Manager, Program Strategy

Overview

The Organization:
Merit America. Merit America is a national nonprofit that creates pathways to family-sustaining careers for Americans stuck in low-wage work. We analyze tens of millions of job postings to identify in-demand, high-paying tech careers, partner with industry-recognized organizations to train for these roles with part-time programs that combine flexible online learning with coaching, and support learners in their job search to connect with a broad network of employers.

We aim to drive wage gains and build scalable pathways for workers to join the middle class through merit, not money.

Merit America is on a mission to generate wage gains and build scalable pathways for workers to join the middle class. We are on track to generate wage gains and have set ambitious goals to scale impact in the coming years.

The Role The Manager, Program Strategy is a senior individual contributor role that combines hands-on program design work with strategic execution and cross-functional project leadership. You will design and develop curriculum and program models while also serving as a "project quarterback" for high-priority initiatives—ensuring ideas move from design to operational reality across Merit America’s career tracks and program offerings. This role does not include direct people management but requires strong cross-functional influence.

You will report to the Director of Program Design or the Director of Program Innovation and collaborate with teams across Program, Product, Coaching, Operations, and Admissions.

• Program Design & Curriculum Development
• Design, curate, and maintain high-quality curriculum resources across learning tracks, ensuring alignment with industry standards and learner needs
• Partner with the coaching team to streamline the learner experience through clear objectives, instructions, and feedback mechanisms
• Work with third-party content providers to ensure content relevance, scalability, and alignment with industry needs
• Regularly update and refine curriculum based on learner feedback, data, and industry trends
• Develop and implement program models that enhance the learner experience, focusing on innovative and scalable delivery methods
• Create resources and training for internal stakeholders to support effective program delivery

• Program Strategy & Execution
• Own execution of complex, cross-functional initiatives, including new track launches and major program updates
• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, dependencies, and risks to ensure high-quality, on-time delivery
• Ensure program execution aligns with Merit America’s "North Star" learner experience and organizational priorities

• New Track Launches & Program Rollouts
• Lead coordination of new career track launches across curriculum, coaching, and operations
• Partner with Program Operations to translate program designs into clear rollout plans, tools, training, and documentation
• Support post-launch evaluation and iteration based on outcomes and operational feedback

• Research, Innovation, & Experimentation
• Conduct and synthesize qualitative and quantitative research on learner needs, workforce trends, and program effectiveness to inform strategic decisions
• Support the design and monitoring of pilots and experiments, translating findings into scalable recommendations
• Embed inclusive excellence principles into research, experimentation, and program design

• Evaluation, Quality, & Communication
• Analyze ongoing learner feedback and program data to assess current effectiveness and inform strategic decisions
• Ensure curriculum, coaching strategies, and program models align with industry standards and design intent
• Partner with Program Designers to maintain quality and consistency across program offerings
• Synthesize program progress, learner insights, and outcome data into clear reports and recommendations for leadership to support decision-making and prioritization

We recognize that some individuals from underrepresented backgrounds may hesitate to apply if they don’t meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We value the unique skills and perspectives each applicant brings and encourage you to…