Tech Workforce Program Manager

About The Organization

The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) is a social enterprise driving economic prosperity in rural America through entrepreneurship and tech job creation. Focused on the 500 U.S. micropolitan communities with populations between 10,000 and 50,000, our Rural Innovation Network spans 40 regions across 25 states. At CORI, we believe rural America can lead in the innovation economy. Our 35‑person team works alongside local leaders to build thriving, tech‑enabled ecosystems, combining community strategy, research, and talent development with the CORI Innovation Fund, our venture arm investing in scalable rural startups.

Together, our programs and capital create a powerful model for unlocking innovation and inclusive growth across rural America.

The Program Division is undergoing a transformational restructuring to better serve and expand the Rural Innovation Network, ensuring rural America thrives in the tech and AI era. We are aligning around a seamless community journey and a unified portfolio spanning tech workforce development, entrepreneurship and startup support, and strategic leadership capacity building. This integrated approach enables learners, leaders, and founders to access equitable pathways to skills, quality jobs, and venture‑ready company building.

Our north star is a more inclusive and resilient tech economy, one where rural people have a seat at the table. As these impacts take root and grow, they naturally strengthen founder pipelines and create the conditions for investable opportunities within the CORI Innovation Fund.

The Programs team will play a vital role in advancing CORI’s strategic goals:
Growing the Network while deepening engagement and peer connections;
Accelerating the startup pipeline by expanding innovation spaces, founder support, and access to capital; and Leading AI skilling in rural America. We will achieve these goals by innovating our delivery model through better use of technology, AI, and data to deliver greater value and impact for the communities we serve.

The Program Manager, Tech Workforce supports the implementation of CORI’s technology workforce and skilling initiatives. Reporting to the Director, Tech Workforce, this role manages day‑to‑day program operations, coordinates partners and participants, and ensures timely delivery of tech and AI skilling programs such as bootcamps, round tables, and pilot initiatives. The Program Manager is focused on execution, facilitating learner success, managing logistics, and collecting data to evaluate outcomes.

This position is accountable for high‑quality, on‑time program delivery, learner participation and completion, and effective coordination with community and training partners.

Implements CORI’s tech and AI workforce programs to ensure a high‑quality learning experience and measurable Learner and Leader success.

• Coordinate day‑to‑day logistics for workforce programs, including scheduling, communications, materials, and event support
• Facilitate virtual and in‑person sessions to engage learners and community partners
• Provide learner support through regular check‑ins, progress tracking, and resource referrals
• Assist with adaptation and deployment of curriculum materials, workshops, and career readiness sessions
• Track learner participation, attendance, and completion metrics across multiple cohorts

Supports relationships among employers, training providers, and community organizations to strengthen rural workforce ecosystems.

• Communicate regularly with partners to coordinate program implementation and gather feedback and ensure quality execution and that program components run smoothly
• Support employer engagement efforts that connect learners to work‑based learning, internships, and employment opportunities
• Assist in identifying and onboarding local delivery partners and training providers
• Collaborate with community leaders to promote programs and recruit diverse learners
• Represent CORI at regional and national events, forums, and partner convenings to advance rural workforce goals