Program and Partnership Manager

Overview

The Program & Partnership Manager advances the organization’s mission through the management and delivery of public programs, educational initiatives, partnerships, and collaborative projects. The position manages multiple concurrent projects from planning through completion, coordinating internal and external contributors, timelines, budgets, deliverables, communications, and evaluation.

This role also contributes to the development and improvement of programs and partnerships, identifying opportunities to strengthen existing work and advance organizational priorities. Success in this position requires strong project management, relationship management, organization, and judgment, as well as the ability to keep complex work moving while knowing when issues require leadership attention.

Program & Project Management

• Manage a portfolio of concurrent public programs and projects, including exhibitions, educational and youth programs, digital and multimedia projects, and lifelong learning opportunities including online and in person programs.
• Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, budgets, responsibilities, deliverables, and measures of success, and oversee projects from planning through completion.
• Coordinate colleagues, partners, consultants, vendors, subject‑matter experts, and other contributors to ensure projects remain on track and meet established goals.
• Monitor progress, anticipate challenges, resolve issues within established direction, and bring significant issues forward with appropriate context and recommendations.
• Evaluate programs using a range of qualitative and quantitative feedback and use findings to strengthen existing programs and inform future planning.
• Contribute to the development of new programs and initiatives that advance organizational priorities and respond to opportunities.

Partnership & Collaboration Management

• Manage designated initiatives connected to partnerships, coalitions, and collaborations, serving as the primary staff liaison for day‑to‑day communication and coordination.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with partners and collaborators and identify opportunities for new or expanded collaboration.
• Coordinate shared goals, responsibilities, schedules, budgets, deliverables, communications, and decision‑making across organizations and project teams.
• Support senior leadership in maintaining key institutional relationships by preparing for meetings, tracking commitments, coordinating follow‑through, and ensuring continuity between leadership‑level conversations and implementation.
• Represent the organization in partner meetings, professional networks, conferences, programs, and other settings as appropriate.

Program Administration & Compliance

• Work collaboratively across development, communications, finance, operations, and other functions to ensure programs and partnerships are effectively planned, resourced, communicated, and delivered in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Provide Advancement staff with program narratives, context, budgets, outcomes, participation data and other information needed for proposals, funder reporting, donor communications, stewardship, and fulfillment of commitments.
• Provide Finance staff with timely and accurate information needed for financial reporting, budgeting, and proper tracking and allocation of expenses against restricted and designated funds.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of program activities, deliverables, commitments, and outcomes, and prepare reports and other materials for organizational leadership, boards, funders, partners, and other stakeholders.

• Bachelor’s degree in history, public history, museum studies, education, humanities, nonprofit management, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in museums, public history organizations, cultural nonprofits, educational programming, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing public programs, educational initiatives, exhibitions, partnerships, or complex collaborative projects.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, budgets, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong judgment, problem‑solving skills, and ability to anticipate issues and develop practical solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, small‑team environment and within established organizational priorities, policies, agreements, and financial parameters.
• Experience with program budgets, contracts, grant‑funded projects preferred.
• Commitment to public history, cultural programming, education, and the organization’s mission.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly for programs, partner meetings, conferences, and organizational activities, including periodic multi‑day travel.

Candidate Location and Hybrid vs. Remote Work:

Candidates based in or near Springfield, IL, will follow a hybrid work arrangement. Candidates based outside the Springfield area will work remotely, with increased travel expectations.