Forward Montana is seeking a full-time Special Program Manager to lead and support a team of staff in being the most badass they can be. The Special Program Manager is a leader within the organization, with a deep commitment to anti-racism and equity in their personal and professional development. The Special Program Manager supports organizers to build the power of young people and to enact meaningful change in their community through voter engagement, issue advocacy and leadership development. 

This position can be located anywhere in Montana and will directly manage between 3-4 organizers through 2026.

Applicants should be comfortable in a fast-paced environment and able to remain flexible, with an eye toward new opportunities.  All staff at Forward Montana are expected to participate in field efforts during election season (like making phone calls and knocking on doors).

Who We Are

Forward Montana, founded in 2004, is the state's largest youth-led, youth-focused civic engagement organization. We strive to transform government and communities to be just, sustainable, and equitable while working toward a future where Montana celebrates and reflects the diversity of our generation. We support young people to build power with and for each other to create lasting change.

What You’ll Do

Reporting to the Program Director, with support from the Executive Director, this person is responsible for the following:

• Work with the Program Director and Executive Director to facilitate collaborative annual plans that align with the organization’s mission, vision, and goals

• Provide thought partnership to the Program Director and Executive Director on strategic initiatives and fostering an inclusive organizational culture

• Support your team in the planning and implementation of major Forward Montana events and initiatives. This may include tracking project budgets, communicating effectively across teams within the organization, and conducting outreach to partners and community members

• Develop and track an annual budget for your region that supports the work your staff will be focused on throughout the year

• Direct Management

  • Manage and support a team of organizers with an eye towards the team’s professional development and overall success. This includes working with direct reports to establish goals, evaluate their accomplishments, celebrate their successes, and take appropriate disciplinary action if needed

  • Responsible for leading on hiring processes and making recommendations

  • Develop and implement relevant trainings to build staff and volunteer organizing and field competency

• Program Development

  • Lead development of Civics Under the Big Sky (CUBS) high school curriculum & templates, CUBS Club requirements & structure, & high school fellowship retreat curriculum & structure

  • Support development of structured cultural & societal conversations around what it means to be a young man in the USA, focused on building up young men to be allies and advocates for marginalized communities and everyday Montanans

• Other duties as assigned

Must-Haves | Here’s what success looks like

• Management experience: You have 1-2 years of experience managing volunteers and/or staff. You’re excited about processes and systems within a team - you can run an effective meeting and  give 100% to your individual check-ins with people you manage. You know how to hold folks accountable to setting and reaching ambitious goals with creativity and flexibility. 

• Solutions-oriented: You have a track record of supporting teams to accomplish ambitious goals and getting results even when there are obstacles. You set a high bar and meet it, because you think three (or 30) steps ahead to anticipate hurdles and can come up with pragmatic solutions on the fly. 

• Organizing experience: You have 1-2 years of organizing experience, meaning you have knocked on doors, phonebanked, organized events, trained volunteers, and mobilized members for rallies and public comment periods. 

• Actively Anti-Predjudice: You are committed to actively contributing to a more equitable and inclusive FMT by facilitating conversations around diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice with the regional field team, fellows, volunteers, members, and within our broader organization. You’re committed to amplifying young voices to advocate for a more progressive, just Montana. You recognize how your own identities show up in the work and welcome, reflect on, and act on feedback with an eye towards continuous learning about race, ability, and other lines of difference.

We understand that the right candidate may have experience in different areas. If you don’t meet all the requirements above but have interest in learning, we encourage you to apply. 

If you were the Special Program Manager right now, you might be:

• Developing a Civics Under the Big Sky civic template focused on the MT State Constitution in partnership with an advisory committee

• Facilitating a 1:1 check in with our young men’s program organizer to support them in meaningfully bringing young men into the progressive movement

• Supporting a campus tour organizer with carrying out preparation for an on-campus event in the fall

What else you should know

Forward Montana is an equal opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by our issues and work. We especially encourage people of color, LGBTQ2S+ people, women, and people with disabilities to apply.

Logistics

• This position is full-time, salaried exempt

• You must be comfortable working unconventional hours-- including nights and weekends

• You must have the ability to travel once or twice a month, especially in the summer months (a valid driver’s license is required)

• This position includes both in-person and virtual components and so you must be comfortable being managed and building relationships with our statewide team remotely

The salary for this exempt position is $61,000. Forward Montana also offers the following benefits:

• 100% Employer covered health insurance, basic life insurance, and employee assistance program

• Opt-in Employee paid dental, vision, accident, and term life insurance

• Monthly technology and wellness reimbursements

• Retirement plan with 3% company match

• Professional development funds

• Generous paid time off policy through which staff accrue 4 weeks of annual leave per year, paid holidays
  

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and one-page cover letter stating your interest in the position, why you think you’d be the right fit for Special Program Manager at Forward Montana, and what skillsets you’d be excited to grow & develop in this position. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, preference will be given to applications who submit materials by Friday, May 22nd so that we can start interviews by Monday, May 25th. The preferred start date for this position is Monday, June 8th.