Program Manager, Nature-based Solutions & Coastal Resilience Training

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Overview

This program manager (PM) position plays a key role in designing and delivering a novel capacity development program for practitioners implementing newly funded nature-based solution projects focused on coastal resilience in the United States. Supported by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the program will provide grantees of NOAA’s Coastal Resilience Regional Challenge (CRRC) with project assistance through a blended learning experience that combines online and field-based training with a dynamic Community of Practice. The curriculum will be tailored to participants’ needs and informed by expertise from recipients of NFWF's National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF), as well as faculty, researchers, and staff at Yale University and other leaders in the field.

This PM position is based within the Environmental Leadership & Training Initiative (ELTI) at the Yale School of the Environment (YSE) in New Haven, CT. ELTI is a global capacity development program focused on conserving and restoring tropical forest landscapes, including coastal ecosystems. The PM will also work closely with faculty and staff from the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture (YCNCC), a Yale research hub dedicated to advancing the science of natural climate solutions and ELTI’s primary partner for this program. A central responsibility of the position will be identifying and managing collaborations with other Yale Centers and Programs, as well as with the professional networks of NOAA and NFWF.

Manages the day-to-day design and implementation of a national coastal resilience blended training program, including organizing and facilitating meetings, ensuring timely completion of deliverables, preparing meeting notes and reports, and maintaining strong partner relationships.  Supports the design, administration, and analysis of information-gathering processes that inform program content, including reviewing and organizing project information, developing and implementing questionnaires, conducting interviews and focus groups, and synthesizing findings into reports and presentations. Manages the design, planning, and execution of one national and four regional in-person convenings, including agenda development, speaker coordination, and facilitation of sessions and field visits. Supports development of the online learning program, including building and managing the Learning Management System, curating course materials, and coordinating speaker engagements, video recordings, and other production activities. Manages delivery of the online learning program, including preparing course communications and announcements, responding to participant questions, moderating discussion forums, scheduling and facilitating live sessions, coordinating course logistics, and contributing to the development and grading of assignments. Assists in developing and managing the Community of Practice (CoP), including designing the online platform, onboarding participants, curating resources, and coordinating engagement activities such as webinars and peer exchanges. Contributes to program evaluation and continuous improvement efforts by synthesizing participant feedback and identifying opportunities to strengthen program delivery. Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Demonstrated experience in program or project coordination, including managing timelines, deliverables, and multiple workstreams.

2. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

3. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear reports and coordinate with diverse stakeholders.

4. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.

5. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with data tracking and reporting tools and strong interpersonal skills and ability to engage effectively with practitioners, partners, and subject matter experts.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. Experience supporting training programs, workshops, or professional convenings.

2. Familiarity with online learning management systems (e.g., Canvas) and virtual engagement platforms (e.g., Zoom, Hivebrite).

3. Experience with coastal resilience and/or nature-based solutions.

4. Experience supporting stakeholder engagement in environmental or conservation contexts.

5. Familiarity with community of practice models or peer learning networks.

Preferred Education and Experience

Master’s degree in environmental studies, public policy, natural resource management, or a related field and two to four years of related professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Principal Responsibilities

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in a related field and four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

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Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through  their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.