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Program Manager, Strategic Implementation

PDK International

Job Location:

Arlington, TX - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 80000 - 100000

Posted: 1 October 2026 (19 hours ago)

Application Deadline: 29 December 2026

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly organized systems-minded leader who thrives on turning strategy into execution. Program Manager Strategic Implementation will lead the implementation of high-priority cross-functional strategic initiatives by building the structures tools and coordination needed to move complex work forward.

Some initiatives will remain under this roles leadership throughout their lifecycle while others will transition to operational teams once a strong implementation foundation has been addition to leading and managing strategic initiatives this role will help build consistent program and project management practices across the organization strengthening our ability to plan coordinate and deliver complex work effectively.

This is a highly collaborative role that works across teams and levels of the organization. The ideal candidate is someone who can zoom out to understand the strategic goal zoom in to manage the details and bring people together to ensure work keeps moving. This role reports to the Chief of Staff.

Core Responsibilities and Measures of Success

Lead Strategic Initiative Implementation

Own the planning and execution of complex cross-functional initiatives from kickoff through completion or transition to an operational owner.

Core Responsibilities:

Translate strategic priorities into clear executable plans
Establish timelines milestones owners governance structures and success measures
Coordinate work across departments and ensure teams understand roles responsibilities and dependencies
Monitor progress identify and manage risks and remove obstacles to keep work moving
Facilitate decision-making and ensure key decisions and next steps are documented and followed through
Lead implementation through completion or facilitate a thoughtful seamless handoff to an operational owner
Provide clear consistent communication and reporting to organizational leaders

Examples of initiatives:

Federal grants and foundation-funded initiatives
New organizational priorities
Cross-functional operational programs and projects
Strategic launches and pilots

Measures of success:

Strategic programs and projects start well with clear plans owners timelines governance and success measures from day one
Complex initiatives move forward with strong coordination clear accountability and fewer surprises
Leaders have greater visibility into progress risks dependencies and decisions
Strategic initiatives are successfully completed or transitioned to operational owners with the structures and knowledge needed for continued success

Build Organizational Program Management Capability

Create the systems tools and practices that help teams across the organization execute work more consistently and effectively.

Core Responsibilities:

Develop shared program and project management standards templates tools and expectations
Create scalable processes for project kickoff planning progress tracking and reporting
Improve visibility into organizational priorities major initiatives and cross-functional work
Build and maintain dashboards and tracking systems that support effective decision-making
Identify opportunities to improve organizational workflows and ways of working
Capture lessons learned and continuously refine program and project management practices

Measures of success:

Teams have shared tools templates language and expectations for managing programs and projects
Teams spend less time reinventing project management processes and more time executing the work itself
Leaders have greater visibility into organizational priorities and the status of major initiatives
Program and project management practices become increasingly consistent scalable and effective across the organization

Partner with Teams to Enable Successful Execution

Serve as an internal program and project management partner to leaders and teams across the organization providing hands-on support and coaching to help important work succeed

Core Responsibilities:

Support teams in launching and structuring new initiatives
Facilitate planning kickoff and working sessions
Coach program and project leads on implementation and project management best practices
Help teams establish clear governance roles communication plans and decision-making structures
Provide additional implementation support during critical phases of programs and projects
Build strong relationships across departments and serve as a trusted partner who helps teams navigate complexity and keep work moving

Measures of success:

Leaders and teams feel better equipped to plan and execute complex work
Teams have greater clarity about roles responsibilities decisions and next steps
Leaders spend less time managing the mechanics of programs and projects and more time focused on strategy content and decisions
The organization has greater confidence in its ability to deliver complex work effectively

Who You Are

You are a strong program manager who brings structure to complexity without creating unnecessary bureaucracy. You are naturally organized highly collaborative and comfortable working across teams and levels of an organization. You know how to take a big-picture goal and turn it into a practical planand you have the persistence and judgment to keep that plan moving when priorities shift or obstacles arise.

You are equally comfortable building systems and rolling up your sleeves to manage the details. You can facilitate a meeting build a project plan identify a risk ask a hard question and communicate a concise status update to senior leaders. You bring a calm solutions-oriented approach to complex work and are energized by helping others execute well.

Experience and Qualifications

35 years of experience managing cross-functional programs and projects ideally in a complex mission-driven education nonprofit or similarly collaborative environment.
Demonstrated ability to translate complex or ambiguous priorities into clear plans timelines roles deliverables and measures of successand drive work through completion.
Strong project management facilitation communication and relationship-building skills with experience coordinating across teams and managing competing priorities dependencies and risks.
Experience building or improving systems processes tools or templates that help teams work more effectively and execute more consistently.
Experience working with education grants or federally or foundation-funded initiatives is a plus; experience with creative agencies designers or other external partners is also a plus.
Familiarity with project management methodologies such as Agile Scrum or similar approaches is a plus.

Compensation

Salary range will be between $80000- $100000 commensurate with experience plus competitive benefits.

How to Apply

Your resume and cover letter will serve as your application. To be considered for this role submit your resume and cover letter to with the subject line Program Manager Strategic Implementation.

Deviation from this subject line will cause a delay in the processing of your application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Required Experience:

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