Program Manager for Theater & Musical Theater Initiatives

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Minimum Qualification/Specialized Experience requirements as noted below. In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you meet the following requirements: MINIMUM QUALIFICATION: To qualify for this Program Manager for Theater & Musical Theater GS-1109-13 position your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Reviewing theater and musical theater grant applications for eligibility, completeness, and budget accuracy, using published guidelines to support consistent recommendations. Analyzing budgets and financial records to assess organizational stability, identify risks, and recommend reasonable budget changes. Applying grant and cooperative agreement requirements to track deliverables, resolve issues, and document actions that protect program funds. Advising applicants and partners on project planning and funding requirements, using knowledge of theater field activities and trends. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the advertised grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the dates worked and total number of hours per week. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS resume template. However, if you do not use the template you must ensure that your resume contains ALL required information which includes hours worked, starting & ending month and year, and if Federal employment (series, pay plan, and grade). Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. This position manages National Endowment for the Arts theater initiatives, including Shakespeare in American Communities and the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge. The incumbent leads cooperative agreements and partner relationships, coordinates outreach, and drives program improvements. The role also reviews and panels Grants for Arts Projects applications and supports award actions and reporting.

Position Details

• Job Title: Program Manager for Theater & Musical Theater Initiatives
• Company / Organisation: National Endowment for the Arts
• Location: Washington, District of Columbia
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Field / Industry: Project Management
• Work Arrangement: On-site or hybrid - Washington, District of Columbia

About This Opportunity

This full-time opportunity at National Endowment for the Arts is an excellent opening for experienced professionals in the field of project management and operations. The role is structured around an on-site or hybrid environment based in Washington, District of Columbia and is designed for candidates who are ready to make a meaningful contribution from the moment they join.

Based in Washington, District of Columbia, this role offers the opportunity to collaborate closely with a local team in a structured professional environment. Candidates currently based in the area or open to relocation are strongly encouraged to apply.

Whether you are an established practitioner in project management and operations or a highly skilled professional looking for your next challenge, this Program Manager for Theater & Musical Theater Initiatives role offers the platform to apply your expertise in a real-world, results-oriented environment. National Endowment for the Arts is looking for a candidate who can hit the ground running and add genuine value to the team.

Who Should Apply

This role is ideal for candidates who have a solid background in project management and operations and a demonstrable track record of delivering high-quality results. You should possess structured thinking, stakeholder management, risk awareness, and the ability to drive projects to completion on time and within scope. Experience working with project management software, collaboration platforms, and reporting dashboards will be an advantage, though a commitment to continuous learning and professional development is equally valued.

Beyond technical or domain expertise, National Endowment for the Arts is looking for someone who communicates clearly, collaborates effectively with colleagues and stakeholders, and takes ownership of their work from start to finish. If you thrive in a professional environment and are passionate about the opportunity to deliver projects efficiently, on schedule, and within budget while exceeding stakeholder expectations, we encourage you to apply.

Key Competencies for This Role

Successful candidates for the Program Manager for Theater & Musical Theater Initiatives position at National Endowment for the Arts will typically demonstrate the following core competencies:

• Domain expertise - a strong foundation of knowledge and hands-on experience in project management and operations
• Problem-solving ability - the capacity to identify challenges, think critically, and implement practical solutions efficiently
• Communication skills - clear and professional communication with colleagues, stakeholders, and partners at all levels
• Self-management - strong time management and the ability to prioritise a varied workload while meeting deadlines
• Team collaboration - a collaborative and supportive approach to working alongside colleagues across departments or locations
• Adaptability - the ability to respond positively to change and thrive in a dynamic, evolving work environment

How to Apply

To apply for this Program Manager for Theater & Musical Theater Initiatives position at National Endowment for the Arts, click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be taken directly to the official application page where you can complete and submit your application.

Before applying, please ensure that your CV or résumé is fully up to date and clearly highlights your experience and accomplishments in project management and operations. If a cover letter is included or requested, tailor it specifically to this role and explain how your background, skills, and goals align with what National Endowment for the Arts is looking for in a Program Manager for Theater & Musical Theater Initiatives.

All applications for this role are processed directly by National Endowment for the Arts. Career Nest facilitates the job discovery process and does not pre-screen or forward applications on behalf of employers. There are no fees for job seekers at any stage of the application process.

About Career Nest

Career Nest is a global job aggregation platform connecting professionals with thousands of opportunities across every major industry - from technology and marketing to finance, design, data science, healthcare, NGO, engineering, and beyond. Our platform aggregates live job listings from verified employers, leading job boards, and trusted staffing platforms worldwide.

We publish thousands of new roles every day from sources across 190+ countries. Whether you are looking for a fully remote role, a hybrid position, or an on-site opportunity in a specific city, Career Nest makes it easy to search, filter, save, and apply to the roles that match your experience and ambitions - all in one place, completely free for job seekers.

Every listing on Career Nest is reviewed for accuracy and relevance before being published. We are committed to providing job seekers with the most up-to-date, trustworthy job listings available. Explore thousands more opportunities across all categories at careernest.cloud.