Program Manager

Laney Belle Inc has been engaged to manage this search on behalf of IntermediaryEd and is serving as the primary point of contact throughout the recruitment process.

Deadline to Apply: June 26,2026

Purpose

The Program Manager serves as a vital catalyst for IntermediaryEd’s mission, focused on sourcing, assessing, and resourcing high-impact initiatives that fortify career pathways and economic opportunity for young learners. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Programs, this individual functions as a strategic investment lead and a collaborative liaison, cultivating enduring alliances with industry leaders, public-sector agencies, and philanthropic peers to accelerate systems-level change.

This role oversees the comprehensive investment lifecycle from identifying nascent opportunities and performing rigorous organizational due diligence to drafting persuasive funding memoranda and providing ongoing portfolio stewardship to ensure goals are achieved. The successful candidate possesses deep expertise navigating public-sector environments and nonprofit ecosystems, with a sophisticated understanding of workforce development and education. Proficiency in engaging industry intermediaries and community partners is essential, as is a forward-thinking perspective on how AI-driven shifts are transforming talent pipelines and creating new avenues for programmatic innovation. Ideal leaders for this position will merge an entrepreneurial spirit with robust analytical capabilities, demonstrating the executive presence required to engage senior stakeholders. As part of a nascent, fast-paced organization, we seek an individual who thrives amidst ambiguity and is motivated by the opportunity to build and shape foundational strategies within a startup-oriented philanthropic environment.

This position requires extensive business travel and in-person engagement as an essential component of successful job performance. The Program Manager should expect to travel domestically at maximum approximately 25–40% of the time [or 5-7 days/month on average] at peak times of the year to attend conferences, convenings, site visits, stakeholder meetings, and other events in support of IntermediaryEd's mission and strategic priorities.

In addition, this role is expected to be present in and commute to IntermediaryEd's Newark, New Jersey office every other Monday and may be required to attend additional in-person meetings, events, or team gatherings as business needs dictate.

Travel is a non-negotiable requirement of this position and is considered fundamental to performing the role at the highest level. The ideal candidate is energized by working with our partners and values building relationships through direct engagement with grantees, state and local agency leaders, employers, workforce intermediaries, philanthropic partners, and prospective funders. Success in this role requires a willingness and enthusiasm to represent IntermediaryEd externally, cultivate partnerships, and maintain a strong presence within the communities and networks we serve.

Scope of Responsibility

Strategic Opportunity Sourcing and Assessment: Identify, evaluate, and develop a robust pipeline of funding opportunities and strategic partnerships aligned with IntermediaryEd’s programmatic priorities.

• Source and cultivate relationships with prospective grantees, nonprofit organizations, employers, workforce intermediaries, state agencies, and peer funders working at the intersection of workforce development, education, career pathways, and economic mobility.
• Maintain awareness of emerging trends, policy developments, innovations, including AI and the impact on workforce and education ecosystems.
• Conduct detailed organizational, financial, strategic, and operational due diligence on prospective funding opportunities.
• Assess organizations, coalitions, initiatives, and partnerships for strategic alignment, implementation capacity, potential impact, and scalability.
• Develop clear, concise, and compelling assessment memoranda that synthesize findings and provide recommendations for funding and partnership decisions.
• Support the development of investment theses, funding strategies, and portfolio priorities in partnership with the VP of Programs.

Portfolio Management and Partner Support: Co-lead the management of a robust grantmaking and program portfolio, responsible for the strategic deployment of $5-10 million in annual funding across 5-15 grantee organizations.

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for assigned grantees and partners.
• Drive portfolio strategy, investment decisions, organizational due diligence, performance assessment, and continuous portfolio optimization to maximize mission impact and organizational effectiveness.
• Monitor partner progress toward goals and outcomes while identifying opportunities to strengthen impact.
• Facilitate connections among grantees, employers, state agencies, funders, and ecosystem partners to advance shared objectives.
• Ensure timely collection and review of reports, deliverables, and performance metrics.
• Identify risks, challenges, and emerging opportunities within the portfolio and recommend responsive actions.
• Design and potentially facilitate meetings, workshops, learning communities, and convenings that bring together employers, educators, intermediaries, funders, and government leaders.
• Create opportunities for cross-sector collaboration and shared problem-solving.

