Associate Manager, Technology and Innovation

ORGANIZATION 

The Partnership for Public Service is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. We believe that our future and our democracy depend on our ability to solve big problems—and that we need an effective federal government to do so. For more than 20 years, we have helped make this vision a reality, helping our government—the public institution most fundamental to our democracy—address current and future challenges.     

Our work is strategic, fast-paced and guided by our values: 

• Passion for public service and our work toward a more effective government 
• People who promote a culture of learning, leadership, collaboration, inclusion and respect 
• Persistence to drive change, take strategic risks and deliver results 
• Promise to be trustworthy, nonpartisan and fiscally responsible 

We hire smart and friendly people who are great at what they do and good to one another in the process. 

POSITION OVERVIEW 

As government modernizes its services and processes, the use of innovative practices and modern ways of working–ranging from methodologies like agile and design thinking to innovative approaches to hiring and procurement–have never been more important. Through thought leadership, engagement with critical stakeholders and training, the Partnership for Public Service works to increase the use of proven innovative practices enabling the government’s ability to achieve its mission. Our goal is a government that delivers equitable services and effective outcomes to the public using modern ways of working. 

We seek an early career professional to support a portfolio of projects relevant to fostering innovation in the federal government and improving core government operations, including identifying and addressing barriers to innovation, engaging cross-governmental stakeholders, and promoting innovation and government management best practices and tools. The associate manager’s primary responsibilities will include:  

• Project support and management. This role will support project planning and the execution of projects and events aimed at improving the understanding and use of innovation and modern and emerging technologies among federal employees. For example, this role will likely support a series of events with senior government leaders focused on the responsible use of artificial intelligence. 
• Stakeholder management. The Partnership is uniquely positioned to collaborate with top tech and innovation leaders in government. We bring together agencies to highlight bright spots and work through common challenges. As an associate manager, this role will have the responsibility of working with stakeholders from the innovation and technology communities including federal executives, corporate partners and an executive-level advisory group for the Partnership’s technology work. For example, this roll will likely support a large community of practice across the public interest technology space in organizing collective conversations for cross-organizational impact. 
• Analytical support. Thorough and thoughtful analysis underpins the Partnership’s work, and this role will provide analytical support for creating research products, position and policy papers, and project proposals. This role will also serve to capture and synthesize information and knowledge gained through the Partnership’s technology and innovation programming. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• With autonomy or minimal senior-level oversight, manage small to mid-size projects or key components of larger, more complex projects, including event management and project planning. 
• Synthesize ideas from internal and external stakeholders to create first drafts of products and deliverables, and effectively incorporate feedback into future iterations. 
• Support productive and collaborative relationships with government stakeholders and partnering organizations, including a coalition of partners in the public interest technology and good government community to ensure the successful design and implementation of projects. 
• Support communities of likeminded federal leaders, non-profit organizations, academics, and others to advance modern government. 
• Plan, manage and facilitate meetings and events with federal employees and corporate partners. Coordinate and facilitate internal planning meetings and project meetings with external partners. 

KEY COMPETENCIES 

• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to translate ideas and insights into practical work products. 
• Project management and organizational skills required to successfully plan, track and complete projects, including the timely delivery of high-quality deliverables. 
• Strong communicator and facilitator, with the ability to organize conversations between disparate stakeholders. 
• Demonstrated ability to create and edit written products, presentations, or data visualizations with a focus on relevance, precision of language, analytic integrity, effective organization, compelling narrative and meaningful insight. 
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team across the larger enterprise, sharing information and insights, and collaborating to solve problems. 
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, to include investment in lifting up diverse voices across government. 
• Ability to take initiative and work autonomously, as well as the ability to collaborate with others in a constructive and professional manner. 
• Strong relationship building and management skills with external and internal stakeholders. 
• Commitment to the values of public service and the mission of the Partnership for Public Service. 

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work or military experience required. 
• Minimum of two years of experience that includes project management and working with multiple stakeholders. 
• Previous experience with federal government or non-federal government is preferred.  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY/REPORTING STRUCTURE 

This position will report to a manager or senior manager. The associate manager may directly or indirectly supervise interns. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

This job operates in a hybrid (remote + office) environment in Washington, DC, and requires the candidate to be a permanent resident in the Washington, DC, Maryland or Virginia area. The person in this role is expected to work in the office, on average, two days per week. This position requires consistent use of office equipment such as computer, telephone, printer/scanner and MS Office.   

In assessing employee performance at the Partnership, we consider collaboration, results, demonstration of our values and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Our performance review process runs the calendar year; we conduct a performance check-in at mid-year and complete a formal full-year assessment at year end. Salary increases are based on the full-year performance assessment. 

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK 

This is a full-time, exempt position with regular work hours Monday-Friday. Occasional evening or weekend activities may be required. Please note that the Partnership allows flexibility in work schedules. 

TRAVEL 

If travel occurs, it is usually during the business day. Some out of the area and/or overnight travel may occasionally be required.  

SALARY AND BENEFITS 

The starting salary range for this position is $60,000 - $65,000. The Partnership offers a compensation package that includes a competitive salary; medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; long- and short-term disability insurance; a 401(k) program with a 4 percent employer match; opportunities for training and development; 15 days of annual leave per year, 10 days of sick leave per year, plus all federal holidays and the day after Thanksgiving off; and use of an on-site exercise facility. 

AAP/EEO STATEMENT 

The Partnership is an inclusive organization that fosters learning, collaboration and respect. We actively recruit for diversity in our workplace, believing that a range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences contributes to our mission of revitalizing government. The Partnership for Public Service is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, caste, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, veteran status, disability; or on any other basis prohibited by law.