Associate Program Director

Code for America

. Serve as the primary project lead for assigned projects, accountable for successful delivery across scope, timeline, budget, and outcomes.

Posted 5/18/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $108,503 - $132,825 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as the primary project lead for assigned projects, accountable for successful delivery across scope, timeline, budget, and outcomes.
Shape and steward project-level strategy in partnership with the Program Director and other cross-functional leads, translating program priorities into clear delivery plans and success measures.
Own project planning from kickoff through close-out, ensuring roles, decision rights, and expectations are clear for internal teams and external partners.
Lead cross-disciplinary teams through ambiguity by setting direction, facilitating decision-making, and maintaining momentum toward outcomes.
Make informed delivery tradeoffs when constraints arise (e.g., scope, timeline, staffing), clearly articulating options, risks, and recommendations.
Monitor progress against goals and adjust plans as needed in response to delivery realities, partner needs, or shifting constraints.
Ensure project work remains aligned with Code for America’s values, user-centered principles, and impact goals throughout execution.
Elevate insights from project delivery — including risks, opportunities, and learnings — to inform Program Director decision-making and portfolio-level understanding.
Lead the end-to-end project management lifecycle for key initiatives, driving scope definition, strategic planning, cross-functional execution, and reporting
Translate program goals into clear scopes, milestones, and realistic workplans across disciplines
Coordinate project timelines, dependencies, and task execution with cross-functional teams
Support smooth cross-functional collaboration (e.g., between Programs, Product, Design, Engineering, Research)
Proactively surface delivery risks early and work with the Program Director to resolve issues before they escalate.
Surface project-level staffing and resource needs, including skill gaps, capacity risks, or upcoming transitions that could impact delivery
Use tools and norms (e.g., trackers, templates, standups) that improve teamwide delivery practices
Ensure delivery decisions are grounded in feasibility, capacity, and partner context.
Ensure what we deliver is on time, on budget, and aligned with our values and impact goals
Apply Code for America’s program delivery standards through a strong project management framework across projects, including:
Facilitating clear project kickoffs and a shared understanding of goals and roles
Ongoing risk and opportunity management
Demonstrating consistent partner communication and accountability
Upholding clear documentation and knowledge sharing
Facilitating retrospectives and continuous improvement practices

Requirements

What you’ll need

7+ years of experience leading complex projects in civic tech, consulting, government, or adjacent environments, with demonstrated accountability for delivery outcomes
Strong understanding of public benefits implementation and administration, particularly SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, EITC, CTC, or other anti-poverty programs.
Proven track record of cross-sector stakeholder engagement (public, nonprofit, private), ideally including product development, data usage, policy, and collaborative implementation.
Problem solver and strategic thinker who is comfortable using frameworks and data to help structure the team's thinking and solve multi-faceted problems.
A compelling oral and written communicator with a can-do attitude, who is able to clearly explain concerns, reasoning, and decisions to internal teams and external partners.
Thrives in a fast-paced environment, gravitates towards continuous change, and is able to change their mind based on new information or constructive feedback.
Natural collaborator who values honesty and openness, builds relationships, seeks input, does not shy away from conflict, and facilitates decision-making.
Passion for the Code for America mission and vision for digital service delivery, and strong and persuasive values for the role of user-centered technology in government.
Deep commitment to transparency and fairness.
Strong analytical and communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Passion for government service improvement.
Ability to thrive in ambiguity and work on under-defined challenges.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Laptop provided
A one-time $700 payment for remote environment setup; $200 stipend (in first paycheck) and up to $500 reimbursement, in accordance with our equipment policy
Cell phone and/or internet reimbursement of $50 per month
$500 annual (per calendar year) stipend towards professional development; prorated at time of hire
Up to $500 of professional development funds can be rolled over each year, up to a maximum of $1000
Training / guidance for staff required to utilize AI as part of their role, plus opportunities for employees to gain AI-related skills to support job and career growth
Employees receive a 100% employer match on the first 3% of contributions.
Employees with 3+ years of service receive an additional 50% match on contributions between 3% and 5%, for a maximum employer contribution of 5%
At least one no cost health insurance option for full-time employees for employee-only coverage
A minimum of 80% of the cost of dependent coverage
Code for America employees may work remotely across the US
Code for America employees main residence must be within the US
Open personal time off (subject to manager approval), a minimum of 14 paid holidays, and an org-wide closure from Christmas Day through New Year's Day
Paid sick time; up to 96 hours annually
17 weeks of paid parental and family leave
3 weeks of paid sabbatical after 5 years of service

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

project managementstrategic planningrisk managementstakeholder engagementdata analysisprogram delivery standardscross-functional executionscope definitionmilestone trackinguser-centered design

Soft Skills

problem solvingstrategic thinkingoral communicationwritten communicationcollaborationadaptabilityrelationship buildingdecision-making facilitationtransparencyaccountability