Program Manager

About Common Mission Project (CMP)

The Common Mission Project (CMP) operates at the intersection of education, innovation, STEM, and national interest, empowering the next generation of public-interest entrepreneurs to tackle critical challenges. CMP provides non-dilutive funding, applied innovation training, and facilitates collaboration between military, government, academic, and private sector partners. By fostering civic engagement and innovation, CMP prepares future leaders to address national and global issues. As the organization behind the Hacking for Defense® (H4D) movement, CMP plays a pivotal role in strengthening America’s innovation and national security sectors.

Position Summary

The Programs Manager is the delivery switchboard for CMP's educational programs, responsible for ensuring H4D, Mission for Maritime, and future initiatives run flawlessly from kickoff to completion. This role owns program execution, cross-functional coordination, educator training delivery, and alumni engagement, while managing a Program Coordinator and collaborating closely with Operations, Events, and Finance.

You'll be the person who keeps all the moving parts aligned: timelines, stakeholders, deliverables, and dependencies. You'll ensure educator training is structured, coordinated, and delivered perfectly, working in tandem with the Ops & Events team who handles production. And as CMP launches new programs, you'll be central to building them from the ground up.

This role is designed to grow. You'll start as a senior executor and trusted partner to the Director of Education and Executive Director, with a clear path toward increased decision-making authority as you demonstrate mastery of CMP's programs and stakeholder landscape.

This Role is For You If…

• You're the person everyone counts on to make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
• You thrive at the intersection of strategy and execution, comfortable in a planning meeting and a logistics war room.
• You can hold the full picture of a complex program portfolio in your head while managing the details that make it work.
• You're energized by building new things, not just running what already exists.
• You influence outcomes through relationships, not just authority.
• You take ownership, when something's yours, it gets done.

Key Responsibilities

*Program Delivery & Execution*

• Own end-to-end delivery of CMP programs, ensuring all milestones and contract deliverables are met on time and to standard.
• Maintain the master calendar and deliverable tracker for CMP's program portfolio.
• Manage program timelines, track progress, and proactively surface and resolve risks.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for educators and program partners, ensuring clear communication and alignment.

*Cross-Functional Coordination*

• Act as the switchboard across CMP, coordinating between Events, Operations, Finance, Education, and Marketing to ensure smooth handoffs and aligned priorities.
• Facilitate regular program check-ins and escalation paths for risks or blockers.
• Ensure dependencies between events, educator training, and strategic initiatives are tracked and managed.

*Educator Training Delivery*

• Own the structure, coordination, and delivery of educator training sessions, certification courses, and ongoing professional development.
• Partner with the Ops & Events team to ensure seamless execution.
• Maintain accurate records of certifications, training attendance, and program participation.
• Continuously refine training content and delivery based on feedback and emerging best practices.

*New Program Builds*

• Lead the operational build-out of new programs from 0 to 1.
• Develop launch plans, stakeholder engagement strategies, and delivery frameworks for emerging initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to integrate new methodologies and structures into program design.

*Alumni Network*

• Design and build CMP's alumni engagement function from 0-1, including database architecture, outreach strategy, and engagement programming.
• Create and manage the alumni database, ensuring accurate and organized records.
• Plan and execute alumni events, communications, and feedback loops to foster an active, connected community.

*Team Leadership*

• Manage and develop the Program Coordinator, ensuring accountability, growth, and progress on key initiatives.
• Set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and create opportunities for professional development.

*Process Improvement & Documentation*

• Identify and implement efficiency improvements in program delivery.
• Maintain documentation and SOPs for recurring initiatives to ensure ongoing program stewardship.
• Recommend and integrate tools for improved tracking, reporting, and coordination.

First 90-Day Success Milestones

Days 1-30: Onboard & Orient

Build a deep understanding of CMP's programs, stakeholders, and operational systems. Establish relationships with Ops, Events, Finance, and Education leads. Take ownership of immediate program deliverables and the Program Coordinator relationship.

Days 31-60: Own the Rhythm

Fully own program delivery cadences. Build a consolidated view of all program deliverables for the next two quarters. Launch initial alumni database structure and outreach plan. Ensure all active program milestones are green and on track.

Days 61-90: Systematize & Scale

Establish a program health reporting cadence for the Executive Director and leadership team. Deliver first alumni engagement touchpoint. Document and refine SOPs for program delivery. Demonstrate clear command of CMP's program portfolio and cross-functional dependencies.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs, ideally in defense, aerospace, national security, or experiential education.
• Proven ability to manage in a demanding environment; end-to-end program delivery from strategy through execution.
• Experience managing direct reports and developing junior team members.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to influence without direct authority and manage relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
• Comfortable in a fast-moving, startup-minded nonprofit environment.
• Self-directed and capable of working independently while staying aligned with organizational priorities.
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's in education, public policy, nonprofit management, or related field a plus.
• Prior experience in the military or defense sector is preferred.

*Due to the nature of our work, U.S. citizenship is required for this position.*

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range:

$95,000 - $110,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
- Benefits:

Health insurance, retirement plan, PTO, professional development budget.
- Location:

Remote. Eastern time zone location preferred with in-person travel for program events, or team gatherings.

Why Join CMP?

This role offers the opportunity to be at the center of everything CMP does, ensuring programs launch, run, and land with excellence. You'll build new initiatives from scratch, lead a growing team, and develop the systems that will scale with CMP's ambitions. If you want a seat at the table and your fingerprints on work that matters, this is the role.