Position Title: Program Manager - Transportation, Climate & Energy, and Municipal Engagement

Status: Regular, Non-exempt, Full time (35 hours weekly) 

Location: Hybrid– in-person meetings in the office or at locations around the Upper Valley are required

Hiring Range: $66,800-$69,000

Posting Date: August 13, 2026

To Apply: Submit an application at https://vitalcommunities.org/about/join-our-team/. See the end of this posting for information on what constitutes a complete application. 

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  Review will begin immediately.

About Vital Communities

Vital Communities has a dedicated and passionate team who are deeply involved in the Upper Valley in their work with the organization and as community members. This informs our highly collaborative approach to work – we understand that we exist in tandem with the world around us and not in a vacuum. The organization has a long history in the community, with projects that have decades of work behind them, so we are often trying to figure out how to say yes to new projects the community wants to see. However, we also realize that sometimes we need to say not now or that another organization may be a better fit – we share the wealth! We are a flexible workplace – with our approaches to the work, the projects we take on as an organization, and how we make use of our time together when we are in person. This flexibility is balanced by an expectation of accountability to our colleagues, our partners, and the communities we serve. We empower team members to work with a high level of autonomy and to take initiative. Our work is challenging and ever-changing, so we make room to laugh, but there is no need for you to be goofy to join our team. To learn more about our values, please visit our Strategic Compass and JEDI Principles.

The Job at a Glance

The Program Manager oversees a robust portfolio of intersectional projects in two key program areas: Transportation and Climate & Energy, advancing innovative solutions to regional challenges, with a particular focus on communities disproportionately impacted. Additionally, the Program Manager is responsible for Municipal Topics, a cross-cutting portfolio that touches other program areas. Vital Communities’ Transportation Program works with partners to build a safe, reliable, multi-modal transportation system for the Upper Valley. Our Climate & Energy Program focuses on building climate-resilient communities by deepening relationships, embracing climate adaptations, and implementing a just transition to renewable energy. Current Municipal Engagement areas include housing, zoning, solid waste management, and climate resilience.

Personal transportation is required (mileage and travel time compensated), along with willingness to work occasional nights and weekends for municipal meetings, community events and stakeholder meetings.

Please note that due to the fluctuating nature of grant-funded work and emerging community priorities over time, the program portfolios associated with this position will evolve. In the current fiscal year, the approximate anticipated level of effort for this role is: Climate & Energy 25%, Transportation 40%, Municipal Engagement 30%, and 5% organization-wide work.

Job responsibilities

Oversee program area portfolios within the larger context of Vital Communities

Work closely with the Programs Director and other Program Managers to set strategic programmatic priorities for the organization

Develop and manage annual program area budgets based on complex braided funding from government, corporate, foundation, and individual donors with varying levels of restriction

Apply systems thinking to program design and delivery

Collaborate with fellow Program Managers on cross-cutting initiatives

Supervise and conduct ongoing assessment and evaluation activities to ensure programming aligns with both organizational goals and community priorities and to identify emerging opportunities for innovative solutions and new partnerships

Advocate for program area needs and represent input from direct report staff -- including differing viewpoints and ideas for improving operations – in communications with directors and other program managers

Manage program area staff

Supervise project managers, coordinators, and interns

Work with program team to build out annual workplans, monitor and adapt as needed for successful outcomes

Offer coaching and thought partnership to direct reports

Steer program area sustainability

Identify strategic funding opportunities for program portfolio stability and growth

Contribute to successful grant proposals in collaboration with the Development team

Encourage program area investment through donor meetings and written reports

Implement programs

Conduct hands-on project work

Incorporate partner and community input into program and project design, delivery, and evaluation

Serve as an internal consultant to other program areas

Collaborate to strengthen Upper Valley program partners, networks, and systems

Expand strategic partnerships by identifying new opportunities and maintaining existing relationships

Identify opportunities to uplift and support the work of partner organizations, including when to step up and when to step back in collaborations with stakeholders and community members

Represent Vital Communities in regional, state, and Upper Valley program networks

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

Qualified individuals will have a bachelor's degree and 4 or more years of relevant experience, or a comparable combination of relevant education and experience.

Familiarity/experience with some or all of the following:

Rural transportation systems (preferred), Upper Valley transportation systems (a plus)

Climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, community resilience and sustainability efforts, and/or environmental justice

Municipal governance and regional structures (e.g., regional planning commissions, school supervisory unions/school administrative units) in the Upper Valley, how zoning impacts relevant program areas (e.g., housing availability)

Creativity and strategic vision, with a focus on co-designing and executing impactful projects that are grounded in, and guided by, the expertise of impacted community members and stakeholders.

Strong project management skills, including the ability to prioritize workloads across multiple projects and apply time management best practices to achieve grant and strategic outcomes for complex portfolios

Ability to operate successfully in a relationship-based culture, connecting with community members and stakeholders across varied viewpoints and philosophies

Clear verbal and written communication, including the ability to explain complex concepts for a variety of audiences and produce concise and engaging written content

Excellent group facilitation skills

Attention to detail

Experience with data gathering and analysis, including using data to drive decisions and continuous improvement

Familiarity with collective impact and Results-Based Accountability a plus

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