About the Just Transition Fund

The Just Transition Fund (JTF) is the only philanthropic initiative in the United States solely focused on coal community economic transition. Founded in 2015, JTF partners with community-based organizations to strengthen and diversify local economies across Appalachia, the Illinois Basin, the Navajo Nation, and beyond — communities facing significant economic disruption as coal mines and power plants close permanently.

JTF provides grants, technical assistance, and strategic support to help community organizations access federal funding, build local capacity, and advance equitable, locally-led economic development. To date, JTF has helped communities access more than $2 billion in federal funding.

Position Summary

The Transition Exchange is JTF’s initiative to strengthen the connective tissue of the transition ecosystem through convening, learning, peer networking, and storytelling. The Program Manager leads the management and implementation of these field-building efforts, working in close partnership with the Director, who oversees program strategy, and external consultants, who support program execution.

Core Responsibilities

Convening Planning & Management

Serve as internal project manager for the following annual, in-person JTF events: National Convening, 2–3 regional or issue-specific convenings, grantee cohort retreat.
Coordinate with external event planning consultants to ensure successful delivery of convenings, including alignment on timelines, deliverables, attendee experience, and JTF priorities.
Support the Director with agenda development, speaker recruitment, session design, and participant engagement strategies.
Coordinate communications and planning among speakers, facilitators, partners, and attendees.
Support onsite convening management, participant engagement, and issue resolution during events as needed.

Grantee Community of Practice Development

Coordinate quarterly cohort calls for Local Economy Lab grantees.
Support planning and execution of the annual grantee cohort retreat.
Facilitate participant communications and engagement across the grantee cohort.
Develop and maintain systems for sharing resources and lessons learned among grantees.

Storytelling & Communications Support

Write short-form blogs and success stories highlighting JTF grantees and community partners.
Coordinate collection of community success stories and storytelling pieces.
Work with communications and design staff to publish and distribute storytelling materials.

Learning Resource Development

Coordinate production timelines for case studies and other Blueprint for Transition resources.
Support Transition Exchange Director with case study research and development.
Support dissemination of learning resources among community-based practitioners.
Coordinate virtual webinars and workshops featuring case study subjects and technical experts.

Overall Strategy Support

Support the Director in ensuring Transition Exchange activities are in service to JTF goals through proactive strategizing, ongoing key result tracking, and post-event analyses.
Identify opportunities for continuous improvement across all Transition Exchange activities.
Build and maintain relationships with community partners, grantees, and external consultants.

Travel Requirements

Ability and willingness to travel 20–25% of the time, including attendance at in-person convenings, site visits, grantee and JTF team retreats, and occasional partner meetings.

Qualifications

4–7 years of experience in nonprofit program management, economic development, community development, philanthropy, or a related field.
Experience working with rural, Tribal, energy, or economically transitioning communities.
Passion for community-led economic development.
Strong project management and organizational skills, specifically when managing multiple projects simultaneously.
Excellent attention to detail.
Excellent written communication skills.
Comfortability with CRM systems, spreadsheets, and virtual meeting platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience producing blogs, case studies, and/or learning resources.
Familiarity with event planning and vendor management.
Experience supporting training, workshops, communities of practice, or peer learning networks.

Compensation

Compensation will be commensurate with experience. The salary range is $75k–$95k, with a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision insurance, 401(k) with employer match, paid time off, paid parental leave, among many other benefits.

We offer significant flexibility, including the ability to work from home, as well as a stimulating work environment with a fun and energetic virtual team. The time commitment is 40 hours per week, on East Coast hours, but additional hours are likely during certain periods, such as staff retreats and convenings.

Ready To Apply?

The position will remain open until filled. If you have any questions about employment opportunities at the Just Transition Fund, contact our team.

The Just Transition Fund is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity and to maintaining an equitable and inclusive working environment. Employment, compensation, and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion/creed, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, medical conditions, pregnancy, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under law.

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Program Manager, Transition Exchange