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Director of Program Operations
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Silver Spring, MD, USA
USD 90k-110k / year
Posted on Jun 3, 2026
Location: Silver Spring, Maryland
Supervisor: Vice President of Programs
Status: Full-Time, Exempt, Supervisory position
What We Need
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, seeks a Director of Program Operations who will serve as an essential member of the senior leadership team and oversee a diverse portfolio of projects within the Programs Department that advances the mission of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The Director of Program Operations will report to the VP of Programs and will work closely with Foundation staff and partners across the National Marine Sanctuary System and NOAA in support of the new Foundation strategic plan: Voyage 2029.
This position leads a team responsible for the operational aspects of federal and non-federal awards including federal financial assistance awards and will shape collaborative work with various offices within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other federal agencies. The Director of Program Operations provides strategic guidance and oversight of operational workflows and monitors progress on federally funded projects, privately supported programs, and programs fiscally sponsored by the Foundation. The Director of Program Operations will work closely with the executive leadership team and members of the Programs, Finance and Development Departments on award management and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and programmatic standards in the deployment of funds from federal awards, state awards, and private funding.
In collaboration with our federal partner, the Director of Program Operations will supervise and manage skilled affiliate staff supporting the Foundation’s Programs Department and federal cooperative agreement activities. This includes ensuring affiliates are effectively integrated into sanctuary operations, and that they understand federal and organizational policies and procedures, maintain clear workplans and reporting structures, and receive the tools, guidance, and professional development necessary to succeed. The Director works closely with program leadership, federal partners, and human resources to help coordinate a high-performing, mission-aligned workforce that advances program delivery, operational excellence, and stewardship of federal and non-federal resources.
This role collaborates with program leads across Foundation priorities, including conservation, restoration, education, and outreach. The Director plays a critical role in troubleshooting program implementation issues with program leads and partners at national marine sanctuaries, as well as working closely with Finance & Administration team members to provide oversight, management and tracking of funds. The Director will work closely with the VP of Programs and other team members to ensure best practices and compliance across the portfolio.
The Director will serve as a point of contact for technical program leads and other staff across the Sanctuary system on program implementation and operational issues and will communicate guidance on compliance and procurement. The Director will oversee the development and use of appropriate tools and systems to track metrics and results that document impact. They will coordinate with Foundation leadership and across departments (Communications, Development, Finance) to ensure sharing of impact metrics for effective communication to internal and external audiences.
As the Foundation’s Programs team continues to evolve in a dynamic landscape, the Director of Program Operations will work closely with the VP of Programs and other senior staff to adapt processes and structures to meet the needs of partners and programs across the National Marine Sanctuary System.
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is committed to equal opportunity and a collaborative work environment. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We honor experiences, perspectives, and unique identities, and welcome the contributions that you can bring to the dedicated team. With a diverse team of employees, we can grow and learn better together and achieve our mission to protect the ocean's health, coasts, and Great Lakes for current and future generations.
What You’ll Do
Team and Division Leadership
- Work closely with the VP of Programs on annual department strategy and workplan development, including writing objectives and key results.
- Partner with the VP of Programs, program leads and Finance team members on the annual budget process and budget management for your portfolio. Foster budget development skills for other Program Operations team members.
- Supervise other managers and/or coordinators within the Operations team.
- Work with the VP of Programs to ensure positive team culture, opportunities for advancement, and critical support of team members.
- Provide close counsel to the VP of Programs, effectively managing up as well as managing staff reports.
- Support revenue development opportunities for the organization as needed within your portfolio, working in coordination with the Development and Program teams as appropriate for private foundation and federal award opportunities.
Portfolio Management: Program Operations, Compliance, Program Awards Management
- Oversee Program Operations team members in having positive relationships and hosting check-in meetings with program managers and field liaisons across the Sanctuary system, to help facilitate operational aspects of program implementation and ensure progress toward project completion according to planned timelines, award compliance, and budgetary goals.
- Keep up to date with OMB and agency-specific federal financial assistance award procedures and regulations and ensure that federal award compliance guidance and procedures documents and training are updated and deployed as needed.
- Review invoices, agreements, and other field documentation to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and program standards. Provide oversight, guide team members, and ensure appropriate training on budget and compliance in our program operations processes.
