Manager, Special Projects

Position Overview

Phipps Neighborhoods is seeking a Manager, Special Projects to drive execution across a set of high-priority, cross-functional initiatives that are critical to our growth and impact.

This role sits within Phipps’ Roots team. Roots is a cross-functional group that brings together Development, Data & Learning, and Education & Capacity Building to support program quality, performance, and growth across the organization.

The Manager will work across all three Roots functions, leading projects within individual teams as well as initiatives that span the full Roots team. The role also partners closely with program staff to ensure strong alignment between planning, implementation, and outcomes.

This is an implementation-focused role for a highly organized, solutions-oriented project manager who thrives in dynamic environments and is motivated by turning ideas into action.

Salary range for this role is $70-75k

This a hybrid role:  - 2 days at the Main Office in NYC 1 day in the Bronx, and 2 days remote

Key Responsibilities

1. Cross-Functional Project Management (Across Roots)

●        Lead day-to-day project management for priority initiatives that span Development, Data & Learning, and Education & Capacity Building

●        Create and manage project plans, timelines, and workstreams across multiple teams

●        Ensure clarity on roles, responsibilities, and deadlines across stakeholders

●        Drive internal accountability by tracking progress and following up to ensure deliverables are completed

●        Identify and address risks or bottlenecks to keep projects moving forward

2. Special Grants Implementation & Coordination

●        Support implementation of new and “special” grant-funded initiatives with unique outcomes, structures, or reporting requirements (e.g., pilot programs, model expansions)

●        Lead internal transition from proposal to implementation (“off-boarding”) by ensuring program teams have clear guidance, tools, timelines, and expectations

●        Translate grant commitments into actionable workplans in partnership with program staff and leadership

●        Coordinate across Development, Data & Learning, and program teams to track deliverables and maintain alignment between implementation and funder requirements

●        Proactively identify gaps or risks in execution and support teams in course correction

3. Special Events & Donor Engagement Support

●        Project manage special donor-facing events, including volunteer opportunities and targeted engagement activities

●        Coordinate logistics across internal teams and external partners to ensure successful execution

●        Support alignment between event execution and broader development goals

4. Organizational Priority Projects

●        Support additional cross-cutting projects as organizational needs evolve

●        Step into ambiguous or undefined workstreams to bring structure, momentum, and follow-through

●        Serve as a reliable “owner” for projects that do not sit neatly within a single team

Qualifications

●    Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Nonprofit Management, Communications, English, Public Administration, or a related discipline) or equivalent work experience in nonprofit fundraising or administration

●        3–5 years of professional experience, with demonstrated success managing projects involving multiple stakeholders

●        Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously

●        Experience coordinating across teams and driving work forward in complex, fast-paced environments

●        Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across program, data, and development teams

●        Detail-oriented with strong follow-through and a proactive approach to problem-solving

●        Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to adapt as priorities shift

Preferred Qualifications

●        Experience in a nonprofit, education, workforce development, or community-based organization

●        Familiarity with program implementation tied to grant-funded initiatives

●        Experience coordinating reporting, deliverables, or compliance requirements across teams

This role reports to the Director of Development and works closely across the Roots team (Development, Data & Learning, and Education & Capacity Building), with regular collaboration with program staff and organizational leadership.