Senior Project Manager

Durham Next is a nonprofit organization operated by Discover Durham and is a visionary community partnership for the sustainable advancement of Durham as the best place to live, work and visit. Durham Next aims to create a prosperous Durham for everyone by actively pursuing transformative projects, programs and other community-based opportunities that will attract visitors and newcomers and build a thriving environment for our residents. Discover Durham is Durham’s marketing and sales agency, generating economic impact by drawing 13 million leisure, business, and sports visitors to our vibrant community each year. Discover Durham also operates the Durham Sports Commission (DSC), a private, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to create economic and social impact by leading the community’s efforts to attract, support, and promote youth, amateur, collegiate, and professional sporting and recreational events.

Durham Next is seeking a Senior Project Manager to join our growing team. The ideal candidate for this position leads and supports multiple ongoing projects and ensures accurate and timely progress while managing relationships with consultants, contractors, external stakeholders, internal departments, and community members.

Primary Responsibilities

Project & Program Leadership

• Support the development and implementation of key initiatives, including public facilities and infrastructure projects, small business development initiatives, festival and event programming, and other economic development or capital improvement projects to ensure they are executed in alignment with the Destination Master Plan.
• Manage cross-functional project teams, including staff, contractors, and consultants, for multiple active projects, overseeing the development and progress of project work plans, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and holding teams accountable for timely, on-budget execution.
• Develop and oversee implementation of community engagement plans for assigned projects.
• Work with the executive director and project stakeholders to initiate new projects when appropriate, including conducting research on project scope, creating project proposals and budgets, and building and recruiting project teams.
• Provide strategic and logistical oversight of major organizational programs and processes, including the Community Advisory Council, Matching Grants Program, and solicitation of development proposals.
• Review analysis, reports, and recommendations prepared by consultants and staff to ensure accuracy, completeness, and alignment.
• Present progress reports to the Executive Director and senior leadership team.
• Participate in coordination and preparation of development-related contracts.
  
  

People, Financial, & External Stewardship

• Participate in partner and community meetings, as needed.
• Oversee organizational expenditures and project budgets to ensure compliance with funding requirements within established limits, in collaboration with the Executive Director and finance staff.
• Collaborate with Discover Durham’s marketing team to align communications and ensure marketing plans for Durham Next are implemented successfully.
  
  

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Economic Development, Business Administration, Public Administration, Community Development, or related field.
• Three years of increasingly responsible experience in the implementation of economic development, community development, or capital project construction initiatives.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex projects and project teams.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Economic Development, Business Administration, Public Administration, Community Development, Urban/Regional Planning, or related field.
• Experience in Asana or other project management software.
• Experience working with local government organizations in zoning and permitting processes.
• Strong political and cultural sensitivity; ability to work across diverse communities and build consensus.
• Excellent leadership, facilitation, and communication skills.
  
  

Salary & Benefits

Durham Next offers exceptional benefits, including employer-paid insurance premiums for staff and employer contributions to HSA, generous retirement contributions to the NC pension program, a flexible hybrid work schedule, an enviable vacation and holiday allowance, paid parental leave, a wellness stipend, a monthly mobile device stipend, paid downtown parking, and a great team of coworkers. It is a hybrid work environment, with employees expected to be in the office at least three days a week. Plus, you’ll work in a prime location on Main Street in the heart of downtown Durham.

As Senior Project Manager, you can expect a salary in the range of $75,000 - $85,000, commensurate with experience.

Durham Next is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

PLEASE, NO PHONE CALLS, EMAILS, OR WALK-INS REGARDING THIS POSITION.