Job Details
Who We Are
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 Senior Program Manager to help support an emerging portfolio of programming focused on helping local government leaders promote upward economic mobility for residents of their communities. The position will be responsible for overseeing a suite of technical assistance and training activities, primarily through a Foundation-funded initiative on economic mobility and opportunity (EMO). The SPM will also potentially help on other projects within ICMA's "thriving communities" portfolio of programs. The position will also lead and support efforts to design and position ICMA to capture additional programmatic support from federal agencies, foundations, and partnering organizations for prime and sub-awards that complement and advance ICMA's mission to create more sustainable, equitable, and resilient communities.
The Senior Program Manager, Economic Mobility and Opportunity (TA and Training) reports to the Director of Research.
What You'll Do
Lead ICMA's technical assistance and training activities on economic mobility, including:
Providing direct technical assistance to local governments and their partners exploring new policies, practices, and partnerships to promote EMO
Developing and managing partnerships with additional subject matter experts to complement and extend technical assistance activities
Helping local government leaders conceptualize resource roadmaps of funding, incentives, partnerships, and other approaches to advance their EMO priorities
Developing workshops, educational sessions, and peer-to-peer engagements focused on EMO issues
Connecting communities with existing complementary technical assistance and training entities such as the EPA's Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (TCTACs); and
Supporting startup and implementation for national EMO convenings of local government, community, private sector, and other stakeholders
Collaborate with local government officials and community leaders to identify and address barriers to economic mobility and opportunity
Conduct research and analysis on best practices and emerging trends in EMO and share findings with relevant stakeholders
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of EMO activities and adjust approaches based on learnings
Collaborate with program leadership and other staff to fulfill and report on grant commitments
Develop and maintain partnerships with academic institutions, research organizations, and other entities, including peer organizations in an EMO community of practice
Represent ICMA at conferences, meetings, and other events to promote the organization's work on EMO
Coordinate with other existing ICMA programs and staff working on related projects to identify and leverage synergies, opportunities for innovation, and efficiencies in supporting communities and local governments
Contribute to efforts that position ICMA for additional funding from federal agencies, foundations, and corporate sponsors
Support ICMA's research team and the Local Government Reimagined initiative with subject matter expertise as needed in developing national surveys, case studies, and other knowledge resources
Support ICMA's Global Program Management team's portfolio of activities focused on creating thriving communities
- This position may involve formal supervision and informal direction of other program team members
Minimum Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree (Master's degree preferred but not required) in a related field
- Minimum of 8 years of professional experience; experience working with or for local governments is highly desired
- Experience delivering technical assistance to local governments and communities
- Experience leading the development, implementation, and/or administration of multiple programs
- Experience developing proposals for grants and external funding, and with management and reporting on funded projects
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
- Subject matter expertise and/or experience related to economic mobility and opportunity issues such as housing and community development, health and well-being, early childhood, post-secondary education and workforce development, justice and public safety, financial security, or other related topics
- Demonstrated ability to self-direct and manage multiple projects 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 judgement
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including in developing and delivering presentations
- Strong planning, analytical, and conceptual skills
- 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
- 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 consistent with ICMA's current "virtual first" approach; however occasional in-person work at ICMA's headquarters location in Washington DC, or other locations may be required.
- Work may require domestic travel up to 10% of time for on-site delivery of technical assistance to communities as well as for business development, presentations, and other activities.
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.