Director of Programs Management

PACT Overview

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.

Department

Programs - Pact strives for a world where all people are heard, capable, and vibrant. The Programs Team helps realize this objective by bridging program management, technical support, and business development, enabling Pact to achieve its global strategy. We ensure program excellence through continuous learning, monitoring and evaluation and provide organizational and industry-wide thought leadership by leveraging a complementary set of cross-functional, multi-disciplinary skills, expertise, and experiences. The Programs team: influences progressive change through the development and implementation of global and regional strategies and business plans; supports advancement of innovative solutions; pursues new business opportunities; and drives effective internal and external engagement to maximize Pact’s impact across the globe. Across all aspects of its role, the Programs Department adheres to and promotes a culture of inclusion, accountability, and respect.

Position Overview

Under the direction of the Senior Vice President of Programs, the Director of Programs Management is responsible for overseeing the structures, processes, and policies for effective and compliant project management in the Programs department. The role acts as a bridge between strategy and execution, ensuring that project implementation is successful, aligned with strategic objectives, and that project risks are appropriately mitigated. The Director of Programs Management works closely with Regional Directors, Project Managers and Program Operations team to enhance project oversight and support operational efficiency within the department.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, monitor, and manage the day-to-day processes and operations of the Programs department.
• Develop, monitor, and recommend improvements to Programs’ operational processes, procedures, policies, and workflows, aligning them with Pact's mission, values, and departmental goals.
• Identify and execute process improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Establish and implement a home office project management structure, drawing on and working together with Programs Operations, Regional Directors, Impact Area leads and other stakeholders, that provides consistency across projects and allows for line of sight into country office projects.
• Implement project health check-ins and processes for monitoring performance and collaborating with project teams to identify areas for improvement.
• Provide technical and management leadership on major tasks and initiatives.
• Apply change, risk, and resource management principles when needed.
• Help resolve challenges between program teams and other internal stakeholders, if and as they arise.
• Supervise Programs Senior Officer, providing guidance and support.
• Communicate and coordinate with Regional Directors, VPs of Impact Areas, project managers, country office leads, Program Operations team, and other departments on project management and Programs operations.
• Support the SVP of Programs in budget review, resource allocation, and budget forecasting.
• Serve as a liaison to internal departments within Pact, fostering collaboration and effective communication.
• Participate in a variety of meetings, committees, and related groups to communicate information, build relationships with stakeholders, and contribute to strategic discussions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Basic Requirements

• Master's degree and 11+ years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience includes 6 years of management experience or Bachelor's and 13 years of experience.
• Proven experience in program management and operations within a complex organization.
• Strong knowledge of project management principles, tools, and methodologies
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to lead and motivate teams, fostering a positive work environment.
• Familiarity with budgeting and resource allocation processes.
• Experience with Office 365 Power Platform (nice to have).