Programs Associate

Work Expectations

Full-time | Exempt | Remote Work | No Physical Labor Requirements | Consistent Travel within the US (at least quarterly) | Reports to Co-Director, Inclusive Workforce or Co-Director, Catalytic Capital

About UMA

UMA works to transform manufacturing ecosystems into drivers of just and equitable development that puts communities first. By convening a diverse network of partners to learn, share, co-design, and scale solutions, we act as a force multiplier for manufacturing-centered economic development strategies in which people, places, businesses, and the planet can thrive. 

Our three program pillars are cornerstones for ecosystem and community well-being:

• Our Catalytic Capital Pillar co-creates and delivers intentional interventions that better connect capital and technical assistance to small- and medium-sized manufacturing businesses, particularly those from marginalized communities.
• Our Inclusive Workforce Pillar takes a systems-change approach to create the conditions for more equitable manufacturing workforce ecosystems and lasting impacts for workers and businesses. 
• Our Place-based Strategies Pillar works with business-serving organizations on custom-fit engagements and strategies that confront barriers faced by owners and entrepreneurs in starting, scaling, and sustaining their businesses. 

The impact of our work is enriched and magnified by our collaborative partnership model, which gives greater definition and agency to stakeholders conventionally assigned to “supporting” roles in ecosystems-based approaches. We engage those who both traditionally associate with the manufacturing sector, and - more importantly - those who do not. 

Visit www.urbanmfg.org for more information.

About the Positions

UMA is hiring up to two Programs Associates to support development and execution of key projects that advance our programmatic and organizational goals. 

We seek motivated, self-directed, and team-oriented candidates who will support the development and implementation of projects within and across our three main Pillars (Inclusive Workforce, Catalytic Capital, and Place-Based Strategies) by excelling at administrative, communications, and project coordination responsibilities. Responsibilities include coordination of program-related activities, monitoring deliverables, performing data entry in our project management platform, organizing files, and offering thoughtful contributions to internal conversations on program design, direction and field-level developments. Candidates should complete tasks and deliverables efficiently and conscientiously, and motivate others to action within and outside the organization. 

Programs Associates will be assigned to specific projects based on past experience, training, interests, and UMA’s priorities. 

We are a racial-equity centered, entrepreneurial nonprofit at a critical stage of growth and are seeking colleagues who will share this mindset to propel us forward. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

Project support and implementation (70% of time)

• Provide a variety of administrative support across multiple projects, integrating and adapting to strategic direction from multiple Co-Directors and other team members. Typical administrative tasks include managing project work plans, coordinating key meetings including scheduling, agendas, and takeaways, supporting in-person events, and conducting discrete research projects. 
• Execute, communicate, and track tasks across participating internal and external stakeholders, balancing timely completion with integration of ideas and perspectives
• Support Co-Directors and project leads to design work plans and support project contributors and stakeholders to ensure successful implementation and reporting
• Support coordination with external partners across multiple activities spaces, ensuring proper documentation and follow up, and support creation of authentic, vulnerable, and meaningful spaces of engagement 
• Contribute to impact measurement activities, including data collection and analysis
• Support the creation of program-related outputs and deliverables (i.e. reports, white papers, etc) with clear, concise, and persuasive narratives 

Project and program development (20% of time)

• Conduct research and analysis to support project leads in evaluating opportunities and challenges 

Organizational Development and Outreach (10% of time)

• Work with program directors, development, communications, and operations team members to fill in on projects as needed
• Plan events such as webinars and in-person meetings and coordinate their execution
• Support project leads in developing agendas for sessions and workshops at in person and virtual events
• Support outreach activities, including research, drafting materials to send to potential network members, and tracking contacts and their engagement with the network

Applications will be accepted starting from October 29 to November 18.

We will be holding three interview rounds from November 19 to December 20 . We may consider a fourth and final round of interviews that will be conducted in-person in a metropolitan area most convenient for all candidates and relevant UMA team members.

Our target candidate start date is January 15, 2025.

Requirements

• Highly organized and detail-oriented 
• Results-driven, with strong problem-solving skills and a solutions-oriented approach to roadblocks, including the ability to develop innovative approaches and ideas to meet challenges  
• Effective at planning, monitoring, and reviewing project deliverables across multiple project streams  
• Capacity to work remotely and independently, including the ability to clearly and consistently communicate  progress and challenges  to program managers and team members
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to quickly absorb and synthesize complex information into succinct and compelling written products for diverse audiences.
• Ability to communicate and coordinate with remote stakeholder groups expertly, using digital meeting tools to track attendance, following-up to keep all informed and accountable
• Experience operating tech tools or comfort in learning new technology tools when needed. As a remote workplace, UMA leans into using technology to mediate team communications and productivity. Our core tools include: Google Workspace, digital project management platform Monday.com, Slack and Zoom for communications, and Miro as a collaborative workspace . 
• Able to manage conflict constructively, including the ability to self-reflect and to give and receive feedback up, down, and sideways in a remote working environment
• Willingness and enthusiasm to continuously learn about making and manufacturing and equitable economic development strategies, especially in group settings. 
• Relationship building skills, including empathy and listening skills, that facilitate developing relationships with UMA team members, partners and potential partners as well as between individuals and groups contributing to UMA projects
• Highly adaptive to multiple management styles and navigating uncertainty and changing needs in a quickly growing and changing organization
• All applicants must be authorized to work in the US.

Education/Experience/Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree or relevant professional experience is required. Graduate degree in urban planning, public policy, or related social science disciplines is a plus. 
• At least 3 years of work experience in a program or project management role, with demonstrated experience in managing projects, multidisciplinary teams, external partners, and delivering high-quality products on time. 
• We will prioritize candidates with experience working in a mission-driven organization in a comparable role coordinating groups, partners or cohorts around learning, decision making, or similar collaborative frameworks. 
• Familiarity and comfort navigating and discussing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) issues in a diverse team is a must. 
• While not required, candidates who bring knowledge or experience in one or more key issues that impact manufacturing - such as capital access, workforce development, regenerative/circular economic systems, entrepreneurial ecosystems, industrial land use, etc - will be evaluated favorably.
• Required have authorization to work in the United States.

Benefits

The starting salary for this position is $73,000-$75,000 based on experience.

UMA also  offers generous and competitive benefits including health care contributions, a 401k plan with 6% employer contribution upon eligibility, an annual professional development stipend, remote work stipends, and generous paid time off policies.  

DO YOU THINK THIS MIGHT BE YOU?

If you see yourself in this job description but don’t feel like you meet every single criteria, we encourage you to apply anyway! Research shows that individuals from historically marginalized groups, particularly women, trans, non-binary folks, and BIPOC, tend to self-select out of opportunities at higher rates. We take a holistic approach to all of our hiring practices and want to hire those who best align with our mission and goals.