Sr. Program Manager, Center for Civic Futures

Center for Civic Futures (CCF), a program of Renaissance Philanthropy, exists to align government leaders, technology builders, and partners around transformative opportunities presented by AI and emerging technologies. We envision a future where governments are able to both effectively harness emerging technologies to meet the needs of a changing world, and stand at the forefront of responsible AI driving positive change for everyday people. Center for Civic Futures is seeking an experienced Sr. Program Manager who will be responsible for the strategic leadership and end-to-end execution of key initiatives within CCF’s Health & Human Services portfolio. The Sr. Program Manager will work across CCF’s Health & Human Services initiatives, collaborating with state agencies and partner organizations to modernize public benefits delivery through human-centered design and AI. Reporting to the Director of HHS Programs, the Sr. Program Manager will play a critical role in shaping program strategy, managing senior stakeholder relationships, and ensuring the successful design, delivery, and continuous adaptation of convenings, partnerships, and cross-functional initiatives within the HHS portfolio. In particular, the Sr. Program Manager will play a major role in launching and leading the CCF Government Accelerator, a brand new initiative that helps state HHS agencies design and launch AI-enabled modernization projects. This position is a fully remote, US based role with occasional travel for convenings and partner meetings. We offer a full healthcare package, 5% 401(k) or pension contribution, additional $550/month (US) for fringe benefits, and base salary. The base salary range(s) for this role are as follows: $130,000 - $150,000 Role and Responsibilities Core Competencies: Strategic Program Leadership: Independently leads complex initiatives from planning through implementation and adaptation, adjusting course as new information and constraints emerge. Cross-Sector Relationship Management: Builds trusting, durable relationships across government, nonprofit, community, and technical stakeholders, including senior officials and executives. Program & Operational Management: Reliably manages complex workflows, timelines, dependencies, and deliverables across multiple concurrent initiatives. Facilitation & Communication: Convenes diverse stakeholders, synthesizes complex information, and drives productive collaboration and decision-making. Adaptive Leadership: Takes initiative, navigates uncertainty, and maintains momentum and team morale in evolving, loosely-structured environments. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Strong strategic and organizational judgment; able to prioritize across multiple high-stakes workstreams without losing follow-through Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including drafting materials for senior government, philanthropic, and executive audiences Demonstrated ability to independently manage relationships with senior stakeholders (state government officials, executives, technical experts, funders) Deep familiarity with, or strong working knowledge of, state-administered health and human services systems and public benefits delivery Strong working knowledge of AI applications within public benefits and human services contexts Comfort operating with significant ambiguity, bringing structure, timelines, and accountability to loosely defined initiatives Proactive, resourceful, and solutions-oriented; comfortable making judgment calls with incomplete information Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools (e.g., Asana, Slack, Google Workspace) Nice to Have: Experience standing up new programs, teams, or initiatives from the ground up, without a fully built-out infrastructure or team in place Background in nonprofit strategy, consulting, or government leadership roles Familiarity with AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot) Direct experience working in or with state health and human services agencies or benefits programs Key Qualifications 6–9 years of relevant professional experience in civic technology, public sector innovation, health and human services, nonprofit strategy/operations, digital services, or related fields Demonstrated experience leading complex initiatives, programs, teams, or multi-stakeholder projects in ambiguous, fast-paced environments Track record of independently taking a program from strategy through implementation and adaptation, not just execution against a set plan Experience working directly with state government agencies, public sector organizations, or mission-driven initiatives focused on public benefits or human services Comfort with working as both a builder and a leader; willingness to do hands-on execution while also setting strategy and direction Experience managing or mentoring junior staff, contractors, or cross-functional contributors preferred Outcomes If you are successful in this role, in three years’ time, you will have launched, nurtured, and scaled key HHS initiatives. Values You will thrive within our team, if you: Have strong mission and vision alignment: You believe in the power of science, innovation, and technology to create a brighter future for all. Exhibit high agency: You can move mountains and break perceived constraints. Inspire others and are highly collaborative: You can motivate others to join your mission and goals. You understand the value of going further by working with others. Value exceptional talent and the power of networks: You can spot or nurture exceptional talent and believe in the value of building networks and the power law of talent. Are comfortable working in fast-moving and ambitious teams: You are not afraid of ambiguity and enjoy working at pace. Diversity We encourage anyone who is interested in this role to apply, regardless of whether you feel you meet 100% of the qualifications. The top candidates will bring their own unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds from a variety of industries along with many but not necessarily all the skills listed above. Recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and retaining a diverse workforce is critical to our success. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Renaissance Philanthropy is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.