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Public Programs Manager Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

CHEEKWOOD

Event Supervisor (Part-Time)

Nashville, TN · On-site

$20/hr

... public programs. You'll have the opportunity to work directly with clients, vendors, and guests ... This role will support Event Managers during these events and provide excellent customer service ...

CHEEKWOOD

Event Supervisor (Part-Time)

Nashville, TN · On-site

$20/hr

... public programs. You'll have the opportunity to work directly with clients, vendors, and guests ... This role will support Event Managers during these events and provide excellent customer service ...

Cheekwood

Event Supervisor (Part-Time)

Nashville, TN · On-site

$20/hr

... public programs. You'll have the opportunity to work directly with clients, vendors, and guests ... This role will support Event Managers during these events and provide excellent customer service ...

nLeague

Public Health Program Director 1

Nashville, TN · On-site

An employee in this class provides oversight of complex, milestone-based grant programs serving ... Experience in public health program management, grant oversight, or maternal and child health ...

CESO, Inc.

Senior Program Director

Brentwood, TN · On-site

$109K - $110K/yr

With a diverse portfolio of residential, energy, commercial, light industrial and public programs ... At CESO, a Senior (Sr) Program Director is responsible for client management of large portfolios ...

CESO, Inc.

Senior Program Director

Brentwood, TN · On-site

$109K - $110K/yr

With a diverse portfolio of residential, energy, commercial, light industrial and public programs ... At CESO, a Senior (Sr) Program Director is responsible for client management of large portfolios ...

CESO, Inc.

Senior Program Director

Brentwood, TN · On-site

$109K - $110K/yr

With a diverse portfolio of residential, energy, commercial, light industrial and public programs ... At CESO, a Senior (Sr) Program Director is responsible for client management of large portfolios ...

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All JobsPublic Programs JobsPublic Programs Manager JobsPublic Programs Manager Jobs in Tennessee

Public Programs Manager information

See Tennessee salary details

$11.1K

$49.1K

$61.1K

How much do public programs manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for public programs manager in Tennessee is $49,067.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,374.00 and $58,037.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a public programs manager?

Public Programs Managers are professionals responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing educational or community-focused events and initiatives, often within museums, cultural organizations, nonprofits, or government agencies. They coordinate public outreach activities, manage budgets, and collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure programs meet organizational goals and serve the community effectively. Their work involves strategic planning, team leadership, and evaluating program success to enhance audience engagement.

What are some common challenges faced by public programs managers when planning community events?

Public Programs Managers often encounter challenges such as balancing diverse community interests, managing tight budgets, and ensuring logistical details run smoothly. They must coordinate with multiple stakeholders—including vendors, local officials, and partner organizations—to deliver engaging and accessible programs. Flexibility and strong problem-solving skills are crucial, as unforeseen issues like weather changes or last-minute cancellations may arise. Successful managers proactively communicate with their teams and adapt plans to meet both organizational goals and community needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a public programs manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Public Programs Manager, you need expertise in program development, event planning, and community engagement, often supported by a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as public administration, education, or arts management. Familiarity with project management tools, CRM systems, and event management software is typically required. Outstanding communication, organizational, and leadership skills help you effectively collaborate with stakeholders and manage diverse teams. These competencies are vital for delivering impactful public programs that meet organizational goals and serve community needs.

What is the difference between Public Programs Manager vs Community Outreach Coordinator?

AspectPublic Programs ManagerCommunity Outreach Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree in public administration, communications, or related field; experience in program managementBachelor's degree; experience in community engagement or outreach
Work EnvironmentOffice-based with fieldwork for community eventsPrimarily community-facing, organizing events and outreach activities
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, non-profits, educational institutionsNon-profits, government, social service organizations
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in public program managementComparing community engagement roles

The Public Programs Manager oversees the planning and execution of public initiatives, often managing teams and budgets. The Community Outreach Coordinator focuses on engaging with communities directly, organizing events, and building relationships. While both roles involve community interaction, the manager has broader program oversight, whereas the coordinator emphasizes grassroots engagement.

What are the most commonly searched types of Public Programs jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Public Programs jobs in Tennessee are:

What are popular job titles related to Public Programs Manager jobs in Tennessee?

For Public Programs Manager jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Public Programs Manager jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Public Programs Manager jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Public Programs Manager jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Public Programs Manager job openings:

Public Programs Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Public Programs Manager job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,067 per year, or $23.6 per hour.

Public Programs Coordinator (Full-Time)

Cheekwood

Nashville, TN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Why Cheekwood?
Working at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens offers you the opportunity to work for one of the most beautiful places in Nashville. Formerly the home of Mabel and Leslie Cheek, Cheekwood now serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum, and museum with period rooms and art galleries. At Cheekwood, you will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of roles tailored to your skills and interests. Whether you are passionate about horticulture, art curation, historical preservation, or one of our many other career opportunities, you would have the chance to thrive and make a meaningful impact here. Working in such a place that cherishes its rich history, vibrant art scene, and serene gardens offers a unique blend of fulfillment and inspiration. You will find yourself in a supportive environment where every day brings new opportunities for personal and professional growth, amidst the backdrop of picturesque settings.
What does the Cheekwood Public Programs Team do and why join?
At Cheekwood, the goal of the Public Programs team is to enrich the experiences of our visitors and members. Their primary focus is to foster learning opportunities that blend the natural beauty of our gardens with the historical and artistic aspects of the museum. They create engaging programs that aim to inspire curiosity and appreciation for the natural world and human creativity. By joining the Public Programs team at Cheekwood, individuals can immerse themselves in a dynamic environment where they play a vital role in engaging in learning experiences.
What will you be doing?
The Public Programs Coordinator assists with the planning, coordination, and execution of Cheekwood's year-round public programming, including seasonal festivals, family experiences, cultural celebrations, music and performance programs, exhibition-related activities, and gardens-based engagement opportunities. The position provides administrative, logistical, and on-site support to ensure programs are well-organized, mission-aligned, and welcoming for visitors, members, artists, partners, and guests. The coordinator will support scheduling, vendor communication, supply management, event setup and breakdown, program materials, and internal coordination. The role requires excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail, flexibility, and the ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
  • Support public program logistics, planning, and execution, including supplies, signage, schedules, vendor coordination, production, set-up, and tear-down for all Cheekwood's public programs.
  • Research, schedule, and coordinate mobile food vendors for all Cheekwood's public programs.
  • Oversee programming and operations for specifically assigned events.
  • Communicate with vendors, community partners, volunteers, internal staff, and others to support successful program delivery.
  • Assist with contracting, scheduling, vendor paperwork, invoices, and other administrative needs related to public programs.
  • Help coordinate on-site program operations, including welcoming partners, troubleshooting needs, monitoring guest flow, and ensuring programs run smoothly.
  • Support the development and preparation of program descriptions, calendar and Web listings, registration details, run-of-show documents, and internal briefing materials.
  • Collaborate with Education, Gardens, Museum, Marketing, Events, Guest Services, Security, Facilities and Volunteer teams to ensure cross-functional alignment.
  • Assist with tracking attendance, expenses, visitor feedback, and other program metrics to support evaluation and future planning.
  • Coordinate and oversee annual Garden Society Shows with support from the Events Department.
  • Work as event supervisor as needed on weekends and after hours.
  • Responsible for meeting expense/revenue goals related to public programs.

Requirements
  • An associate or Bachelor of Science/Arts degree is preferred or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, especially in event management, public programming, hospitality, or related field.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
Required
  • One to three years of experience in public programs, cultural programming, event coordination, community engagement, or related field.
  • Experience coordinating vendors, artists, performers, volunteers, or community partners preferred.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple details, deadlines, and priorities.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Comfortable working with the public and provides an outstanding visitor experience.
  • Ability to work independently, anticipate needs, and solve problems in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external partners.
  • Ability to work varied hours and evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.

Preferred
  • Knowledge of Canva, Microsoft Office
  • First aid training is a plus.

Benefits
The well-being of Cheekwood employees is essential. So, when it comes to our benefits package, we offer one of the best. We offer the following benefits to all full-time employees:
  • Health Insurance with an HRA
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance (100% paid by Cheekwood)
  • Long Term Disability Insurance (100% paid by Cheekwood)
  • Voluntary Life Insurance
  • Short Term Disability Insurance
  • 403b and Roth 403b with a generous employer match
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Paid Time Off and 11 Paid Holidays
  • Aflac products are offered.

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