Manager, Heisman Foundation Programs

About the jobThe Manager, Heisman Foundation Programs will serve as the day-to-day lead for the Heisman Foundation’s High School program, with a primary focus on managing the Foundation’s signature partnership with the Aspen Institute and its flagship program, the Captains Academy. This role requires a highly organized, resourceful, and passionate individual who thrives in a collaborative environment and is committed to empowering the next generation of leaders through sport. Reporting to the SVP of the Heisman Foundation, this person will be instrumental in driving program excellence, building strong partner relationships, and creating systems that support long-term growth. The ideal candidate will bring a passion for youth development and sports, a proactive can-do mindset, and the organizational savvy to manage multiple workstreams at once. Key Responsibilities:Aspen Institute Partnership & Captains AcademyServe as the primary day-to-day liaison between the Heisman Foundation and the Aspen Institute, ensuring clear communication, aligned priorities, and strong working relationships. Oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of the Captains Academy, managing timelines, deliverables, and logistics from start to finish. Coordinate with the Aspen Institute and internal stakeholders to develop program materials, agendas, and participant communications. Monitor program progress and proactively resolve issues to keep initiatives on track and on budget. Support the development of new programming and enhancements to existing Captains Academy curriculum and experiences. Heisman High School ProgramsAssist the SVP in the development of the next generation Heisman High School program building off the partnership with Aspen InstituteManage day-to-day operations for the Heisman High School program once created, coordinating across internal teams and external partners. Build and maintain relationships with schools, coaches, athletic directors, and community partners participating in Heisman high school initiatives. Track program participation, milestones, and outcomes to ensure consistent delivery and continuous improvement. Assist in identifying and cultivating new partnerships and opportunities to expand the reach and impact of Heisman youth programs. Project Management & OperationsDevelop and maintain project plans, timelines, and workflows to keep programs organized and on schedule. Design and implement tracking systems to monitor program performance, partner deliverables, and key metrics. Prepare status updates, reports, and presentations for senior leadership and external stakeholders. Support budget tracking and coordination of program-related expenditures in partnership with the SVP. Manage program-related correspondence, scheduling, and administrative tasks with a high level of professionalism and attention to detail. Grant Program ManagementSupport the administration and tracking of the Heisman Foundation’s grant program(s), including maintaining grant calendars, deadlines, and reporting schedules. Serve as the day-to-day liaison with the Heisman’s grant making partner, the New York Community TrustAssist in the coordination of grant application processes, ensuring required materials, documentation, and submissions are organized and completed on time. Develop and maintain tracking systems to monitor grant awards, disbursements, grantee progress, and compliance with grant requirements. Liaise with grant recipients and partners to collect progress reports, impact data, and other documentation needed for grant oversight and stewardship. Prepare internal summaries and reports on grant program activity for senior leadership and the Heisman Foundation board as needed. Identify opportunities to streamline grant administration processes and improve systems for tracking and reporting. Collaboration & CommunicationsWork cross-functionally with Heisman staff to integrate high school programming into broader Foundation communications and storytelling. Draft written materials including program summaries, partner recaps, and participant-facing communications. Represent the Heisman Foundation at program events, meetings, and partner engagements as needed. Support evaluation efforts by gathering feedback and data from program participants and partners to inform future planning. Qualifications3-5 years of relevant experience in program management, partnership management, education, youth development, or a related field. Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and multiple workstreams simultaneously. Strong administrative skills with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through. Experience creating and managing tracking systems, dashboards, or program reporting tools. Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable preparing materials for both internal and external audiences. Strong relationship-building skills and ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners and stakeholders. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; comfort with project management and collaboration tools. Experience supporting grant administration, grant tracking, or nonprofit program compliance is a plus. Ability to travel nationally for program events and partner engagements as needed. Preferred ExperienceBackground in youth development, sports programming, education, or nonprofit organizations. Experience working with or within a national partnership or institutional relationship. Familiarity with high school athletics ecosystems, student leadership programming, or character development initiatives. Experience supporting or running signature events or multi-day convenings. Personal AttributesGenuine passion for youth development, leadership, and the transformative power of sports. Resourceful self-starter who takes initiative and finds creative solutions to challenges. Collaborative team player with a positive, humble, and mission-driven approach. High integrity, strong judgment, and a commitment to representing the Heisman brand with excellence. Comfortable operating in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with evolving priorities. Thrives in a startup-minded environment. Many of the programs and initiatives in this role are being built from the ground up, and this person must be energized by the opportunity to create, iterate, and problem-solve in real time. Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to pivot quickly as new programs take shape and organizational needs evolve. Work Environment & TravelMinimum 3 days per week in New York office. National travel required for program execution and partner engagement. Compensation$65 - $75K with benefits. Comprehensive benefits package. Additional InformationThe Heisman’s policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. Heisman Staff Shared Values:Drive Growth & Impact - Focus our efforts on growth, relevance and mission impact while respecting the brands traditionsEvery Winner Matters - Enhance the lives and legends of the Heisman WinnersTeam-First Mindset - Build and empower a sustainable, collaborative and grateful team to fulfill the missionStart with Clarity - Align and operate against a board-approved annual plan and budget while embracing continuous improvement