Job Description

The Technical Program Manager leads the program management strategy and execution and drives continuous improvement of the foundation’s core digital platforms and technical initiatives. Operating at the intersection of technology, strategy, and science communication, the Technical Program Manager is reliable for technical solutions to meet organizational goals across a diverse set of stakeholders and websites, including simonsfoundation.org, quantamagazine.org, and thetransmitter.org.

Through close collaboration with stakeholder teams and software engineers, this role ensures internal processes and public-facing web properties effectively advance the foundation’s mission of supporting basic science research and public engagement. This role reports to the Director, Digital Technology on the Digital Technology team within External Relations.

This is a full-time position based in the Simons Foundation offices in New York City. Visit the Simons Foundation career page to learn more.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee complex, multi-site digital technology initiatives through their lifecycle, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, technical requirements, and timelines.
• Serve as a technical liaison across internal departments, editorial teams, and external agencies, translating strategic objectives into detailed project requirements.
• Organize and facilitate regular touchpoints with key stakeholders to communicate goals and align priorities.
• Guide software development workflows, establish QA best practices, and collaborate closely with engineering and infrastructure teams to maintain high standards of site performance, accessibility, and security.
• Optimize design-to-development handoffs, sprint planning, and ticketing processes to improve team throughput and responsiveness to stakeholder requests.
• Manage all Jira-related tracking, board configurations, and ticketing activities across all websites and projects to maintain visibility and streamline project workflows.
• Evaluate and incorporate modern digital tools, AI technologies, and analytics frameworks into technical workflows to support future-facing digital strategy.
• Perform other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, management of information systems, or a related technical field.

Experience

• 5+ years' experience managing multi-site digital technology portfolios, aligning technical solutions with strategic organizational goals, and overseeing end-to-end lifecycle execution.
• Strong technical acumen, end-to-end troubleshooting skills, and quality assurance expertise, with hands-on experience in software development workflows, sprint planning, and design-to-development handoffs.
• Expertise in Jira administration, ticket creation, ticket tracking, and board configuration, along with experience using and evaluating modern digital tools and AI technologies to optimize workflows.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with demonstrated success serving as a technical liaison and program manager between editorial staff and website producers, internal leadership, engineering, and external agencies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Understanding of user experience design principles, proficiency with standard UX design software, and experience managing key considerations during design-to-developer handoffs
• Familiarity with analytics strategies and using Google Analytics 4 (GA4); and Google Tag Manager (GTM) to track, report, and optimize digital platform performance.
• Familiarity with WordPress site architecture, security considerations, and plugin management.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS 

• Please submit a résumé and cover letter stating your interest in the position.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 

• The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $120,000-$140,000, depending on experience.
• In addition to competitive salaries, the Simons Foundation provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.

Our Commitment to Expanding Pathways to Science & Opportunities for All:

Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds, and experiences. The Simons Foundation is committed to advancing basic science and mathematics to benefit humankind and expand our collective understanding of our world. As part of our mission, we support partners, programs, and initiatives that seek to broaden the scientific community and open pathways to science and mathematics careers. 

The Simons Foundation provides equal opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state, and local law.