Manager, Strategic Initiatives-OPEN

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health serves as the backbone support organization for the Oral Health Progress and Equity Network (OPEN). OPEN, an initiative of CareQuest Institute, is a diverse network of individuals and entities who are taking on America’s oral health challenges so that everyone has a chance to thrive. OPEN members use their unique experiences, knowledge, and skills to lead network activities every year, creating collective energy that is driving large-scale change. Through a strategic planning process, informed by OPEN members, oral health advocacy has become the organizing force behind OPEN’s work, resulting in an annual opportunity to engage with legislators and/or build their capacity in oral health policy advocacy.

The Manager, Strategic Initiatives – OPEN serves as a senior leader within the Philanthropy team, responsible for guiding the strategic direction, execution, and evaluation of OPEN. This role provides high-level leadership in project and program management, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and long-term strategy. The Manager leads cross-functional teams, drives annual planning and performance processes, and ensures the successful delivery of initiative outcomes. They bring a strategic mindset, strong leadership capabilities, and a commitment to operational excellence and equity-centered philanthropy.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program and Initiative Management

• Initiative Oversight: Lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of annual initiative plans, including goal setting, resource planning, and performance metrics.
• Program Execution: Oversee a portfolio of OPEN activities, events, and initiatives, ensuring timely, high-quality, and cost-effective delivery.
• Event Strategy: Direct the planning and execution of in-person and virtual events, including budgeting, logistics, vendor management, and coordination with marketing and communications.

• Implementation Support: Provide hands-on support to internal teams and external partners to ensure effective implementation of programs and initiatives, including developing tools, resources, and guidance to facilitate execution.
• Risk & Performance Management: Anticipate and mitigate risks, resolve issues proactively, and ensure accountability through structured project plans, timelines, and budgets.

Events Management

• Strategic Event Planning: Lead the development of an annual events strategy aligned with OPEN’s goals, ensuring a balanced portfolio of convenings, webinars, and network-driven presentations (Takes) that drive engagement and impact.
• End-to-End Event Execution: Oversee the planning and execution of all OPEN events—virtual, hybrid, and in-person—including venue selection, contract negotiation, vendor coordination, and on-site logistics.
• Content and Experience Design: Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to design compelling event agendas, identify high-impact speakers, and ensure inclusive, engaging participant experiences.\
• Budget and Resource Management: Develop and manage event budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness and alignment with organizational priorities.

Backbone Support

• Strategic Leadership: Partner with Philanthropy leadership to shape and implement the strategic vision for OPEN, ensuring alignment with CareQuest Institute’s mission and priorities.
• Team Management: Supervise and mentor project staff and cross-functional contributors, fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture.
• Relationship Management: Provide facilitative support and coordination to OPEN Committees, as needed.

Functional Collaboration

• Operational Integration: Drive cross-functional integration of OPEN across internal teams, identifying and implementing process improvements and operational efficiencies.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivate and manage relationships with OPEN members, partners, and stakeholders to foster engagement, collaboration, and shared learning.

Planning and Reporting

• Reporting & Evaluation: Lead quarterly and annual initiative reporting, impact evaluation, and knowledge management to inform strategic decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Event Measurement and Evaluation: Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for events, gather participant feedback, and apply insights to improve future programming.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, public health, public administration, business, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in program management, with at least 3 years in