Program Operations Associate

Lead For America

Job Overview

Location

Remote

Salary

USD 50,000 - 65,000 yearly

Employment Type

Full-time

Work Arrangement

Remote

Sector

Nonprofit & NGO

Experience Level

Junior (1-3 years)

Application Deadline

June 24, 2026

About the Company

Lead For America (LFA) is a dynamic national service organization committed to empowering individuals to serve and lead within their own communities. Since its inception in 2018, LFA has facilitated over 500 full-time public service fellowships across 44 states, fostering a new generation of civic leaders.

The organization's American Connection Corps (ACC) program, launched in 2021, specifically targets the digital divide by placing members in digitally underserved communities. This initiative is bolstered by significant partnerships with AmeriCorps and major corporations, underscoring LFA's broad reach and impact.

LFA operates with a strong set of core values: Connection, Innovation, Service, Stewardship, and Trust. These principles guide their approach to program design, implementation, and community engagement, ensuring that their work is both effective and deeply rooted in the places they serve.

Job Description

Lead For America is dedicated to fostering place-based service opportunities, empowering local individuals to collaborate with mission-driven organizations. Our goal is to advance solutions that are deeply informed by local context and responsive to community needs.

The American Connection Corps (ACC) is an AmeriCorps service program specifically designed to address the digital divide in underserved communities. With support from AmeriCorps and various corporate partners, ACC members are currently serving in over 30 states nationwide.

Within Lead For America, the Programs Department is responsible for the strategic design, implementation, and evaluation of impactful programs. We ensure that our initiatives are thoughtfully developed, executed with excellence, and rigorously assessed for long-term impact, all while staying true to our core values: Connection, Innovation, Service, Stewardship, and Trust.

The Program Operations Associate will play a crucial role in researching, developing, and supporting the implementation of Lead For America programs throughout each Program Year. This position demands a strong understanding of organizational workflows, multi-sectoral project management, logistics for both in-person and virtual convenings, and overall program operations.

You will be responsible for gathering and curating essential resources, training materials, events, and opportunities for our Members and Host Sites to enhance their service experience. This role reports directly to the Director of Program Operations and will work closely with Program Coordinators, who serve as vital links between program design and on-the-ground realities. Occasional travel within the U.S. and its territories may be required.

Required Skills

Program ManagementData AnalysisProcess DevelopmentProject ManagementCRMAsanaGoogle SheetsVirtual ConveningIn-person Convening

