Position Description

Under the direction of the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director, the Program Manager works to implement a work program of research, training, technical assistance, and peer learning activities that assist America’s regional planning and development organizations in pursuing economic development, transportation, regional planning, and equity initiatives in their regions, particularly those that include small metros and rural areas. This entails building the regional organizational and institutional capacity, leadership networks, comprehensive strategies, and program tools necessary to ensure America’s local communities are equipped to participate in today’s global economy and respond to constantly shifting economic, political, demographic, and environmental landscapes.

Specific Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains a general understanding of regional development organizations, their programs, and their partnerships.
• Assists with coordinating national, regional, or web-based events on regional development policy and program issues. As appropriate to the event, develops or assists with developing draft agendas; identifies and communicates with potential trainers, speakers, or facilitators; works with other staff to determine event logistics; and markets to appropriate audiences.
• Communicates by phone, email, in-person, or other methods with regional development organization professionals and other stakeholders regarding community and economic topics.
• Follows project research plans to identify and collect information on programs, policies, and projects related to community and economic development and regional/rural transportation topics; recommends additional research and analysis activities.
• Analyzes documents and conducts interviews with stakeholders to collect information; documents research activities, findings, and sources.
• Prepares or contributes to the preparation of memos and reports that describe programs, policies, and projects and may draw conclusions or make recommendations based on analysis.
• Develops, writes, and contributes content for other association publications, reports, and information resources, including NADO News, NADO.org, Rural Transportation.org, CEDSCentral.com, special reports, issue briefs, and other research and information resources.
• Implements programs and initiatives that enhance the professional and organizational capacity of regional planning and development organizations.
• Assists the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, and Associate Directors with NADO Research Foundation projects and programs related to community and economic development, regional planning, and transportation, and other related research and professional development programs of NADO and the NADO Research Foundation.
• Assists with the design and maintenance of the association’s online and social media tools, including as needed, planning and implementation of webinars, development of professional peer networks, and other technology-based information sharing forums.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Experience

• Knowledge of regional and local planning, community, and economic development and/or transportation planning issues in order to analyze programs, policies, and projects for research or training deliverables.
• Strong understanding of community and economic development issues in America’s small urban and rural communities in order to contribute to research and training deliverables.
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills in order to gather information, communicate with management and other staff, and effectively represent NADO and the NADO Research Foundation to other organizations, including ability to build relationships with member organizations, develop strategic alliances, interact with federal funding partners and potential funders, and participate in national, state, and regional events.
• Basic skills with Microsoft Office products, such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, as well as Adobe Acrobat Pro, required. Successful candidates will also have a level of proficiency with various virtual meeting and training platforms including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, the Go-to-Meeting suite of training programs, and others.
• Familiarity with or willingness to learn basics of publishing content to websites using a content management system.
• Must be a team player and have research experience in following a research plan to identify sources, collect and analyze information, and present findings.

Educational Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degrees preferred in public administration, public policy, urban and regional planning, economic development, transportation, social sciences, or related major. Work experience may substitute for preferred educational background.

Supervisory Controls

The Program Manager works under the general supervision of the Deputy Executive Director; Associate Directors may assist with supervision by monitoring progress on projects and providing guidance, information, or editorial review. The supervisor assigns specific projects. The supervisor aids on controversial issues or difficult problems encountered. The Program Manager coordinates and carries out successive steps in completing projects.

Complexity

The Program Manager’s assignments can be varied in scope and complexity. The Program Manager must react to changing situations and design comprehensive solutions to satisfy management objectives and project deliverables. The Program Manager is expected to exercise tact and sound judgment in day-to-day activities and contacts with other organizations. The Program Manager is expected to promptly notify supervisor or senior staff of potential problem areas.

Physical Demands

The work is generally sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. The work requires frequent computer and telephone use. The work is generally performed in an office setting. This work is generally performed in an office setting; however, work will be performed remotely until the organization’s office reopens with COVID-19 safety measures in place. Occasional domestic travel is required to attend conferences, events, or other locations for production of project deliverables. Full time, based in Washington, DC.

Application Process

Submit cover letter not to exceed 2 pages (explaining why you are interested in the position and working at NADO, and how your skills and experiences meet the position requirements) and resume to Laurie Thompson, Deputy Executive Director, at lthompson@nado.org.