Program Manager - SFPE Foundation

Position Overview

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing team focused on facilitating and promoting research that supports a more resilient, sustainable, and fire-safe world.

At SFPE and SFPE Foundation, we are driven by our mission to advance the scientific understanding of fire and fill critical knowledge gaps in the field of fire protection engineering. In the last few years, our grant-making has grown exponentially, with numerous projects and grantees active in various areas of fire engineering research and related fields. We’ve also expanded our outreach to industry and academic audiences to build cross-sectoral, interdisciplinary research collaborations, particularly in the area of Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) fires. We currently host the SFPE Foundation WUI Working Group Initiative, the open-access WUI Virtual Handbook, annual WUI Summits, and develop and promote training for fire engineering and related professionals operating in the WUI.

We are seeking an experienced Program or Project Manager to lead our Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) initiatives. In this role, you will track and report on funded projects, collaborate with grant recipients and research partners, manage in-house research and educational projects, and help share key research findings with both technical and general audiences. If you have the skills and motivation to support life-changing research that enhances community safety and resilience, we want to hear from you!

Responsibilities

This position encompasses four key responsibility areas, with additional duties assigned as needed:

• Manage WUI-Related Research Projects & Initiatives (50%): Staff liaison and operational support for SFPE Foundation’s WUI Working Group Initiative, oversee the execution of WUI-related research, including coordinating project timelines, deliverables, and funding. Assist with management of grant implementation, proposal requests, and project partnerships both within and outside the U.S.
• Coordinate WUI Educational & Research Activities (25%): Lead the planning and coordination of annual WUI Summit, coordinate with project Advisory Panel volunteers, external consultants, and instructors, and ensure quality control for WUI training and programs. Work with SFPE staff to organize research-focused workshops, events, and conferences.
• Disseminate Research Impact (15%): Collaborate with marketing and communications to build a research presence through digital platforms, infographics, and summaries. Create research impact summaries for use in donor communications materials, online, and other outlets. Represent the Foundation at global conferences or similar events.
• Data Collection & Reporting (10%): Support with development, collection and tracking of metrics for data collection across all Foundation-sponsored research projects, maintain a database and develop both quantitative and qualitative measures of success to assess the Foundation’s impact, and assist with drafting grant reports as needed.

Requirements

The successful applicant must be extremely detail-oriented, organized, exhibit a strong sense of ethics and commitment to transparency, be an excellent communicator with people from various backgrounds, thrive in team-oriented and collaborative work environments, show initiative, and be able to work independently with minimal oversight. Other qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree with 3-5 years of experience in research, project management, and/or WUI fire experience, or equivalent combination.
• Understanding of the scientific method and experience with data collection and research design.
• Demonstrated experience with research project management and experience with project or program monitoring and evaluation frameworks, data collection, and reporting.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and general audiences.
• Experience managing the work of others formally or informally is required.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and schedule meetings across time zones.

About SFPE and SFPE Foundation

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, was established in

1950 and is the world's leading professional society representing those practicing fire protection and fire safety engineering. SFPE has over 5,000 members and over 120 chapters worldwide, including more than 20 student chapters.

The SFPE Foundation, established in 1979, is a 501(c)(3) organization that facilitates research and educational initiatives to advance the scientific understanding of fire in the social, natural, and built environments. With the support of external grants and individual, corporate, and SFPE chapter donations, the Foundation funds professional awards, student scholarships, and research grants; leads cross-sectoral research collaborations; conducts research workshops and meetings; develops new initiatives to support the next generation of fire protection engineers and disseminates knowledge to advance the field of fire engineering and fire safety science globally.

Learn more about the SFPE Foundation: www.sfpe.org/foundation

Salary Range: $60,000 - $70,000

Location: Remote or onsite in Gaithersburg, MD

To apply, please submit your resume to bbennett@sfpe.org