Senior Program Manager, Midwest

Location: Chicago,Illinois,United States

National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), the nation’s oldest and largest national parks nonprofit advocate, has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Program Manager to join our Midwest Region. This position will report to the Senior Regional Director, Midwest Region.

The Senior Program Manager plays a vital role in advancing NPCA’s efforts to protect, promote, and amplify the diverse cultural and historical narratives preserved within the Midwest's national parks. This position also supports Natural Resource issues at cultural parks but will have an emphasis on cultural and historical protection. This position leads advocacy, coalition-building, and power-building initiatives aimed at ensuring the preservation of significant cultural landscapes, including iconic sites such as Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Pullman National Historical Park, River Raisin National Battlefield Park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and Homestead National Historical Park. The Manager works to deepen collaboration with partners, activate support networks, and engage local communities in shaping the future of these historic sites. Additionally, this role is crucial in developing and implementing key initiatives like the Pullman Cultural Trail and fostering transformational partnerships. By expanding NPCA’s base of support, cultivating ambassadors, activating the Midwest Regional Advisory Council, and leveraging multi-sector coalitions, the Sr. Manager strengthens the organization’s capacity to drive long-term influence and ensure that both cultural and natural resources across the region are protected for future generations.

Location: Chicago, IL

Grade: N

Salary: $75,000- $90,000, commensurate with skills and experience.

Work Status: Full-time (32 hours per week); Exempt

Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for this role including a four-day, 32-hour work week, paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, and paid sabbaticals for staff after seven years of service. Learn more about our benefits at npca.org/jobs.  

Essential Functions: (% of Time)

·       Leadership in Policy and Advocacy: Lead policy and advocacy efforts that elevate the significance of the Midwest’s cultural and historic resources. Develop and execute strategies that protect and preserve parks like Pullman National Historical Park, a cornerstone of African American labor history, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which preserves landscapes of profound cultural and historical importance. Drive initiatives that celebrate diverse cultures and histories, while fostering collaboration with local communities to ensure the long-term preservation and recognition of these iconic sites. Through strong leadership, champion the advancement of policies that protect and promote the region’s most valuable cultural landscapes.  (40%)

·       Partnerships and Community Engagement: Build and sustain meaningful relationships with community leaders, local organizations, local elected officials, and regional stakeholders to expand NPCA’s influence and capacity. Foster partnerships with groups near parks to amplify stories and policy priorities, while actively engaging networks of advocates and volunteers reflecting the communities surrounding Midwest park sites. Strengthen NPCA's ability to address policy challenges by mobilizing support for cultural preservation, historic interpretation, and advocacy campaigns tied to national parks. (40%)

·       Development and Communications Support: Develop written materials suitable for communications with external partners, media, foundations, and donors. Regularly seek opportunities to advance funding goals and earned media for NPCA’s programs and campaigns in the Midwest Region in coordination with development and communications colleagues (10%).

·       Support for Regional Advisory Council: Provides support and strategic leadership, fostering collaboration to advance the region’s priorities. Leverage the council’s expertise to strengthen NPCA’s cultural resource and advocacy effort