Program Planning & Operations Director

Overview

Unite America seeks a full‑time Program Planning and Operations Director. This is an opportunity to design and steward the planning, portfolio, and decision‑support systems that translate Unite America’s mission into disciplined execution in support of nonpartisan election reform and a more representative and functional government.

• Serve as a trusted thought partner to the Head of Program and Program Department Leads, translating strategic priorities into actionable plans, frameworks, and measurable outcomes.
• Lead and coordinate annual and multi‑cycle planning processes and Rhythm of Business (RoB) for the Program Team, in collaboration with Strategy & Operations and the overall organizational RoB.
• Drive process and system improvements for Program annual planning, the Program Pipeline Approval, the “How We Move Money” and other processes that enhance efficiency, clarity and collaboration across the Program Team and the organization.
• Develop and manage the Program discretionary budget, ensuring Program Department Leads and the Head of Program have the budget and financial information to guide strategy and investment decisions.
• Oversee operational systems related to budgeting and portfolio tracking, ensuring timely, accurate, and integrated management and smooth planning and reporting cycles.
• Produce and maintain dashboards and performance metrics to inform decision‑making, track progress, guide resourcing, and support leadership reporting and engagement.
• Identify operational, execution, and resourcing risks across the Program portfolio and partner with Strategy & Operations to surface mitigation options.
• Serve as a liaison for select program‑related vendors or external partners, ensuring alignment with program goals, budgets, and compliance requirements.
• Embody organizational values; cultivate a strong Program team culture; and ensure adherence to organizational norms, policies, and ways of working.
• Synthesize programmatic inputs into clear, cohesive narratives and recommendations for leadership and the Board.
• Lead collaboration between the Program function, Investor Relations function, and Strategy+Operations function (including Legal, Finance and HR) on planning, financial, operational issues and Investor Relations collateral (eg grants and reporting).
• Represent the perspective of the Program team and direct reports within the organization, ensuring effective and transparent communication of strategic plans, decisions, and progress.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of resources, effective budget management practices, and compliance with fiscal and legal policies.
• Manage, coach, and mentor junior staff, setting clear expectations, aligning individual goals with team needs, providing regular feedback and supporting professional development.
• Monitor team capacity and align resources with evolving priorities, proactively designing future team structure and staffing plans.