- Identify operational needs across program teams related to systems, workflow efficiency, technology tools, and administrative processes, and collaborate with appropriate departments to support implementation of approved solutions.
Program Implementation
- Ensure and support best-in-class program implementation via program operations workflows and ensure all programs are compliant with the Foundation’s policies, procedures and strategic plan. Supervise procurement, logistics, and administrative workflows for programs in your portfolio, and coordinate across divisions and teams as needed. Ensure operational support systems are in place, including spending plans and metrics, for all field activities.
- Act as a primary point of contact with grantees, contractors, and subrecipients, maintaining positive awardee relationships, troubleshooting issues, and tracking compliance; develop and track agreement details; conduct risk check-ins as may be required by internal determination.
- Work on special projects that align with organizational, departmental, and project-related goals.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
- Work with program team leads and Finance team members to support the development of business plans for key programs and to develop and provide metrics that translate outcomes into impact.
- Analyze reported results from grantees and contractors using a project management database.
- Support coordination with relevant programs and foster growth by making recommendations to senior leadership aligned with strategic goals and objectives.
- Conduct any necessary monitoring and site visits, regular phone/video-conference check ins, and internal document audits of programs and projects in the portfolio.
Supervisory
- Supervise Foundation project employees working in partner agency locations, members of the affiliate workforce, and/or Foundation HQ Operations team members and build an inclusive environment.
- Assist in the development of annual SMARTIE performance and professional development goals, support and monitor progress towards goals, and conduct annual performance evaluations.
- Approve travel requests, timecards, and time off requests.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree and 8-10 years of professional experience required; professional experience in workforce development, Foundation grants management in a federal setting, federal award management and compliance will be considered in lieu of some higher education requirements.
- Experience managing a complex array of operational and compliance tasks and workflows within a federal award context, and across diverse fund management and grantmaking functions.
- Experience creating, managing, and tracking budgets for programs, preferably from a diverse array of funding sources.
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize and balance assignments under tight deadlines across teams and partners while achieving desired outcomes.
- Ability to be flexible and adaptable within a dynamic and changing work environment.
- Ability to collaborate and work well with others, including internal cross-functional staff, local, state, and federal government agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses and corporations, academic institutions and universities, philanthropic organizations and potential funders, etc.
- Ability to navigate a complex communications and messaging landscape, across changes in political context, local community dynamics, and program needs.
- Self-starter who can work independently and in diverse teams.
- Ability to lead and manage a dedicated professional team.
- Passionate commitment to the Foundation's mission.
- Regular attendance required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing program operations for purpose-driven programs, producing work plans with strategic goals/objectives and defined, measurable results.
- Comfort with advanced project management programs such as Asana, Monday, word-processing tools like Microsoft Suite, Adobe
- Experience with federal systems, cooperative agreement administration, and grants compliance reporting.
- Experience within the nonprofit marine science, ocean education and outreach, or conservation/restoration, marine heritage and cultural/historical preservation space.
- Willingness and ability to travel up to 10-15%
Why You Will Love Us
- Dedicated and passionate staff committed to marine and Great Lakes Conservation
- Generous leave policy, plus paid time off the week between December 25 and January 1; and 12 paid holidays
- Health benefits: Medical with an FSA option; dental, and vision
- Foundation paid Life and Disability Insurance
- Preparing for the Future: 403(B) with employer contribution after one year of service
- Commuter Benefits
Compensation and Benefits: $90,000 - $110,000 per year based on experience. The Foundation offers a competitive benefits package.
Apply through the Foundation’s online portal. A resume, cover letter, and three professional references are required. Applications must be received by June 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.
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Disclaimer
The statements contained in this position description describe the general nature and level of work the employee in this position will perform. The statements are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position. The Vice President of Programs may assign other responsibilities, duties, and skills to the position at any time.
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The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is committed to equal opportunity and a collaborative work environment. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We honor experiences, perspectives, and unique identities, and welcome the contributions that you can bring to the dedicated team. With a diverse team of employees, we can grow and learn better together and achieve our mission to protect the health of the ocean, coasts and Great Lakes for current and future generations.