Senior Program Manager; Community Leadership

Job Description: Senior Program Manager; Community Leadership Location: Remote within rural Oregon, Washington, or Idaho, with a preference for candidates based in Central Washington, Eastern Oregon, Southeastern Washington, or Southwestern Idaho Position Type: Senior Program Management, Full-Time, Exempt Hiring Range: $70,000-$80,000 (DOE) Reports to: Senior Director of Programs and Partnerships Anticipated start date: Feb 1, 2027 About RDI Rural Development Initiatives, Inc. (RDI) is a rural development hub organization serving communities across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. We strengthen rural people, places, and economies through leadership development, small business growth and asset building, economic development strategies, and civic engagement. Our community-based work gives us a close understanding of rural opportunities, challenges, and local leadership. We connect local knowledge across communities and with the broader systems that influence rural opportunity, helping communities build local capacity and inform the policies, funding, and decisions that affect them. Position Summary RDI is seeking a Senior Program Manager to provide leadership for its Community Leadership Services, strengthening the capacity of rural people and communities to lead, collaborate, and shape their own futures. This position combines program leadership, community relationship-building, and resource development to ensure RDI's programs are responsive to community needs, impactful, and sustainable. The Senior Program Manager brings strong facilitation, program development, and relationship-building skills, along with the initiative to cultivate partnerships, identify funding opportunities, and build the support needed to sustain and grow this work. The position has primary responsibility for RDI's flagship Rural Community Leadership Program, while also supporting Spanish-language and youth programming in diverse communities and contributing to other capacity-building efforts across RDI. Drawing on deep engagement with rural communities and an understanding of local leadership development, this person will also help shape the future direction of RDI's Community Leadership Services and contribute to the organization's broader program strategy. Key Responsibilities This position advances RDI’s mission and strategic plan through the following responsibilities: Program Management, Coordination and Evaluation Lead assigned programs from planning through delivery and evaluation, managing scope, timelines, budgets, staffing, deliverables, and quality. Develop and implement funding strategies, identify prospective funders, cultivate funding relationships, and contribute to grant proposals and other funding requests. Manage program budgets, grant requirements, reporting, and funder relationships in coordination with RDI leadership. Oversee program logistics and participant communications for effective in-person and virtual delivery. Evaluate participant learning and program outcomes to identify opportunities for improvement. Provide direction, coordination, and support to program staff, facilitators, and contractors, and supervise staff if assigned. Program Design and Delivery Design, deliver, and adapt high-quality, experiential, and culturally responsive curricula and programs that reflect participants' cultures, experiences, and community contexts. Facilitate experiential learning and mentor local leaders to strengthen leadership skills, collaboration, and community-centered action. Design and facilitate complex group processes that bring diverse perspectives together, navigate differences, and build shared understanding and agreement around community priorities. Cultivate and support local leadership teams and program alumni, using participant and community feedback to adapt programming and sustain engagement beyond the program. Lead leadership development content and learning design for the biennial Regards to Rural conference, coordinating with colleagues responsible for logistics and delivery. May deliver training or consult on curriculum design in other RDI service areas, such as civic engagement or rural wealth building, in English or Spanish. Community Relationships, Outreach, and Partnerships Build and maintain trusted relationships with community leaders, local organizations, host organizations, program funders, and regional and state partners. Plan and carry out outreach and recruitment to bring diverse community members into programs and support their participation through completion. Develop partnerships with culturally specific organizations serving Latino, youth, low-income, and other diverse communities to coordinate resources and strengthen program delivery. Cultivate relationships with community partners, local businesses, philanthropic organizations, and other potential supporters to build local support, identify funding opportunities, and leverage resources. Represent RDI in regional and statewide networks and partnerships that advance community leadership development and strengthen RDI's visibility. Program and Organizational Strategy Assess community needs, program effectiveness, and emerging opportunities; recommend improvements, new approaches, and areas for growth. Bring insights from participants, community partners, evaluation, and emerging practice to inform the evolution of RDI's Community Leadership Services. Contribute to RDI's broader program strategy and organizational planning, identifying opportunities to strengthen program relevance, reach, and impact. Administrative and General Duties Contribute to a diverse, collaborative, and welcoming team environment, promoting respect, inclusion, and cultural responsiveness. Occasionally moderate or facilitate staff meetings. Maintain RDI's core organizational competencies and follow financial project management guidelines outlined in the Employee Handbook. Support RDI's commitment to justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Perform other duties as assigned. Key Qualifications and Skills These qualifications describe the experience, skills, and perspectives that will help someone succeed in this position. We welcome diverse professional, community, and lived backgrounds. Program and project management: Three to five years managing programs or projects, or equivalent experience leading work from planning through delivery and evaluation. Strong organizational and prioritization skills. Facilitation, training, and curriculum design: Experience designing and delivering experiential learning programs and facilitating complex group processes. Ability to navigate differing perspectives, build shared understanding, and support collective action. Relationship-building and cultural responsiveness: Ability to build trust and productive partnerships across cultures and perspectives. Experience with Tribal, Latino/Hispanic, and other diverse communities valued. Bicultural experience and Spanish proficiency are a plus. Funding development and resource cultivation: Ability to identify funding opportunities, build funder and community relationships, and contribute to grant proposals and other funding requests. Rural community development: Understanding of rural opportunities and challenges, commitment to rural communities, and belief in the ability of local people to shape their futures. Pacific Northwest experience valued. Strategic thinking and initiative: Proactive problem solver with sound judgment, adaptability, and ability to take ownership with limited supervision. Evaluation, adaptability, and professional growth: Ability to assess outcomes and feedback to improve programming. Attention to detail, reliable follow-through, flexibility, and commitment to learning. Communication and technology: Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office; virtual meeting, delivery and collaboration tools, and other management tools. Work Environment This position is primarily home-o