI governance, responsible AI use, technology implementation, organizational adoption, or change management. Familiarity with policy and procedure development, organizational controls, or governance frameworks. Experience coordinating organization-wide initiatives that require collaboration among leadership, communications, operations, and technical teams. Technical AI expertise is not required. The priority is experience managing the strategy, governance, implementation, communications, and organizational considerations associated with complex initiatives.

Ideal Candidate Profile: The strongest candidate will be an independent, solutions-oriented program manager who can step into an active portfolio of initiatives and quickly establish priorities. They will bring strong organizational skills, sound judgment, critical thinking, and the confidence to work directly with senior leaders. This person should be comfortable balancing detailed project coordination with broader strategic thinking, connecting the dots across departments, anticipating what comes next, and translating complex topics into clear plans and recommendations.

Additional Details: High-visibility opportunity to support strategic initiatives and work closely with senior leadership. Flexible hybrid arrangement in Washington, DC.Initial four-month contract, with the possibility of a longer-term opportunity depending on organizational needs and fit. The team is hoping to bring someone on in late November or early December to allow for onboarding and knowledge transfer. Candidates with experience in complex, mission-driven organizations and strong cross-functional project leadership skills are encouraged to apply.