Director, Program Management & External Affairs

Description

Title: Director, Program Management & External Affairs

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Location: Bethlehem, PA (Onsite)

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

About Lehigh Valley Public Media (LVPM)

Lehigh Valley Public Media is at a pivotal moment in its evolution, committed to transforming from a traditional public broadcasting model into a dynamic, trusted community hub. With a renewed strategic vision, LVPM is embracing bold innovation in content, partnerships, philanthropy, and technology to ensure long-term sustainability and local relevance.

Position Summary

The Director, Program Management & External Affairs is a senior-level position that supports the effective execution of LVPM's strategic direction through strong program management, cross-functional coordination, and external engagement. Reporting directly to the CEO, this role serves as a key organizational resource, ensuring that major initiatives, funding strategies, and internal priorities are aligned, actionable, and well-executed.

At its core, this role is about implementation. The Director will help move projects from concept to completion by monitoring progress, identifying bottlenecks, and facilitating cross-departmental collaboration. This position plays a central role in tracking high-priority initiatives, preparing internal and external communications, supporting government and funding partnerships, facilitating board communications, and stepping in on special projects as needed.

This role works closely with leadership across departments and regularly participates in executive and board-level meetings. The Director is expected to handle complex assignments with discretion, maturity, and sound judgment, especially during periods of organizational transformation.

This is a role for a detail-oriented strategist who thrives in fast-moving environments, understands the dynamics of public and nonprofit sectors, and has a track record of making things happen.

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Key Accountabilities

Strategic Initiatives & Program Oversight

• Track and monitor organization-wide projects across departments, including news, radio, education, fundraising, community engagement, and operations, to ensure strategic alignment and timely execution.
• Identify roadblocks, coordinate across teams, and escalate challenges with thoughtful solutions.
• Serve as a hub for internal alignment of CEO priorities, ensuring deliverables remain on time and on message.
• Support internal documentation, meeting planning, and executive communications related to program execution and goals.
  
  

CEO Support & Executive Operations

• Provide high-level operational and strategic support to the CEO, including preparation of materials for internal briefings, board meetings, and external engagements.
• Attend executive and board meetings; track action items and ensure follow­ through across departments.
• Step in on special projects and ad hoc assignments that require focused execution or sensitive handling.
• Serve as a connector across the organization, helping to translate CEO-level priorities into clear workflows and actionable next steps.
  
  

Government Relations

• Assist in the development and execution of engagement strategies with local, state, and federal officials, in close collaboration with the CEO.
• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, and follow-up documentation for public policy or funding-related meetings.
• Monitor relevant policy developments and recommend appropriate positioning for LVPM.
  
  

Organizational Reslilience & Crisis Response

• Play a supporting role in identifying and managing internal project challenges, conflicts, and operational risks.
• Serve as a trusted operator in times of project and program crisis or internal conflict, helping to de-escalate challenges, align stakeholders, and identify paths forward.
• Support program project risk mitigation strategies, internal policy adherence, and cultural alignment with transformation goals.
• Help develop and implement processes to strengthen internal communication, policy adherence, and institutional alignment during times of change.
  
  

Grant Strategy & Institutional Advancement

• Support development and implementation of grant strategy in partnership with the CEO and fundraising team, with a focus on identifying opportunities that align with the organization's transformation goals.
• Coordinate efforts with external grant professionals or development consultants to ensure deadlines, compliance, and reporting standards are met.
• Stay informed on shifts in public funding structures and proactively identify alternative revenue sources.
  
  

Stakeholder Engagement & Institutional Relationship Building

• Cultivate and maintain strong, strategic relationships with key external stakeholders, including local elected officials, community leaders, business partners, and nonprofit organizations.
• Represent the organization in meetings, community events, and partnership discussions, advancing LVPM's mission, identifying areas of mutual benefit, and reinforcing the value of public media to local communities.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for collaboration, resource sharing, and institutional support across both public and private sectors.
• Track and interpret local policy trends, funding opportunities, and emerging partnerships to inform LVPM's external engagement strategy.
• Help position LVPM as a valued civic institution and trusted community hub for regional education, journalism, arts & culture and community engagement initiatives.
  
  

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in strategic program management, government/public affairs, or organizational leadership.
• 5+ years in a senior-level position with direct exposure to executive leadership and complex stakeholder environments.
• Strong track record of driving cross-functional initiatives, preferably in a public media, nonprofit, or civic setting.
• Bachelor's degree in one of the following fields: Business Administration, Public Policy, or Organizational Management preferred.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, across departments and deadlines.
• Experience with program evaluation and using data to assess impact and guide adjustments.
• Demonstrated success working with public officials or government agencies.
• Understanding of legislative cycles, public funding processes, and navigating bureaucratic systems.
• Ability to craft high-quality memos, briefing documents, board decks, and grant­ related communications.
• Able to translate complex organizational strategies into clear, actionable narratives.
• Able to work closely with a CEO and leadership team, maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
• Comfortable representing the organization externally in high-stakes or politically sensitive environments.
• Skilled at navigating interpersonal and cross-departmental dynamics with empathy and diplomacy.
• Able to de-escalate conflicts, build consensus, and maintain focus during change or crisis.
• Familiarity with project management and communication platforms (e.g., Asana, Teams, Slack).
• Comfortable learning new systems and helping others adopt tech tools in service of efficiency.
• A genuine belief in LVPM's public service mission, with humility and flexibility to jump-in wherever needed.
• Comfortable balancing long-term strategy with short-term tactical execution.
  
  

Work Environment & Expectations

• This is a highly visible and trusted role that requires discretion, flexibility, and the ability to manage multiple priorities with a sense of urgency.
• Some travel may be required for meetings with government officials or external partners.
• The position is onsite with flexibility for hybrid work when necessary.
• As you will/may be driving a company vehicle or your own vehicle on a regular basis, a valid driver's license and a safe driving record as determined by a driver's license background check is required for this position.
• All team members must successfully pass a background check (7 years), FBI fingerprint clearance and PA child abuse clearance.