Program Director

Role Description

Code for America is looking for a talented Program Director who will own delivery and strategic direction across a portfolio of high-impact programs. In this role, you will manage a team of Associate Program Directors and program staff, setting the conditions for excellent execution while maintaining the external relationships and policy fluency that government work requires. You will ensure that Code for America's programs not only deliver for clients and partners today, but build the organizational learning, government trust, and policy foundations that enable systemic, lasting change.

About the role:

• Lead portfolios of work at the intersection of technology, policy, and government service delivery.
• Own a portfolio of approximately four to six projects, which may include Safety Net benefits access, Tax programs, or Criminal Justice initiatives.
• Build and sustain relationships with federal agencies, state-level leadership, county partners, and community-based organizations.
• Work closely with other delivery colleagues to ensure projects achieve their intended impact.
• Report to the Senior Director of Safety Net and expected to travel no more than 15%-25% of the time.

In this position you will:

Portfolio Oversight

• Own partnership escalation and/or strategic direction across a portfolio of approximately four to six projects.
• Collaborate with the Partnerships team for efficient scoping and smooth handoffs.
• Ensure programs staff apply consistent delivery management practices.
• Align ongoing project-level direction & strategy with organizational strategy.
• Anticipate risks, staffing needs, and resource constraints across your portfolio.
• Support APDs in maintaining clear communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Partner with programs and resource management leadership for appropriate staffing.

People Management

• Directly manage Associate Program Directors (APDs) and other Program ICs.
• Coach and develop people managers on the team.
• Lead goal setting, performance reviews, and regular check-ins.
• Model Code for America's values and ways of working.

Strategy & Operations

• Surface insights from projects and partners to inform organizational priorities.
• Participate in optional cross-functional working groups.
• Ensure lessons learned inform other projects across your portfolio.

External Relationships & Communications

• Build and sustain relationships with federal agency leads and community-based organizations.
• Travel to partner sites and government offices as needed.
• Serve as a credible voice for Code for America.
• Ensure reporting across projects is purposeful and aligned with requirements.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in program development, policy, or government service delivery.
• Familiarity with agile or iterative program delivery approaches.
• 3+ years of experience managing teams, including direct management of at least one people manager.
• Proven track record of owning complex, multi-stakeholder program delivery.
• Deep familiarity with at least one of Code for America's program areas.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain trusted relationships.
• Strong understanding of government service delivery structures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously.
• Willingness to travel 15–25% of the time.
• Curiosity about emerging AI tools.
• A deep commitment to Code for America's mission.

Requirements

• Experience contributing to cultivation or business development work.
• Experience working in or alongside civic tech organizations.
• Experience with AI tools or technology-assisted service delivery.
• Proficiency in languages other than English.
• Experience managing philanthropic grant requirements.

Benefits

• Salary range: $121,869 to $149,188 annually.
• Comprehensive benefits package including:
• Leadership and teammates who share strong work ethic and values.
• Collaborative and joyful environment.
• Employee Enablement Support including laptop and remote setup payment.
• Professional Development stipend of $500 annually.
• Retirement & 401k Plans with employer match.
• Medical insurance options for full-time employees.
• Remote Work flexibility across the US.
• Open personal time off and paid holidays.
• Paid sick time and parental leave.
• 3 weeks of paid sabbatical after 5 years of service.

Company Description

Code for America believes government can work for the people, by the people, in the new digital age, and that government at all levels can and should work well for all people. For more than a decade, we’ve worked to show that with the mindful use of technology, we can break down barriers, meet community needs, and find real solutions.

Our employees build and transform government and community tools and services, making them so good they inspire change.

With a focus on transparency and fairness, and deep empathy for partners in government and community organizations, we’re building a movement of motivated change agents driven by meaningful results and lasting impact.

At Code for America, you contribute to exciting work while learning and developing in a supportive and flexible environment.