(Senior) Project Manager - The Health Initiative - Positively Partners

ABOUT THE HEALTH INITIATIVE:

This is an opportunity to join a mission-driven organization with the pacing and ethos of an issue-based campaign. Founded in 2018, The Health Initiative (THI) is a nonprofit focused on catalyzing a new conversation about – and new investments in – the known drivers of health. Specifically, THI's aim is to increase public and private investment in safe homes, healthy food, and well-paying jobs by reframing these issues as central to ensuring a healthy population and a health-based economy.

The U.S. spends ~$12 billion every day on healthcare – even though only ~20% of health outcomes are tied to clinical care. This disconnect is increasingly untenable. Even pre-COVID, 24% of those with commercial health insurance still lacked adequate food, housing, or other basics – driving up healthcare costs.

As an instigator and advisor, THI works intensively with public and private healthcare institutions that control billions of dollars and impact millions of lives (health insurers, federal agencies, state departments of health and human services, and foundations) to partner with communities to invest in health, not just healthcare. With THI’s guidance, these institutions make investing in health central to their strategy, business model, and operations – and engage with communities to mobilize and align resources for healthy food, safe homes, and well-paying jobs while building community wealth and addressing historical health disparities. The THI leadership team has dedicated their careers to improving healthcare--offering critical insights into and experience with the drivers of health, healthcare delivery, and healthcare policy.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Health Initiative (THI) seeks to hire two highly organized, detail-oriented, and responsive Project Managers who thrive in the fast-paced context of issue-based campaigns and/or start-up environments, have an excellent track record of managing work to deliver results, and are enthusiastic about THI’s goals.

All Project Managers serve a critical function in the organization, supporting the development and execution of content that helps THI deliver on its ambitious aim. The role has two primary functions:

• Developing, diligently tracking, and updating workplans for successful execution to meet our goals.

• Supporting continuous improvement in THI’s project management tools and systems by helping to measure effectiveness, suggesting improvements, and supporting evolving processes.

If hired as a Senior Project Manager, the role will not have direct reports, but will be responsible for setting the project management standards for the organization. Responsibilities of a Senior Project Manager additionally include

• Defining and continually improving the project management approach, standards and processes for the organization based on learning and data.

• Guiding the THI team to adoption of new tools and practices (eg: responsible for Asana adoption, quality, and improvement, evaluating internal meeting purpose and value) etc.

Project Managers need strong relational skills with an ability to get things done through others while managing projects to completion. They will have excellent attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to operate in an evolving organization while managing competing and time sensitive priorities.

The role(s) report to the Chief of Staff and have critical relationships with members of the program and development teams. In a flexible and growing organization, reporting structures and responsibilities may shift over time to align with organizational needs.

Responsibilities:

Defining Success for this Position:

As noted above, a successful Project Manager will manage workplans that anticipate and problem-solve for inevitable changes and support standardizing of systems to achieve reliable and effective project management (e.g. Asana, meetings, processes, huddles or other tools). They will relentlessly execute, use data to evaluate those systems, and adapt and iterate the approach over time.

The general description of success serves as the critical guidepost. Given the dynamic nature of the organization, the responsibilities below are some examples of how the Project Manager / Senior Project Manager may execute those functions. Responsibilities are expected to change based on organizational needs and structural changes, and flexibility and adaptability in roles and functions should be expected.

The role will require occasional evening and weekend work.

Example Responsibilities:

Develop and execute plans, iterating as needed

• Create workplans for materials (backgrounds, agendas, talking points, slide decks, reports, proposals etc.) for the program team, fundraising/development process, and other needed deliverables by mapping all steps of the process, assignees, deadlines and prioritization to ensure materials are presented to stakeholders on time.

• Meticulously track progress and engage the team with clear feedback on progress and action items; update and improve workplans as goals, timelines, or owners change.

• Escalate and proactively surface suggestions if plans are not on track to deliver high-quality work product consistent with timeliness goals. Flexibility and adaptability are essential as priorities routinely change.

If hired as a Project Manager:

Help improve processes to achieve reliable project management results

• Act as a "steward of improvement"- bring an improvement mindset and concrete suggestions to continuously improve our operational processes. THI is a growing and maturing organization that expects / welcomes improvements to operate more efficiently and reliably.

• Support the evolution and standardization of processes to support PM group and broader team’s needs.

If hired as a Senior Project Manager, responsibilities include those above as well as:

Set processes to achieve reliable project management results

• Develop clear project management best practices to ensure tracking, prioritization, assignment, and execution of a complex network of meeting preparation development, communications, and emails.

• Introduce, refine, and champion project management platforms and tools, developing best practices through all interactions including feedback mechanisms & integrations.

• Identify, track, and leverage key data points to inform improvements in systems and processes, allocate team capacity, and prioritize projects and tasks.

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow, and excel professionally. We respect this when we review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. We want to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to the work. This said, we are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications and experiences listed below.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

• For Project Manager, 3-5 years explicit project management experience in a professional environment required. Asana experience preferred.

• For Senior Project Manager, 5+ years of explicit project management experience in a professional environment along with an extensive track record of improving practices required. Asana experience expected.

• Strong project management skills, including being detail-focused and managing towards aggressive timelines.

• Continuous improvement mindset and demonstrated track record of using project management tools to achieve goals and of adapting the structures and tools based on data and results.

• Ability to think strategically - understand the big picture and proactively identify next steps, ability to optimize system and resources to achieve deliverables.

• Willingness to undertake tasks at all levels when necessary. As an issue-based campaign, THI’s work is dynamic and moves quickly.

• Effective decision-making skills.

• Ability to manage up and adapt approaches to meet project goals.

• Ability to work independently and manage self towards goals, while being a genuine "team player."

• Excellent communication skills (both interpersonal and written).

• Effective facilitation skills.

• Ability to work in a fast paced, sometimes ambiguous, environment.

• Ability to learn and use new systems and technology.

• Enthusiasm for the mission, vision, and values of THI.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

THI offers a comprehensive benefits package. The salary for this position is $90,000 - $115,000 (commensurate with experience). A Project Manager hire will be at the lower end of the range and a Senior Project Manager at the upper end of the range. In addition to a competitive salary, THI also offers:

• Full coverage of medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Generous 401K matching and parental leave.

• Unlimited sustainable vacation and sick time.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

The Health Initiative values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual identity, veteran status or any other status protected by law. People of color, LGBTQ identified people, gender non-conforming people, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people who speak a language in addition to English are encouraged to apply.

TO APPLY

All applicants should apply through our posting on Positively Partners’ website. Please send your resume and a cover letter linking your skills and experiences to this position description. Applications will be reviewed as they are received beginning on November 8, 2024. Early applications are encouraged.