Program Director

Founded more than a century ago, ICMA is the premier professional association for local government leaders, managers, staff, and stakeholders, serving more than 13,000 members globally. As a membership association, we provide research and knowledge resources, professional development and training, peer to peer engagement, and technical assistance. We are also a major implementing partner for many grant and contract funded programs on emerging and prevailing topics and challenges to create stronger communities.

At ICMA, we take the concept of local government leadership, management, and innovation further into the future. Through our mission and passion to advance professional local government, we help communities deliver innovative services, empower resident engagement, 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

ICMA is seeking a Program Director to support an expanding portfolio of programming to help local government leaders promote upward economic mobility for residents of their communities. This Program Director for Economic Mobility and Opportunity position is responsible for administration of a new multi-year program placing and supporting executive-level staff positions (EMO Special Assistants) focused on EMO leadership in local governments across the United States. The grant-funded program will also equip the EMO Special Assistants with resources, training, and networking activities, and will assess and share lessons learned with a larger audience of local government stakeholders. With ICMA’s Director of Research, this position will help design, launch, and deliver this new talent development program that enhances capacity of local governments to implement EMO strategies, policies, and practices. The position will also support ICMA’s existing EMO programming and projects; write articles and other relevant content; and represent ICMA at meetings, conferences, events, and other convenings. The position may help with new business development on EMO or related topics. The position resides within the Global Program Management team, which manages grant and contract funded programs supported by federal agencies, foundations, and other donors and sponsors.

The Program Director salary is based on experience level and ranges between $93,063 and $116,327.

This position is dependent on grant funding. Continued employment for the selected candidate is contingent upon ongoing funding.

What You‘ll Do

In coordination with the Director of Research and Development, design, launch and deliver EMO Special Assistants program from startup to implementation to closeout, including but not limited to:

• Recruiting and selecting EMO SA candidates and host communities
• Developing and facilitating onboarding and ongoing training, networking, and other supporting programming for EMO SAs
• Engaging subject matter experts, coaches, and other partners in EMO SA programming
• Overseeing ongoing monitoring, learning, and evaluation activities
• Ensuring lessons learned from the initiative are shared with and promoted to the larger ecosystem of local government stakeholders

• Manage technical, financial, and compliance requirements for the grant-funded EMO Special Assistants initiative.
• In conjunction with the Director of Research and Development, lead the management and supervision of staff and subcontractors.
• Oversee preparation/review of monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports for the Global Program Management Team and client.
• Manage relationships with funders, internal team, subcontractors/grantees, consultants, and other project partners.
• Communicate program performance results to ICMA team and senior leadership.
• Lead or support proposals to new or existing funders including technical writing, technical reviews, recruitment, and budget development.

What You Need to Be Successful in This Role

• Bachelor’s degree; (Master’s degree preferred but not required)
• Minimum of eight (8) years of related professional experience; experience working with or for local governments is highly desired
• Experience managing and reporting on programs funded by federal agencies, foundations, and other donors; PMP and/or applicable professional certification is desired

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Exceptional project management skills, including related to federally-funded programs, or programs funded by governments, foundations, private sector and/or multilateral organizations in the governance sector
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with procurement processes, contract compliance, and budgeting
• Demonstrated ability to self-direct and manage multiple workstreams with shifting priorities simultaneously, and to shift between working independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrated resourcefulness and ability to think critically, navigate through challenges and uncertainty, and exercise sound and timely judgement
• Interpersonal skills required to effectively engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, project partners, and with team members and other ICMA staff in a primarily virtual work environment while demonstrating cultural sensitivity and respect
• Exceptional skills in written and oral communication, including in developing and delivering presentations
• Highly proficient in use of Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint; and in use of virtual collaboration and meeting platforms
• Fluency in a second language, particularly Spanish, is desired

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 a home office environment free from hazards or unpleasant environmental conditions.
• Work may require domestic travel up to 25% of the time.
• Work may involve occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Occasionally work to be performed outside with exposure to temperature and climate extremes.

What We Can Offer You

• Remote work environment
• A 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

This position is based out of ICMA’s headquarters, located in Washington, D.C. At this time, all ICMA staff are working remotely. The selected individual must be able to work the core business hours from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm EST. Our office will remain operational and accessible for staff to use on a voluntary basis.

A high-speed Internet connection is required. 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.

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.