Program Manager
CLIENT ASSOCIATION(s): International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS)
POSITION REPORTS TO: Assistant Director of Education, MDS
DIRECT REPORTS: None
EMPLOYEE STATUS: Exempt, Full-time (Minimum of 37.5 hours/week)
ROLE TYPE/LEVEL: Mid-Level (Non-Supervisory)
CLIENT/DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:
The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society is a professional society of clinicians, scientists, and other healthcare professionals who are interested in Parkinson’s disease, related neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, hyperkinetic Movement Disorders and abnormalities in muscle tone and motor control.
JOB OVERVIEW:
The Program Manager plays a key role in advancing the MDS education program by providing high-level program management and administrative support to MDS leadership, Director of Education and the Assistant Director of Education. This position oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of educational programs and leadership initiatives in alignment with the MDS strategic plan and organizational goals.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES (minimum of 37.5 hours/week):
- Lead the management and coordination of assigned program areas, including MDS education programs, Regional Section activities, designated committees, special interest groups, task forces, workshops, and special initiatives—from program concept through completion.
- Serve as a liaison with Regional Section Committees to advance strategic priorities and ensure alignment with the overall MDS mission.
- Develop and manage comprehensive program budgets; identify and contract with venues and vendors; oversee logistics; coordinate faculty invitations and travel; arrange shipping of materials; analyze evaluations; and prepare executive summaries.
- Provide team-based support for course development and on-site program delivery outside of assigned sections, as needed.
- Oversee the development of enduring educational materials and manage joint or co-sponsored programs through completion.
- Develop course syllabi and related educational materials.
- Manage registration processes for assigned programs.
- Ensure full compliance with ACCME and/or EACCME accreditation standards in collaboration with the Director and Assistant Director of Education, including completion of all required documentation and final course files.
- Provide administrative and operational support to the Director of Education, Assistant Director of Education, and assigned committees, task forces, and workgroups, including preparation of agendas, minutes, reports, timelines, action plans, correspondence, and presentation materials; maintain MDS action item reports and course approval tracking tools.
- Provide comprehensive administrative support to Course Directors.
- Research, gather information, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to support new initiatives and projects.
- Manage administrative functions such as invoices, check requests, cash sheets, staff travel bookings, staff communications, and course bursaries (travel grants).
- Draft and manage Requests for Proposal (RFPs) for venues, track submissions, and prepare comparative analyses.
- Oversee and assist with the development and maintenance of complex online forms and templates in support of education programs.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Strong project management, meeting planning, and communication skills. Excellent organizational abilities with outstanding written and verbal communication skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and word processing required.
Experience in association or nonprofit environments is preferred.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s degree, previous association management experience and familiarity with nonprofit boards of directors preferred.
TRAVEL REQUIRED:
Approximately 6-8 weeks per year including international travel; some early morning/evening and weekend work required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This is a full-time position located in our office in downtown Milwaukee, WI. A minimum of two onsite days per week is required, including Wednesday as an all staff in office day.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: (lifting, packaging, etc.)
Occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs. may be required.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Attendance at the annual meeting is required. Flexibility to work outside standard business hours as needed to support programs and events.