Partnership Development: Build and strengthen relationships across workforce, education, philanthropy, employer, and government ecosystems.

• Develop trusted relationships with state workforce agencies, education agencies, economic development organizations, employers, intermediaries, and community-based organizations.
• Represent IE in meetings, conferences, working groups, and external stakeholder engagements.
• Support efforts to strengthen statewide and regional workforce ecosystems through partnership-building and collaboration.

Impact Measurement and Learning: Use data, evidence, and learning to inform decision-making and portfolio strategy.

• Monitor impact data and performance indicators across the portfolio.
• Analyze trends, outcomes, and lessons emerging from funded organizations and initiatives.
• Support the development of learning agendas and portfolio-level insights.

Relationships and Interactions

Internally Focused

• Vice President of Programs: Functions as the primary supervisor and key funding strategist. Engages in routine synergy regarding the evaluation of investments, programmatic vision, funding recommendations, and the cultivation of field alliances.
• Programmatic Colleagues: Maintains daily operational alignment to synchronize comprehensive due diligence, portfolio oversight, stakeholder convenings, and shared knowledge management initiatives.

Externally Focused

• Prospective and Current Funding Partners: Primary relationship manager and strategic thought partner with a select group of the portfolio.
• State Agencies and Government Leaders: Workforce, education, economic development, and labor agency leaders engaged in advancing systems-level outcomes. These can also be funding partners.
• Employers and Industry Partners: Business and industry leaders working to strengthen talent pipelines and workforce opportunities. These can also be funding partners.
• Peer Funders and Philanthropic Organizations: Collaborative partners focused on shared learning, co-investment opportunities, and field advancement.
• Workforce Intermediaries and Ecosystem Leaders: Organizations that connect employers, educators, policymakers, and communities to improve workforce outcomes. These can also be funding partners.
• Researchers, Policy Experts, and Thought Leaders: Partners who contribute expertise, evidence, and insights that strengthen strategy and impact.

Capabilities and Competencies

• Sector Knowledge: Strong understanding of workforce development, career pathways, and education systems. Familiarity with workforce policy, postsecondary pathways, employer engagement strategies, government agency operations, and systems-change efforts.
• Strategic Partnership Development: Demonstrated success building and maintaining relationships across diverse stakeholder groups. Experience working collaboratively with employers, nonprofits, intermediaries, government agencies, and philanthropic organizations. Ability to influence and build trust without formal authority.
• Analytical and Investment Assessment Skills: Strong ability to assess organizations, coalitions, initiatives, and funding opportunities. Experience conducting due diligence, analyzing qualitative and quantitative information, and developing recommendations. Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable insights.
• Government and Systems Navigation: Comfort operating within state and local government environments. Understanding of how public-sector organizations function, make decisions, and implement change. Deep experience coordinating with public-sector leaders and agencies to advance strategic goals.
• Data and Learning Orientation: Ability to interpret impact data and translate findings into strategic recommendations. Commitment to evidence-based decision-making and continuous learning. Strong attention to detail and intellectual curiosity.
• Communication and Relationship Management: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong interpersonal presence and stakeholder management capabilities. Ability to communicate effectively with senior leaders, funders, policymakers, and practitioners.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Fast learner who thrives in ambiguity and rapidly evolving environments. Comfortable building systems, processes, and relationships from the ground up. Resourceful, proactive, and motivated by creating impact in a startup-oriented organization.
• Convening and Facilitation: Experience designing and facilitating stakeholder meetings, workshops, or collaborative initiatives. Ability to bring diverse perspectives together around shared goals.