Program Manager: Development, Grants and Operations

At NEWSWELL, we help newsrooms become nonprofit and for-community. We provide strategic guidance, innovative solutions and wrap-around operations so local journalists can focus on local news and newsrooms can thrive. We partner with Arizona State University, the nation’s most innovative nine years in a row, to offer game-changing ideas, tools and research. We transform local news to support local communities and bolster democracy. 

The program manager will be responsible for managing the details of development opportunities and initiatives from our cross-departmental team; financial and grant monitoring and reporting; coordination between myriad grant projects and pitches; and administrative support for the team to successfully complete their projects and deliverables. Highly effective organization, systems and structures management, attention to detail, communication and a collaborative approach are essential requirements for the role.

What you'll do:

• Plan, develop, implement, and manage details of projects and initiatives critical to our development efforts and grant management, including coordination with grant project leaders and collaborators on timelines, deliverables and costs.

• Establish and continually monitor/manage project expectations with the team; identify issues for resolution to ensure optimal team effectiveness.

• Prepare, submit and track targeted grant applications with support of the team.

• Prepare and maintain all grant project status reports and schedules; track milestones/deliverables, critical paths and dependencies; re-set expectations as needed in consideration of project progress/outcomes.

• Respond to all inquiries regarding project status.

• Prepare all post-project reports, budget allocations and summaries/filings to ensure timely dissemination of information to all interested parties.

• Work to make sure all costs associated with grant or development projects are identified, approved, and administered.

• Control expenditures in accordance with budget allocations.

• Responsible for entering budget forecasts and budget reallocations, monitoring and reconciling the annual operating budget as needed.

• Submits expense reports and reconciles monthly department credit card statements.

• Participate in or initiate ideas to streamline workflow.

• Process travel reimbursements, purchase of supplies, services, and equipment in accordance with established procurement and financial policies.

• Provide other administrative support necessary for team members to successfully complete projects and deliverables. Arrange meetings, conferences and travel. Prepare background materials.

• Help support facilitation of in-person and virtual events, meetings or summits as needed.

• Compile a weekly NEWSWELL newsletter that shares success stories from our projects and experiments.

• Update our social media with findings, wins and shareable ideas.

• Create an inclusive work environment that values diversity, fosters belonging, empowers others and nourishes a culture that pushes for and celebrates wins.

What you'll need:

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with NEWSWELL leadership, industry and university partners, and/or funders and supporters in a wide range of roles.

• Strong knowledge of project management principles, practices, and techniques needed for large, complex projects.

• Comfort working in a start-up environment, where we’re tackling projects and initiatives that haven’t been done before.

• Creative problem solving.

• Collaborative style, combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment 

• Attention to detail and thoroughness in completing assigned duties

• Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects

• Ability to work flexibility, both independently and as part of a team

• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible 

• Team-oriented strategist able to effectively manage complex situations involving numerous and sometimes competing constituencies

• Ability to abide by established deadlines and follow-through

Relevant