Program Manager

Position Title: Program Manager
Department: Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs
Position Type:  Full-time, exempt position.  This position is eligible for benefits.

Salary Range: $68,000 - $73,000 annually

Work Schedule: This is a full-time one-year appointment with opportunity for extension. Monday – Friday; hours to be determined.

Reports To: Executive Director and Associate Director

Organization Overview

The Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at Cal State LA is a nonpartisan center committed to energizing, promoting and defending democracy. Founded by former California Governor Pat Brown, the Institute fosters civic education, promotes public engagement and leadership, and serves as a thought leader on key regional and statewide issues by analyzing and spotlighting smart policies that encourage equity and advance social justice.

Position Overview
 Under the general direction of the Executive Director and Associate Director of the Pat Brown Institute (PBI), the Program Manager plays a key role in coordinating, implementing, and supporting the Institute’s civic education, leadership development, and public engagement programs. The Program Manager will help plan and carry out programs, collaborate with campus and community partners, and support the day-to-day operations that ensure high-quality program delivery.

This role is ideal for someone with strong organizational ability, creativity, and a commitment to strengthening democracy through civic engagement.

Essential Functions

Program Coordination & Implementation

• Support the development, coordination, and execution of Institute programs and initiatives.
• Manage project timelines, logistics, and deliverables to ensure effective implementation.
• Maintain program databases, tracking systems, and documentation to monitor participation, outcomes, and impact.
• Assist in developing program materials, curriculum components, and outreach resources.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with the Associate Director, program staff, student assistants, consultants, and volunteers to support smooth program operations.
• Coordinate communication and scheduling across teams to ensure alignment and timely execution of program activities.
• Serve as a point of contact for campus and community partners involved in civic engagement and public leadership initiatives.

Program Operations

• Assist with planning and delivering Civic U sessions, the Galbraith Public Policy Fellowship, speaker series, and policy conferences.
• Support event preparation, including content development, materials production, participant outreach, and logistical planning.
• Collaborate with communications consultant to help produce marketing materials such as brochures, newsletters, and website content.

Evaluation, Reporting & Fiscal Support

• Track program expenditures, assist with budget monitoring, and ensure accurate documentation of costs.
• Contribute to program reports, grant applications, and compliance tracking.
• Provide regular updates to the Associate Director and Executive Director on program progress.

Institutional Engagement & Representation

• Represent PBI at events, meetings, and community gatherings as assigned.
• Support the Institute’s communications and outreach strategies.
• Contribute to ongoing Institute initiatives and strategic projects.

Additional Duties

• Assist with fundraising and grant-related tasks, including proposal preparation, reporting, and data tracking.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in program coordination, civic engagement, community organizing, public policy, education, or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage projects, set timelines, meet deadlines, and solve problems with minimal supervision.
• Experience planning and executing program activities, events, or multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Strong understanding of government structures, civic processes, and/or current political and policy issues.
• Excellent organizational, administrative, written, and oral communication skills.
• Ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including community partners, students, and institutional leaders.
• Creative, proactive, and comfortable taking initiative to improve systems, develop content, and refine programming.
• Experience working in, or a demonstrated commitment to, a multicultural/multiethnic environment.
• Proficiency with program management tools, data tracking, and general office software.
• Please upload a cover letter along with your resume. 

The incumbent must demonstrate an interest or ability in working in a multicultural/multiethnic environment. A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the UAS. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current UAS employees who apply for the position.

Review of applications/resumes will begin January 26, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled; however, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications/resumes are received. A cover letter and resume are required.

UAS hires only those individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Americans with Disabilities (ADA) requested accommodations should be made in advance to the UAS Human Resources Department.

Cal State LA University Auxiliary Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.