Program Manager

MDC, a nonprofit organization based in Durham, NC, envisions a South where all people thrive. We strengthen capacity, foster collaboration, and build community influence to challenge systemic inequities for an equitable and inclusive South.

We are hiring a Program Manager to join the team in our Rural Prosperity and Investment focus area. The person in this role will manage programs and partnerships with an emphasis on public policy and advocacy. Learn more about the Rural Prosperity and Investment focus area at

Primary Responsibilities

The purpose of the Program Manager position is to amplify the voice, capacity and power of rural individuals, organizations, and communities by strengthening and networking their efforts toward equitable systems and policy change. Program Managers lead a portfolio of activities in a geographic region or policy area(s), while also working collaboratively to support activities that their colleagues lead. Program Managers are responsible for using a range of policy analysis, advocacy, project management, and capacity-building tools in support of community, team, and organizational goals.

1. Provide an array of community-based, community-led technical assistance services. These may include meeting facilitation and documentation, leadership coaching, research and policy analysis, advocacy campaign development, and training delivery. Example deliverables include policy memos, issue briefs, factsheets, policy campaign materials, logic models, asset maps, strategic plans, partnership agreements, organizational assessments, one-pagers, and presentations. (30%)

2. Cultivate and manage relationships, subcontracts, and convenings with a diverse network of community-based, statewide, and regional leaders across a range of issues. This may include identifying and managing external consultants. (20%)

3. Lead or support program directors with grant management, project transparency, and accountability by tracking and reporting on internal and external progress toward objectives in written and verbal forms for multiple audiences. (20%)

4. Supervise a Dan Broun Program Associate throughout a 12-month internship (20%).

5. Other duties as assigned to advance the broader mission of MDC, including advancing your own professional development, serving on internal committees, and representing our work at external conferences. (10%)

Desired Qualifications

We seek candidates who have interest and experience in the intersection of rural communities and systems change. Competitive candidates will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the objectives of one or more Rural Prosperity and Investment projects.

1. A combination of 5-7 years of professional and academic experience in relevant fields,

such as public policy, public administration, public health, community development, environmental management, organizational and leadership development, social work, or community organizing.

2. Experience with policy analysis, legislative advocacy, policy campaigns, project management and evaluation, process facilitation, conflict management, and/or coalition building.

3. Strong professional skills including ability to manage projects effectively and adaptively, write and speak clearly and concisely with a variety of audiences, think creatively, and lead collaboratively.

4. Alignment with MDC’s vision, mission and values. Candidates must have a mature understanding of racial equity, power, and systems change.

5. Experience partnerships with a broad range of strategic partners and working effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideologies.

6. Highly proficient in Microsoft Office 365 (including Sharepoint and Microsoft Teams), Google Docs, and Zoom. Staff are also required to use Asana for collaborative project management. Proficiency with GIS packages, Canva, or Mailchimp is also a plus.

7. Ability to work in both Spanish and English, as well as experience working with Latino/a/e communities is highly preferred.

Organizational and Team Culture

This position reports to a Program Director or the Senior Program Director. We work collaboratively to identify shifting priorities and produce excellent work toward individual, team, and organizational objectives. Our days and weeks are often full, so we use good judgement to balance professional outcomes and personal wellbeing. We work varyingly in-person, virtually, and in hybrid formats. We coordinate our work and support each other at the project, team, and organizational level through regularly scheduled virtual and quarterly in-person meetings. Travel across North Carolina or other southern states several times per month is required. Office space is available in Durham, NC to all MDC staff.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $65,000-$75,000, depending on experience.

This position will be a full-time exempt position and is eligible for a full package of benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance; short-term and long-term disability; life insurance; vacation, sick, and personal leave; employee assistance program, wellness benefits, remote work stipend and paid retirement account contributions with match.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter addressed to MDC, a resume, and three references via JazzHR. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with the first round of 60-minute interviews on Zoom scheduled to begin on Monday, February 2, 2026. Candidates who are advanced to the second round will also be asked to complete a short task to demonstrate writing skills (approximately 30-45 minutes).

The anticipated start date for this position is April 16, 2026. Questions about the application process can be emailed to [email protected].

MDC is an equal-opportunity employer. As an organization committed to diversity and equity, it is our policy to provide an equal employment opportunity to all individuals without regard to age, color, race, religion, national origin, disability, military/veteran status, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation or status in any other group, protected by federal or local law or for any other reason. We encourage applications from people of color, women, the LGBTQ+ community, individuals with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups. Further, MDC values candidates with lived experience relevant to our mission. Reasonable accommodation is available on request. For more information about MDC, go to