Senior Managing Director, Program Implementation, US Programs (M4)

Save the Children

For over 100 years, Save the Children has been fighting for the rights of children. The right to a healthy start in life. To have access to education. To be in a safe environment, protected from harm. We work in some of the world’s hardest-to-reach places – over 100 countries, including the U.S. No matter what your role is, when you join Save the Children, you’re creating positive, irreversible change for children, and the future we all share.

The Role

As the Senior Managing Director, you will play a crucial role in helping vulnerable children achieve brighter futures. Reporting to the Head of Program Implementation, you will oversee program operations across multiple states. You will ensure the effective execution of state programs, advocacy, and fundraising strategies, while upholding Save the Children's core values. You will lead and manage State Directors responsible for program management. Additionally, you will represent Save the Children at the national level, strengthen and expand partnerships, and position the organization as a key program provider, partner, thought leader, and advocate.

Location

Hybrid – Washington DC, Fairfield, CT or Lexington, KY office locations, or

Remote – United States

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

Align State Strategies with Divisional Objectives (50%)

• Ensure states under your purview pivot from program-centric frameworks to whole community strategies that drive systems change.
• Inform and execute multi-state fundraising activities, co-develop strategies for acquiring funds, cultivate donor relationships, and support proposal and report development.
• Ensure programs are culturally adapted as needed.
• Collaborate with state leadership to align local strategies with divisional goals and objectives.
• Develop and implement comprehensive plans to integrate community resources and partnerships into state programs.
• Regularly review and adjust state strategies to ensure alignment with evolving divisional priorities and external conditions.
• Facilitate cross-state knowledge sharing and best practices to enhance program effectiveness and innovation.

Ensure Program Results and Accountability (30%)

• Accountable for achieving project deliverables, annual goals, and long-term strategic objectives, including development and emergency response in the recovery phase.
• Monitor programs and services to ensure excellence, adapt services to community needs, provide effective training and technical assistance, and improve program quality and data management.
• Hold state leadership accountable for executing with excellence and meeting high standards.
• Identify and mitigate internal and external risks to program implementation, ensuring teams' operations are risk-aware and nimble.
• Ensure effective cross-functional collaboration for financial management, donor compliance, and award/grant management.

Lead a High-Performing Team (20%)

• Collaborate closely with the Head of Program Implementation, stepping in to manage senior responsibilities when necessary.
• Deliver clear, timely, and constructive feedback to support managerial excellence and team performance.
• Champion the professional development and career growth of direct and indirect reports through targeted coaching and skill-building initiatives.
• Ensure robust Child Safeguarding measures are in place to protect children across all activities, promoting awareness and prevention.
• Train, develop, coach, mentor, lead, and supervise staff, fostering a culture of diversity, inclusion, and belonging, and ensuring alignment with organizational values and goals.

Required qualifications for the role

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, with 13 years in relevant roles, including 3 years in senior management
• Proficiency in MS Office
• Strong communication skills, and fluent in English
• Leadership and managerial expertise in coaching and leading diverse teams
• Experience in developing funding proposals and managing complex grants
• Willingness to travel domestically up to 30%, and licensed to operate a motor vehicle

Preferred qualifications for the role

• Experience working and leading teams in the implementation of programs with and for children living poverty in rural areas
• Ability to engage and influence various stakeholders, including partners, coalitions, and officials

Compensation

Save the Children is offering the following salary ranges for this position, dependent on candidate location:

• Geo 1 - NY Metro, DC, and other locations with labor costs significantly above national average: Target Salary for this position is $156,400 – $174,800 base salary

• Geo 2 - Locations around the US National Labor Cost Average: Target Salary for this position is $141,950 – $158,650 base salary

• Geo 3 - Locations significantly below the US National Labor Cost Average: Target Salary for this position is $127,500 – $142,500 base salary

The salary ranges listed above are for US based candidates. For candidates located outside of the US, salary ranges will be based on the salary scales of the local employer of record. Actual base salary may vary based on, but not limited to, relevant experience, base salary of internal peers, business sector, and geographic location (more information on job structure is available here).

About Us

We are looking to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive team at Save the Children. We offer a range of outstanding benefits to support this goal:

• Flexible schedules and time off: Flexible schedules, generous PTO, 11 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays and hybrid working opportunities
• Health: Competitive health care, dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Family: A variety of paid leaves: caregiver, parental/adoption, critical child illness and fertility benefits
• Employee Rewards Program: Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees
• Retirement: A retirement savings plan with employer contributions (after one year)
• Wellness: 15 safety and wellness days annually (if hired on or after July 1, safety and wellness days prorated to 8 days), mental health benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events
• Employee Assistance Program: free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services
• Learning & Growth: Access to internal and external learning & development opportunities and mentorships

Click here to learn more about how Save the Children US will invest in you.

Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom we are in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse.

Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs for children and families. Our shared duty, both agency and individual, is to seek and maintain safe working conditions for all.

If you require disability assistance with the application or recruitment process, please submit a request to applicantsupport@savechildren.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.