Our staff is diverse in experience and perspective, but at our core, we share a lot of the same traits. We are mission-driven, creative, collaborative, optimistic and inclusive. 

Our work is strategic, fast-paced and guided by our values: 

• Passion for public service and our work toward a more effective government 
• People who promote a culture of learning, leadership, collaboration, inclusion and respect 
• Persistence to drive change, take strategic risks and deliver results 
• Promise to be trustworthy, nonpartisan and fiscally responsible 

We hire smart and friendly people who are great at what they do and good to one another in the process. Are you ready to join our team?

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Partnership is seeking a creative, detail-oriented go-getter, with a strong commitment to public service and eight to ten years of project and event planning experience. This position will partner with the Director of Public Relations on management and strategic oversight of our signature Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals® (Sammies) program, lead strategic planning for flagship Partnership events such as the annual Best Places to Work in the Federal Government awards breakfast and oversee a team of dynamic events professionals.

The Sammies are presented annually to honor outstanding federal employees who have made significant contributions to our country. By recognizing excellence in the federal workforce and exposing the public to the stories of these heroic public servants they would otherwise not encounter, we can meaningfully improve perceptions of government and increase public trust in government. This position would be responsible for project management of the Sammies program, to include building project plans, timelines and budgets, strengthening partner relationships, managing the nomination and selection process and executing on Sammies events throughout the year, especially including the annual awards ceremony at the Kennedy Center.

This position will lead strategic planning for the organization’s full suite of events, creating engaging experiences for our audiences and ensuring a strong and consistent brand identity throughout. This position will work across the organization to identify and capitalize on opportunities for the Partnership to advance the national conversation on our areas of expertise, including securing external speaking opportunities. This position will have two direct reports: an Associate Manager of Events, who is responsible for day-to-day project management of most Partnership events, and a Communications Associate, who leads our Public Service Recognition Week programming and supports various events and storytelling initiatives.

The Senior Communications and Program Manager will work as part of an interdisciplinary communications team, which is responsible for all aspects of the organization’s communication strategy. The team manages the Partnership’s brand, messaging and editorial content, generates media and publicity for the organization and its activities, develops digital media strategies, produces award-winning publications, manages events and markets the Partnership’s programs. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as overall project manager for the annual Service to America Medals program.
• Spearhead outreach to federal agencies and partner organizations to solicit nominations for the annual Service to America Medals program.Create and implement strategies to increase the number of nominations received, with an emphasis on greater diversity of candidates.
• Manage the Partnership’s internal review process for determining the Sammies finalists, including the preparation and approval of profile articles about their work and accomplishments. 
• With the Public Relations Director, grow the profile of the Sammies program by developing creative ways to highlight honorees’ accomplishments through different platforms and programs.
• Facilitate recruitment and participation of the prestigious selection committee, including invitation letters and follow-up, distribution of voting information and compiling votes.
• Rethink, organize and execute the Sammies finalist announcement event. Craft ways to broaden the audience and reach more of the public with the stories.
• Manage all event planning, invitations, RSVPs, presenter outreach and overall success of the fall Sammies awards ceremony, including participation by senior government leaders.
• Lead the organization’s dynamic events planning team. Guide overall strategy for Partnership events from content curation through execution, for both virtual and onsite events.
• With Events Associate Manager, consult with project teams across the Partnership to conceptualize and design events based on their needs. Develop, manage and expand relationships and contracts with event-related vendors.
• Identify and capitalize on opportunities for the Partnership to advance the national conversation on federal management issues, including external speaking engagements for Partnership senior executives.
• Ensure Partnership events are diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible.
• Willingness to occasionally work early mornings, evenings and weekends when needed to plan and execute events or to meet project deadlines.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• A clear communicator and storyteller, with an understanding of how audiences process information in varied formats.
• An entrepreneurial approach and creative out-of-the box thinking.
• Superior written and verbal communications skills. 
• Excellent project management skills, keen attention to detail and robust skills in prioritizing, organizing, delegating and planning work.
• Able to work in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment and to organize multiple and varied projects simultaneously.
• Consistent, sound judgment and decision-making skills; ability to identify potential problems, analyze issues and provide proactive solutions.
• A proven supervisor and leader who can inspire teams and develop talent.
• Ability to work without close oversight, as a strong team player who constructively and productively engages with others at varying levels of seniority.
• Flexible and collaborative with an ability to work well across different teams and departments and excel in a matrix management environment.
• Stays abreast of the latest communications and events trends and emerging platforms that may be relevant to the Partnership.
• Committed to the values of public service, diversity, equity and inclusion, and to the mission of the Partnership for Public Service.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Eight to ten years of relevant work experience in event planning, event marketing, program or project management or related fields.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, events or nonprofit management, marketing or similar field, or equivalent professional work or military experience.
• Experience with project management required.
• Experience with nonprofit event planning preferred. 
• Experience with supervision preferred.
• Experience using complex database software to manage and communicate with organizational contacts; experience using Salesforce, Form Assembly and HubSpot preferred.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY/REPORTING STRUCTURE

This position reports to the Public Relations Director and supervises two direct reports.

WORK ENVIRONMENTThis job operates in a hybrid (remote office) environment in Washington, DC, and requires the candidate to be a permanent resident in the Washington, DC, Maryland or Virginia area. The person in this role is expected to work in the office, on average, two days per week. This position requires consistent use of office equipment such as computer, telephone, printer/scanner and MS Office.

In assessing employee performance at the Partnership, we consider collaboration, results, demonstration of our values and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Our performance review process runs the calendar year; we conduct a performance check-in at mid-year and complete a formal full-year assessment at year end. Salary increases are based on the full-year performance assessment.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK