Community Forge

About Community Forge

Community Forge is a nonprofit organization that works to be a living example of community

reinvestment and economic development that is inclusive and humanizing. We emphasize

breaking down silos in the Pittsburgh area by creating connections between members of

disinvested communities and those with resources and knowledge to share. Simultaneously,

the Forge anchors key community resources that uplift those living in distressed communities

in proximity to our building in the heart of Wilkinsburg. Since opening its doors in 2018,

Community Forge has established itself as a home for community servants, violence

interrupters, artists, educators, students, entrepreneurs, and innovators from Wilkinsburg

and surrounding neighborhoods in Pittsburgh’s East End.

Summary of the Role

The Senior Program Manager is a key operational leadership role at Community Forge,

responsible for the day-to-day management and execution of programs - BootUp, Economic

Mobility, and Community Wellness. Reporting to the Director of Programs, this role directly

supervises program leads, oversees program budgets and contract outcomes, and ensures

programs remain aligned with organizational strategy and stakeholder expectations. The Senior

Program Manager also serves as a thought partner in refining program models and, when

needed, delivers hands-on technical education in areas such as STEM, workforce development,

and advanced manufacturing technologies. This role is essential to translating strategic vision

into consistent, high-quality program delivery across the organization.

Principal (Essential) Duties

1. Directly supervise the program leads across the departments of Community Forge including BootUp, Economic Mobility and Community Wellness.

2. Serve as the primary point of operational escalation, resolving day-to-day program challenges as they arise across the departments of Community Forge.

3. Lead in compliance ensuring programs meet grant deliverables, reporting deadlines, and funder requirements day-to-day.

4. Serve as the lead strategic manager of the programs across Community Forge, ensuring alignment with the mission and expectations of leadership and external stakeholders.

5. Be comfortable delivering education in high technical areas relevant to modern technology and STEM education and workforce development curricula, including domains such as Computer Numerical Control (CNC), 3D printing/additive manufacturing and/or programmable logic controls, for example.

6. Maintain comprehensive documentation and program reports.

7. Alongside the Director of Programs, support as a thought partner in developing and refining program models to maximize impact and effectiveness.

8. Aid in acquiring new contracts and lead in the management of outcomes of existing program contracts across the organization.

9. Oversee and cultivate programmatic events such as hiring fairs, showcases, recruitment events, community events, etc.

10. Oversee the program budgets in relation to day to day transactions ensuring that projects are within budget.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

1. Strong proficiency in budget development, resource allocation, and financial oversight for multiple programs

2. Strong knowledge of program design, implementation, and evaluation

3. Strong strategic planning and operational experience

4. Ability to work in a fast-paced, high energy, and team-oriented environment.

5. Ability to delegate effectively.

6. Skilled in building high-functioning teams capable of meeting departmental and organizational goals

7. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear reports for varied stakeholders

8. Ability to work collaboratively and cross-functional teams

9. Possess an aptitude for technology and proficiency in MS Office Suite products with advanced skills in PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Experience/Education Requirements

1. Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

2. Minimum of 5 years experience in program management, preferably in a non-profit or community-focused organization.

3. Minimum of 5 years of management/supervision experience.

4. Demonstrated experience managing grant-funded programs and working within regulatory compliance frameworks

To apply, submit cover letter and resume to derrick@forge.community by September 10, 2026.