Senior Program Manager, Major Initiatives

Title:                            Senior Program Manager, Major Initiatives

Reports to:               Vice President

Job Summary:             The Senior Program Manager leads the coordination and execution of one of Heritage’s key strategic priorities, known as a Focus Area. Working closely with the Focus Area Chair and Heritage’s Command Center, a center of excellence for cross-functional coordination and execution, this role turns strategy into action by connecting teams and resources, driving collaboration, maintaining accountability, and keeping priorities moving toward measurable results. This role requires strong program management skills, a campaign-oriented mindset, and a proactive, solutions-focused approach to getting things done.

Heritage is hiring four Senior Program Managers, each supporting a different social, economic, or foreign policy area while working in close coordination with one another to advance shared priorities. These are full-time positions with an initial one-year term. Continuation beyond the initial term may be considered based on organizational needs, performance, and evolving strategic priorities.

Job Duties:

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Develop and execute short and long-term plans for the assigned Focus Area.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear plans, timelines, responsibilities, and deliverables.
• Drive progress toward goals by identifying risks, removing obstacles, and recommending solutions.
• Ensure Focus Area activities remain aligned with Heritage’s broader priorities and objectives.

Collaboration & Integration

• Serve as a key link between the Focus Area Chair, Command Center, and teams across the organization, maintaining visibility into progress, risks, resource needs, decisions, and emerging opportunities.
• Work closely with fellow Senior Program Managers to share information, coordinate efforts, and identify opportunities for collaboration across Focus Areas.

Cross-Functional Execution

• Coordinate work across Policy, Communications, Marketing, Development, Government Relations, Events, and other teams.
• Bring the right people and resources together to move priorities forward.
• Lead working sessions that resolve issues, drive decisions, and maintain accountability.
• Keep teams aligned on priorities, deadlines, responsibilities, and next steps.

Audience Engagement & Impact

• Understand target audiences, stakeholders, and opportunities to expand Heritage’s reach and influence.
• Partner with Communications and other teams to expand the reach and impact of the Focus Area efforts.
• Integrate audience development and outreach into Focus Area planning and execution.

Performance Tracking & Reporting

• Maintain dashboards and other tools to track progress and results.
• Provide the Focus Area Chair with concise updates on performance, risks, decisions, and recommended actions.
• Capture and apply lessons learned to strengthen future planning and execution.

Qualifications:

Education:             Bachelor's degree; PMP or equivalent preferred

Experience:           5+ years of experience in program or project management, communications, public affairs, campaign operation, or a related field

Communication:   Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate clearly to diverse audiences

Technology:          Microsoft Suite; experience with project management and reporting tools preferred

Other Requirements:           

• Understand and support the Heritage mission and vision for America, and its policy goals and objectives.
• Enterprise-first mindset with a strong commitment to shared success, collaboration, and organizational impact.
• Ability to build trust and work effectively across teams.
• Resourceful and action-oriented, with a demonstrated ability to solve problems and get things done.
• Strong program management skills; ability to hold multiple teams and workstreams accountable to deadlines.
• Sound judgment, discretion, adaptability, and a commitment to excellence.

Benefits and Salary:

The Heritage Foundation offers a highly competitive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, best-in-class health care, vision, and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement funding, “take what you need” PTO and sick leave, 14 weeks of paid leave for new moms and 6 weeks of paid leave for new dads, among other programs.

The salary range for this role is $110,000 - $130,000 annually. This range is a good-faith estimate, and the final salary offered to a selected candidate depends on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, and other qualifications; internal and external market pay for comparable jobs; and level of hire based on aforementioned qualifications.