IMPORTANT: This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders. Other applicants need not apply.
Reports to: Boston: Senior Program Manager (Corporate Programs)
Direct Reports: Program Coordinator (Other Programs) – Boston only
Location: Boston
Role Description
The objective of this role is to ensure the projects and/or programs you manage deliver an excellent Earthwatch experience*, which advances mission objectives, makes best use of resources and meets or exceeds customer expectations.
Your focus is on managing partner relationships, and delivering projects and/or programs to time, budget and required mission standards, working with your team to deliver results.
This should include understanding and responding to the needs of your partners. Key to this is managing an effective team and working collaboratively with other parts of Earthwatch on complex programs to achieve results.
*By excellent experience we mean:
- High quality field research which increases knowledge, informs policy and delivers positive environmental impacts
- Transformational learning which enables changes in knowledge, skills or behavior
- Responsibly managed activities, which follow our safety and EMS standards
- Inspiring engagement with staff, scientists, participants and partners that makes them want to belong to the Earthwatch community
Key areas of responsibility
Please note as the new structure is established globally, all Regional Program Management staff may be asked to undertake different tasks and focus on alternative projects and programs as required.
Overall responsibilities of all Program Managers may include:
- Responsibility for the successful management and delivery of specific funded and public programs and research projects within the Earthwatch region as required by the Senior Program Manager, including:
- Establishing clear objectives, deliverables and delivery timeline
- Coordinating cross-functional teams which will change over time depending on overall program demand and specifications
- Bringing in core/regional SME expertise as required
- Delivering potential in-field roles as required
- Responsible for delivering against global mission priorities, protocols and standards outlined by SME's (Research, Learning, Operations & Safety) to provide a consistently high quality Earthwatch experience
- Ensures excellent relationship management with funding partners, working closely with Development on the development, management and renewal of programs to maximize mission impact, including:
- Carrying out due diligence and reputational management
- Agreeing and managing appropriate partner communication and reporting processes
- Overseeing invoicing processes and maintenance of up to date partner information
- Providing specialist expertise and support for partners
- Relationship management of project scientists, responsible for recruitment and renewal of projects working closely with the relevant SME's and public program team, including:
- Managing PI payments and contract negotiations
- Acting as the 'go to' contact point on assigned projects for PIs, partners & Earthwatch staff
- Negotiating and agreeing team dates on assigned projects
- Assisting SME's in coordinating requests for new project proposals
- Managing project risk assessments, emergency response plans and site visits
- Coordinating incident management on assigned projects
- Oversees implementation of facilitator training and deployment across regional programs, in close liaison with Learning SMEs
- Demonstrates the desired management behaviors which embody our brand values and consistently reinforces these across and beyond the team
- Line management of Program Coordinators in the region with responsibility for recruiting, retaining and developing talent within the team and engaging and inspiring them around Earthwatch's mission and business goals with clear objectives
- Finance and reporting: managing program/project budgets and reporting against agreed program metrics ( mission, customer & financial) as required by the senior program managers and partners
- Field delivery: Program Managers may be called upon to lead or support teams in the field within their region as required and depending on experience
Specific responsibilities of this role:
This role will have responsibility for management and delivery of a range of programs funded by corporate and other partners, meeting or exceeding levels of outstanding customer service against business plan targets. The Program Manager will work with Program team colleagues across different regions to develop and implement best practice processes and partner communication, and will ensure that opportunities to strengthen and develop these programs are seized.
Key Relationships and Interface
A key requirement of this role is the effective collaboration with other parts of the organization across functions and regions, to deliver agreed regional and organizational goals.
- Key interface with partners (mission and/or funding), representing Earthwatch and stewarding those relationships to increase commitment to and participation in our program
- Key interface between Program & Development, working with relevant members of the Development team to steward partner relationships, communicate program successes and steer the program towards successful renewal
- Key relationship with other program managers, ensuring sharing program ideas and best practice
- Finance interface: working with finance to ensure appropriate financial budgeting, tracking and reporting
- Operations: liaising with ops to share information regarding supply and demand across projects and programs, and to ensure compliance with EMS standards and safety protocols
Personal Specification:
Summary Requirements
- Relevant degree in environment, management, science or business
- 3+ years experience in NGO sector, including working with virtual teams across regions
- Proven track record in managing projects and programs
Experience
You are an excellent relationship manager, able to understand the needs of different stakeholders and with a keen focus on developing and implementing high global standards of customer service. You have experience in managing and developing effective teams to deliver results, demonstrating collaborative working across different teams, regions and functions to help deliver growth of the public program. You are able to set and communicate priorities effectively and deliver program objectives to time and budget. Some experience of leading/supporting corporate teams in the field would be beneficial. Working across the Program Team, including the Youth/Educator programs, may be called upon if needed. Fluency in second language that our corporate teams have a presence, such as Spanish, French, or Chinese, is preferred.
Competencies/Management Behaviors
1) Managing Relationships and Communication:
- the ability to inspire and motivate colleagues, partners and funders through excellent interpersonal skills
- the ability to manage high performing teams, fostering energy and enthusiasm
- promoting collaboration across the organization, avoiding silos and valuing diversity
- operating with organizational and personal integrity, inspiring trust
2) Managing Teams:
- taking time to manage and develop teams, managing a flexible approach to project team resourcing
- creating an environment that promotes knowledge sharing, innovation and best practice
- treating people with fairness and respect, encouraging an effective work-life balance
- understanding and managing your own personal strengths and development areas
3) Driving Results:
- excellent planning and project management skills, taking responsibility for the development and delivery of regional projects and programs
- managing competing priorities on an ongoing basis, able to retain clear focus
- utilizing technology to aid planning and efficient communication
4) Commercial Acumen:
- managing financial budgets across programs
- management of ROI; understanding and reporting program impacts to partners
- balancing external perspectives and internal resource demands
5) Leadership and Vision:
- the ability to communicate and engage your team around Earthwatch's business plan and goals
- able to review and improve on a continual basis, adapting to external factors and managing ongoing change
- acknowledging and celebrating success, taking pride in the team's results and inspiring confidence and respect
- demonstrating commitment to Earthwatch's mission and values, displaying the desired management behaviours
6) Innovation and Initiative:
- the ability to find creative ideas and solutions which overcome obstacles and add value, with a 'can-do' positive attitude
- an ongoing drive to find better ways to do business, able to constructively challenge the status quo in order to drive better mission delivery, revenue generation and results
- able to see ways to align mission and funder priorities for mutual benefit
Earthwatch Values
Inclusive - We believe it is essential that people participate in solving the environmental challenges we face.
Objective - Independent research is at the core of our work, and its outcomes determine our goals and priorities.
Passionate - We are passionate about the opportunity we have to make a meaningful impact on people and the planet.
Empowering - We seek to inspire people, organizations and communities with experiences, knowledge and tools that enable them to take action.
Responsible - We act in a manner that respects and protects the wellbeing of people and the environment, including our staff, researchers, volunteers and the places we work.
Paygrade/Job Banding C-8 to C-20 $42,488 to $51, 758
Please send cover letter and resume to hr@earthwatch.org.
