The Program Manager, Innovation role at Campus Compact represents a unique opportunity for professionals passionate about education, democracy, and systems-level innovation. This remote position is designed for an experienced program manager who can translate ideas into action, support innovation pilots, and strengthen civic engagement across higher education institutions in the United States.
As institutions of higher learning face increasing pressure to address polarization, civic disengagement, and digital transformation, Campus Compact is expanding its innovation capacity to support scalable, evidence-based solutions. This role sits at the intersection of program execution, technology integration, and strategic communication—making it ideal for candidates who thrive in dynamic, multi-stakeholder environments.
About Campus Compact and Its Mission
Campus Compact is a national coalition of colleges and universities committed to advancing the public purposes of higher education. The organization works with faculty, staff, and students to strengthen civic participation, build democratic resilience, and foster community-based learning.
At a time when democracy and civic trust face significant challenges, Campus Compact is focused on scaling its impact through innovation, partnerships, and data-informed programming. The organization emphasizes equity, transparency, collaboration, and continuous learning as core values guiding its work.
The Program Manager, Innovation contributes directly to this mission by ensuring that new initiatives are effectively designed, implemented, and evaluated.
Role Overview: Bridging Strategy and Execution
The Program Manager, Innovation serves as a strategic partner to senior leadership, particularly the Senior Director of Innovation. The role blends operational management with creative problem-solving, requiring the ability to move seamlessly between planning, coordination, and stakeholder communication.
Key responsibilities include managing innovation pilots, supporting administrative workflows, and helping translate complex ideas into accessible tools and resources for higher education institutions.
This position is not purely administrative; it is deeply embedded in shaping how new ideas are tested, refined, and scaled across a national coalition.
Key Responsibilities of the Program Manager, Innovation
The role spans several interconnected areas of responsibility:
Program Design and Execution
The Program Manager supports the development and implementation of innovation pilots. This includes managing timelines, coordinating deliverables, handling subgrants, and ensuring compliance with internal and external requirements.
Technology and Innovation Integration
A core aspect of the role involves identifying new tools and technologies that can enhance civic engagement work. The Program Manager helps translate technical systems into practical tools, training materials, and field-facing resources.
Donor and Stakeholder Engagement
The position contributes to drafting funding proposals, donor reports, and communication materials that articulate the value and impact of innovation initiatives.
Operational Coordination
Day-to-day coordination of innovation pipelines, meetings, events, and stakeholder communications is a key responsibility. This ensures smooth execution across multiple concurrent projects.
Data and Evaluation Support
Working closely with evaluation teams, the Program Manager helps implement feedback loops, monitor pilot outcomes, and support data-informed decision-making.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
The role requires collaboration across internal teams such as membership, strategy, communications, and evaluation to ensure alignment of innovation efforts.
Required Qualifications and Skills
Candidates for this role are expected to bring a combination of education, experience, and applied program management skills.
Typically, the ideal applicant will have:
- A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as education, public administration, social sciences, or nonprofit management
- 4–6 years of experience in program management, higher education, civic engagement, or social innovation
- Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially in translating technical or complex ideas into accessible language
- Familiarity with equity-centered approaches to program design and implementation
- Experience working in collaborative, cross-functional environments
Additional experience with technology tools, artificial intelligence in education, or coalition-based organizations is highly valued.
Core Competencies for Success
To succeed in this role, candidates should demonstrate:
Strategic Thinking
Ability to identify opportunities for innovation and translate them into actionable program designs.
Operational Discipline
Strong attention to detail in managing timelines, documentation, compliance, and workflows.
Communication Excellence
Capacity to communicate clearly with diverse stakeholders, including educators, funders, and technical teams.
Adaptability
Comfort working in evolving environments where priorities shift and new ideas are continuously tested.
Equity and Inclusion Commitment
A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in both mindset and practice.
Why This Role Matters
The Program Manager, Innovation plays a critical role in shaping how civic engagement evolves within higher education. By supporting innovation pilots and scaling successful initiatives, the role contributes directly to strengthening democratic participation and institutional impact.
In a rapidly changing educational landscape, the ability to design, test, and refine new approaches is essential. This position ensures that innovation is not only creative but also responsible, inclusive, and grounded in evidence.
Career Pathways and Opportunities
Professionals in this role often progress into senior program leadership, innovation strategy, or higher education administration roles. The experience gained through managing multi-stakeholder programs, donor relations, and technology integration provides a strong foundation for leadership positions in the nonprofit and education sectors.
Job seekers exploring similar opportunities can also find curated listings on platforms such as Idealist.org, which features roles in civic engagement, education, and social impact organizations.
How to Apply
Applicants are typically required to submit a resume along with responses to application questions addressing program management experience, innovation thinking, and stakeholder collaboration. Strong applications highlight real-world examples of managing complex programs and contributing to system-level change.
Final Thoughts
The Program Manager, Innovation role at Campus Compact represents a meaningful opportunity for professionals who want to contribute to democratic engagement and educational transformation. It combines structured program management with forward-thinking innovation work, making it ideal for individuals who are both detail-oriented and strategically minded.
For candidates passionate about civic impact, higher education, and collaborative problem-solving, this position offers a chance to shape the future of how institutions engage with communities and strengthen democracy.
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
