Program Manager

About NPEC

The Nonproliferation Policy Education Center (NPEC) is a nonprofit organization advancing unclassified analysis and education on nuclear nonproliferation, strategic deterrence, and U.S. national security policy. NPEC manages externally funded research projects, policy workshops, and war games involving senior experts and government officials.

Position Overview

NPEC is seeking a mid-career Program Manager to oversee program execution, funding deliverables, financial operations, and institutional timelines. The Program Manager will also work with the Executive Director in drafting grant proposals, war games, and routine analytic reports. Ideal candidates will have prior experience in government, think tanks, nonproliferation, defense policy, or research-focused nonprofits.

The Program Manager owns program timelines, contractor coordination, funder deliverables, and financial administration, working closely with the Executive Director while operating with significant independence. An ideal candidate must be capable of self-tasking and taking initiative.

Responsibilities

Program & Project Management

• Manage timelines and deliverables across all NPEC programs and projects
• Manage all contractors and authors, including expectations, deadlines, and deliverables
• Send periodic progress updates and status reports to the Executive Director
• Maintain master project trackers and calendars

NPEC War Games

• Assist in drafting and executing twice-annual NPEC war games
• Create invitee lists and identify pre-briefers
• Develop slides and coordinate virtual game play
• Assist in writing after-action reports

Government Contract Projects

• Coordinate expectations and deadlines with contracted authors and government sponsors
• Ensure compliance with government-funded project requirements
• Assist the Executive Director in planning and executing future government project awards

Grant Proposals & Funder Relations

• Assist in writing and submitting new grant proposals
• Manage internal timelines for proposal development
• Send deliverables to funders and invoice funders for completed work
• Write and organize narrative and financial reports for funders

Financial & Compliance Management

• Monitor NPEC bank statements and account balances
• Transfer funds between accounts as needed
• Pay honorariums and invoices and maintain receipt logs
• Organize contractor W-9s and payment information
• Coordinate and facilitate the annual NPEC financial audit
• Ensure compliance with mandatory insurance practices
• Deposit grant checks to NPEC bank account

Administrative Oversight

• Monitor the NPEC mailbox
• Maintain organized financial and program records
• Coordinate with the Executive Assistant to ensure documentation is complete and accessible

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree in public policy, international relations, or related field strongly preferred
• 5–10 years of relevant experience in government, policy, intelligence, nonproliferation, defense, or nonprofit program management
• Experience working on nuclear security, space security, and other related national and international security and intelligence issues desirable
• Experience managing complex projects, contractors, and external stakeholders
• Able to take initiative and ownership over organization deliverables
• Strong organizational, writing, and financial management skills
• Comfortable working independently in a remote environment

Work Environment

• Fully remote role (U.S.-based)
• Travel to Washington, DC required approximately three times per year
• Flexible daily schedule with the ability to quickly respond between 9am-5pm ET

Application Instructions:

To apply for this job, please send your resume, cover letter, and a 1-3 page analytic writing sample to admin@npolicy.org. When sending, please use the subject line: NPEC Program Manager Application. Only complete applications will be considered.