Program Manager, FORWARD Initiative

Position Summary

The AHLA Foundation seeks an experienced and passionate Program Manager to support its highly visible initiative – a collective movement to advance women leaders in the hotel and lodging industry.

This newly created role reports to the Vice President and will be responsible for overall support and implementation of targeted FORWARD activities. The successful candidate will be strategic and hands-on, with extensive relationship management of partners and industry members, to effectively meet the initiative’s goals.

Responsibilities

Program Management and Measurement

• Work with Vice President on industry research and analyze trends to inform strategic planning, program development, and KPIs/impact measurement.
• Source both outcome-centered data and qualitative insights to convey impact of FORWARD. Manage integration of such to effectuate fundraising, marketing, and communications.
• Manage soup-to-nuts execution of the FORWARD BUILD & ELEVATE leadership development program, including vendor due diligence and management, budget, curriculum development, stakeholder communications, and impact reporting.
• Develop engagement plan and manage the FORWARD Network. Foster community that provides opportunities for learning, mentorship, peer support, and professional growth in both virtual and in-person environments.
• Support the creation of relevant program materials including those in coordination with AHLA Marketing and Communications teams and external vendors as needed.
• Maintain accurate and relevant information conveyed via organizational website, social media channels and collateral materials.
• Regular reporting (monthly and quarterly).

External Engagement and Development

• Collaborate actively across the enterprise to ensure visibility of FORWARD in AHLA Committee meetings, membership events, executive meetings, etc.
• Develop persuasive and compelling presentations and communications that highlight the value and impact of the initiative’s work.
• Work with Vice President on strategic partnerships with relevant organizations to build a coalition that strengthens and extends the FORWARD mission within the hospitality sector.
• Serve as organizational representative at relevant internal/external meetings and events as designated by senior leadership.

Content and Event Planning

• Collaborate with the AHLA events team on the planning, execution, and evaluation of FORWARD events, including conferences, roundtables, and workshops for hospitality professionals.
• Coordinate and support speaker identification and outreach, agenda development, and event talking points.
• Partner with industry leaders, subject matter experts, and influential voices to deliver impactful, market-relevant programming.
• Support the evaluation of post-event reporting to gauge event success and continually enhance future programming.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or related experience.
• 4-6+ years of professional experience in non-profit program development and management.
• Professional and/or volunteer experience working on gender parity initiatives preferred.
• Proven project management experience across internal and external stakeholder groups, including with high-profile leaders and matrixed corporations/organizations.
• Familiarity growing and managing networks, chapters, or communities comprised of thousands of members/participants with varying needs and interests.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong strategic thinking with an ability to identify challenges and opportunities alongside recommendations for program development, enhancement or reconfiguration to meet participant, funder and industry needs.
• Proven communication skills, both written and verbal, with an ability to clearly articulate program impact and outcomes that resonate with program participants, stakeholders and funders.
• Dynamic problem-solving, including the ability to effectively source, analyze and report on data to inform decision making.
• Excellent relationship management skills with strong customer service ethic.
• Comfortable working under pressure and adhering to deadlines.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively across the organization, while maintaining attention to detail and “managing up” effectively.
• Positive attitude and willingness to be flexible to adapt to changing needs with entrepreneurial mindset.
• The ability to source, analyze, and report on data, including presenting organized themes and findings to leadership team.
• Proven experience creating and managing multifaced budgets.
• Experienced computer and software knowledge: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), project management tools (Asana preferred) and CRMs (Salesforce preferred).
• Basic design proficiency utilizing Canva, Adobe or other software.

Other

• Ability to travel (up to 15%).
• Hybrid position (three days in office) based in downtown Washington, DC.
• Target salary range for this position is between $70,000 - $80,000 annually