Managing Director of Programs and Impact

We are Looking For

Mission and Values Alignment

• Commitment to TransitCenter’s mission: Passionate about securing a just and sustainable future with abundant public transportation; recognition how transit is a true example of “multi-solving”—delivering benefits across climate, equity, and economic mobility.
• Excitement about contributing to a culture of impact and collaboration: Eager to join a team dedicated to growing the movement for abundant public transit and committed to outcomes that improve mobility for underserved populations.
• Comfort with ambitious goals and high expectations: Thrives in a results-oriented environment, where accountability and performance are essential for driving change.
• Commitment to equity and inclusivity: Understand how transit is essential to ensure communities’ needs are met.
• Openness to feedback and continuous learning: Values direct communication, constructive feedback, and fostering a culture of growth, learning, and collaboration.g, and collaboration.

Strategic Leadership

• Work closely with the Executive Director to set and implement annual and long-term strategic priorities, including integrating strategy areas into the overall strategic plan and engaging with the Board of Directors as needed.
• Oversee all grantmaking, ensuring alignment with grantmaking values, and operations in collaboration with an external consultant, while overseeing Directors/Managers responsible for budgeting and financial management within their strategy areas.
• Oversee change management initiatives, ensuring smooth organizational transitions and the ability to adapt to shifting priorities and external factors.
• Support the development and refinement of organizational structures and processes to maximize program impact and operational efficiency.
• Ensure clear communication and alignment across the organization and run agendas for internal team weekly and quarterly meetings.ment across the organization.

Program Oversight & Organizational Impact

• Supervise and lead the Program Directors, ensuring alignment with TransitCenter’s broader mission and strategic goals in the execution of program strategies, goals.
• Foster a high-performance, inclusive, and impact-driven team culture across all programs, building metrics for success.
• Lead and facilitate cross-cutting program coordination and strategic planning across programs, ensuring alignment with the organizational mission and goals. Strengthen visibility and communication across teams by ensuring alignment on work streams, deliverables, key milestones, and roles. Facilitate regular cross-team updates and coordination to enhance collaboration and prevent silos.
• Support the development and implementation of impact assessments and monitoring & evaluation (M&E) strategies to measure and optimize program outcomes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and continuous improvement.

Organizational Advocacy & Representation

• In close partnership with the Executive Director, build strategic partnerships and cultivate relationships that advance TransitCenter’s mission.
• Identify potential allies and bring them into the movement.
• Serve as a champion for TransitCenter’s mission, representing the organization externally and fostering enthusiasm for its work.
• Help position TransitCenter as a key resource for other funders and the broader field.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for this role will be a seasoned leader with a track record in nonprofit management, program development, and cross-functional team leadership. They will possess strategic thinking and be able to guide teams through both high-level visioning and practical execution. The ideal candidate should be adept at managing multiple complex initiatives simultaneously, have a deep understanding of the nonprofit and philanthropic sector, and be passionate about the mission and goals of TransitCenter. They must be skilled at balancing high-level strategy with detailed execution in daily operations and adept at navigating the interconnected worlds of campaigns and policy. Experience in campaign or movement-building, philanthropic grantmaking, policy communications, grassroots organizing, or advocacy is a plus.

Qualifications

• 5 to 10 years of experience in a senior leadership role, with a proven track record of overseeing program teams, strategic planning, and organizational development.
• Expertise in managing staff, ensuring clear accountability and effective execution.
• Proven experience overseeing budgets and financial management at an organizational or departmental level, including working with Directors/Managers who manage strategy area budgets. 
• Strong business acumen with the ability to think organizationally and strategically, particularly in terms of change management and decision-making.
• Experience working with boards and stakeholders to drive meaningful impact and communications.
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a remote team environment.