Foundation Program Manager

SUMMARY

The Program Manager for the Kentucky Chamber Foundation oversees daily operations and strategic initiatives for key programs, including the Leadership Institute for School Principals and the National Civics Bee. This role involves developing and refining process-driven methods to enhance corporate and individual giving, expanding program resources, and identifying new funding prospects. The Program Manager also leads recruiting efforts to boost participation, crafts and executes marketing and communication strategies, and provides essential support to all Foundation programs. By collaborating closely with the Director of Operations, Senior Vice President, and the Foundation team, the Program Manager plays a pivotal role in advancing the Foundation’s goal to drive impactful educational programming and community engagement across Kentucky.

This role is ideal for a detail-oriented, strategic thinker with a passion for educational and community programming and proven experience in program management, marketing, fundraising, and event coordination.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, the Program Manager must perform the following functions effectively. Other duties may be assigned as appropriate.

Program Management: Manage day-to-day operations of assigned programs.

• Execute principal selection process and onboarding communications with successful applicants and board members.
• Meet the fundraising goals of Leadership Institute through donor solicitation and effective account management.
• Coordinate donor/investor recognition and matching.
• Plan and manage logistics for principal training sessions in Greensboro and Frankfort, coordinating with third-party vendors.
• Work closely with the program’s Board of Managers to continue program growth and development, discuss fundraising strategies, coordinate quarterly meeting materials, and various other duties in relation to board relationship management.
• Identify, research, and manage information flow on new corporate, individual, and Foundation prospects.
• Prepare proposals and provide data for development calls and presentations.
• Coordinate, plan, and support Leadership Institute events, including fundraising events, leadership training seminars, travel arrangements, etc.
• Assist with bi-weekly partner calls for the National Civics Bee, ensuring effective communication with local chamber partners.
• Cultivate relationships with National Civics Bee partners and assist in planning and executing the state finals event, including participant and judge communications, logistics, and online quiz platform management.
• Maintain the Minority-Owned Business Database, maintain relationships with third-party vendors, and make edits as needed.
• Ensure payment and management of the ID Project.
• Works closely with the Chamber/Foundation BOD and Foundation team in goal setting and executing organizational goals to continue Foundation growth and development.

Marketing and Communications: Assist with Foundation marketing needs.

• Create content and design templates for newsletters, PowerPoint, websites, media requests, social media communications, program promotional materials, etc.
• Work with the Chamber Communications team to create and manage marketing materials for Foundation programs.
• Manage the Foundation’s social media account, including posting and tracking key metrics.
• Monitor and maintain the Foundation marketing calendar, ensuring timely creation and approval of all marketing content.

Special Projects: Assist the Director of Operations with special projects that come into the Foundation

• Assist in the operations of incoming opportunities for funding, growth, and expansion through new events and programs.
• Assist in planning and executing special events throughout the year.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The individual must be creative, have excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, and have the ability to prioritize and multi-task

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business or related field, or comparable work experience with a minimum of 1-3 years of experience in project management, marketing and communications, and/or nonprofit development operations.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Must have the ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals and professional journals, as well as the ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Finally, the individuals need to be able to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Employee must have a valid driver’s license.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Individual must have excellent written and verbal communications skills plus a demonstrated ability to distill large amounts of information and research into relevant content for the Foundation’s audience via social media and email campaigns. Employee must have strong critical thinking skills and be able to quickly address problems as they arise. Employee must have strong computer and typing skills, including the use of and functional knowledge of several different software programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite necessary. Basic knowledge of HTML is helpful.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no direct reports.

TRAVEL

Travel to meetings and conferences are often encouraged and may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in an office setting at a sitting or standing desk. Some light lifting of boxes (up to 20 lbs.) of printed materials is occasionally needed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
SALARY

Salary is commensurate with experience.

BENEFITS
We offer a competitive benefits package including health/dental/vision insurance, wellness incentives, life and disability insurance, defined contribution retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, childcare assistance and hybrid schedule.
ABOUT THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
The mission of the Kentucky Chamber is to unite businesses and advance Kentucky. It’s the unique contributions of all Chamber employees that drive our success in fulfilling our mission. We are committed to building a culture where everyone has the opportunity to be recognized for their contributions and do meaningful work. To that end, we are an equal opportunity employer.

Uniting Business. Advancing Kentucky. The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce provides bold leadership as the major catalyst, consensus builder, and advocate for economic growth and for expanding the business community of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. With thousands of members representing every major industry sector, the Chamber’s diverse business policy initiatives converge upon one goal: a healthy, vibrant Kentucky economy. Ensuring that business has a voice in the legislative process, we are working with local business leaders to identify critical trends, at the table as regulations are drafted and in the halls of the Capitol as bills are debated. Building on the success of nearly 70 years, we remain committed to helping Kentucky’s economy grow and prosper by providing leading-edge advocacy on behalf of the business community. If you want to join a friendly, passionate team with limitless potential and an opportunity to impact your community and state, we’d love to meet you!