Key Responsibilities

  • Build and update templates and project tracking tools in core systems (Asana, Google Sheets, Google Forms, Campground) to establish, refine or revise Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and conduct regular analysis of critical workstreams.
  • Document processes, regulations, and resources for all LFA Program operations to increase efficiency, consistency, and program implementation.
  • Conduct needs assessments of existing programs, support feedback loops, and gather data to identify implementation improvement opportunities (especially regarding workflows and SOPs).
  • Assist with Program Operations Feasibility Tests for LFA’s programmatic growth and expansion.
  • Provide "retro" (retrospective) support for the Program Implementation and Program Operations-specific retros following program milestones by creating templates, supporting notetaking, and tracking team commitments via project management platforms.
  • Coordinate task assignments in Campground (Program CRM and LMS platform).
  • Ensure the task completion of Host Site Supervisor and Member transitions—from recruiting to onboarding, orientation, and throughout their service term.
  • Support program wrap-up activities, including building out "Member Exit" project boards and reviewing and organizing final files (e.g., Member SOS content).
  • Stay current on tools and best practices for process improvements, including automation and AI.
  • Collaborate with Monitoring & Evaluation and Program Coordinators on tasks and logistics associated with data collection, data quality, data monitoring, and grant compliance.
  • Understand and support compliance with evaluation and audit needs, as well as programmatic requirements, in support of the Director of Program Operations and the Compliance and Grant Manager.
  • Coordinate with Marketing & Communications, Program Coordinators, and Team Leads to collect member service highlights and pipeline via internal platforms (Slack, site visits) for internal Member communication and external communication to stakeholders (e.g. Host Sites, marketing).
  • Partner with Recruitment and Grant Management/Compliance teams to problem-solve and ensure the details of requirements are met in an effective and streamlined manner.
  • Serve as a core team member to organize and support logistics related to the development and execution of virtual and in-person convenings, training sessions, and PC Pods.
  • Manage comprehensive event logistics for Host Site Orientations and Program Launches, including Zoom meeting setup, RSVP tracking, and attendance management.
  • Provide convening planning support by building out project boards (e.g., Asana), creating Google Drive folders, and preparing foundational logistics and planning documents using organizational templates.
  • Work closely with the Program Coordinators (PCs), Monitoring and Evaluation, and other cross-department teams to support effective data input, flow, and accuracy, and use in core systems and record management for achieving program goals and grant compliance.
  • Execute data migrations and platform updates, such as exporting and uploading data between systems (e.g., America Learns to Campground).
  • Serve as administrator for Member Slack channel to curate conversations and resources, promote peer to peer support and networking, strengthen a sense of community, and technical support is coordinated with the COO and IT Manager.
  • Manage cohort onboarding by building out orientation task assignments within CRM and tracking platforms (e.g., Campground).
  • Track, analyze, and report host and member progress (including weekly member highlights and exit counts) using CRM and project management tools (e.g., Workable, Campground, Asana) to ensure accurate, real-time reporting.
  • Understand and integrate data analysis needs for various workstreams and operational components to align with organizational priorities.
  • Compliance for org-wide administration - expense reporting, benefits, KPI tracking.
  • Taking part in additional organizational initiatives, priorities, and responsibilities, as needed.

Qualifications

  • 2–5 years of experience in the NGO, government entities, philanthropies, or corporations — with relevant experience in program management, data analysis, process development, and program operations support.
  • Hands-on experience supporting complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives and ensuring they run smoothly, on time, and with impact.
  • Proven team work experience — you’ve worked independently and in a team environment both in-person and remotely, proactively seeking and creating clarity around duties and expectations.
  • Strong foundational knowledge on building systems, processes, and tools that support high-quality program implementation.
  • Ability to keep things organized, break down complexities into simpler manageable tasks, coordinating logistics, timelines, and workflows, and support multiple initiatives simultaneously.
  • Strong problem-solving and feedback orientation — ability to identify implementation challenges, gather input, find innovative solutions, and test them effectively and collaboratively.
  • Detail-oriented and comfortable working with numbers for a variety of tasks including budget support, performance and progress against goals, data preparation and analysis to inform senior leadership decisions.
  • Clear, confident communicator — ability to communicate expectations, timelines, and next steps with clarity and professionalism.
  • Ability to work effectively across functions and departments (e.g., Program Design, Recruitment & Selection, Finance, Marketing & Communications, Development) and align resources and information to support program success.
  • Commitment to equity and inclusion — ability to integrate equity principles into operational systems and team management.
  • Deep care for the power of national service and civic leadership, and motivation to support the people and systems that make community-rooted change possible.

Benefits & Perks

  • Salary Range: $50,000-$65,000
  • Starting salary dependent on role and experience level.
  • Salaries are expected to rise over time with increased experience, inflation, and the growth of the organization.
  • Ample opportunity for promotion for most roles.

How to Apply

To apply for this role, click the Apply button on this page and follow the instructions.

Join Our Communities

The U.S. non-profit sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing demand for community-focused solutions and a renewed emphasis on civic engagement. This role is pivotal in scaling impact through meticulous program design and execution. Key technical areas include CRM management, data analysis, workflow automation, and virtual/in-person convening logistics. The Program Operations Associate will directly influence organizational efficiency and the successful delivery of community-based initiatives, contributing to measurable improvements in program ROI and stakeholder satisfaction. This position is crucial for enhancing the operational backbone that supports nationwide service programs.

Posted Date

June 10, 2026