Program Manager – Friends of the Walkway

The Program Manager is a new, full-time role that brings together membership, programming, and visitor engagement—three areas that are central to Friends’ Strategic Plan.

This is an execution-focused role for an organized, detail-oriented professional who is comfortable working independently in a small team environment. The Program Manager will own a defined portfolio of work, manage recurring responsibilities reliably, and collaborate closely with staff, volunteers, and partners to move projects forward.

Success in this role depends on sound judgment, strong follow-through, and the ability to balance planning with hands-on implementation.

Location: Poughkeepsie, NY (Hybrid; regular in-person work required)

Salary Range: $60,000 to $65,000 annually

Experience Level: 5–7 years

Reports to: Executive Director

Key Responsibilities

Membership Program (Approximately 40%)

The Program Manager is responsible for the overall health, growth, and day-to-day operation of Friends’ membership program. This includes setting direction for membership growth and engagement, clearly communicating the value of membership, and ensuring the systems and processes that support the program run smoothly and reliably.

Membership Strategy and Growth

• Develop and implement strategies to grow and retain Friends’ membership base.
• Clearly articulate the value of membership to prospective and current members through compelling messaging, benefits, and experiences.

• Monitor membership trends and peer practices to inform growth and engagement

strategies appropriate to Friends’ scale and capacity.

Member Engagement & Retention

• Strengthen member engagement and retention through timely communications, meaningful benefits, and opportunities for participation.
• Coordinate member-only experiences such as tours, programs, or behind-the-scenes opportunities.
• Draft and distribute membership communications including welcome messages, renewal reminders, benefit announcements, and program updates.
• Serve as a visible and approachable point of contact for members during programs, events, and on-site activities.
• Gather and analyze member feedback to improve the member experience.

Membership Systems, Operations & Administration

• Oversee membership processing, renewals, expirations, and data accuracy.
• Monitor and reconcile membership transactions and track membership-related budgets and expenses.
• Maintain membership records, tracking spreadsheets, and reports.
• Manage inventory and fulfillment of membership materials and tangible benefits (e.g., cards, decals, sticker packs, photo prints).
• Maintain inventory of membership program supplies (cards, envelopes, postage, etc.).
• Serve as the primary customer service contact for membership-related inquiries and troubleshooting.
• Support annual membership voting processes and meeting.
• Coordinate membership drawings and giveaways, including preparing materials for volunteer tabling efforts.
• Support initiatives such as One Dutchess resident sign-ups and related outreach.
• Identify opportunities to improve or streamline membership systems over time.

Programming (Approximately 35%)

The Program Manager oversees and delivers a growing portfolio of educational and engagement programs designed to reach diverse audiences and deepen community connection to the Walkway.

• Manage and grow the Walkway Explorer Program, including partnerships, volunteer coordination, materials development, and program delivery.
• Oversee the Walkway Connections education series and other interpretive programming.
• Work closely with Ambassador and volunteer committees to recruit, train, and support docents.

• Coordinate docent scheduling and serve as a trainer and on-staff educator as needed.
• Support and help deliver programs such as Walkway at Night and other pop-up or special initiatives.
• Collaborate with staff and volunteers to ensure programs are inclusive, accessible, and aligned with organizational priorities.
• Use programming as a tool for community engagement, audience development, and mission impact.

Event Support (Approximately 25%)

The Program Manager serves as the primary point person for coordinating Friends’ events,

ensuring they are well-organized, compliant, and appropriately staffed.

• Coordinate logistics for Friends-led events, including timelines, staffing plans, and on-site execution.
• Serve as the primary liaison with New York State Parks on permits, compliance, and operational requirements.
• Act as the main point of contact for vendors, partners, sponsors, tabling organizations, and participating groups.
• Coordinate with staff and volunteers to ensure adequate event staffing and coverage.
• Support integration of membership engagement, programming, and outreach into events.
• Provide occasional evening and weekend coverage as required.

Qualifications & Skills

• 5–7 years of relevant experience in nonprofit programs, membership, education, visitor engagement, or a related field.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage recurring tasks and deadlines reliably.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and execute projects with minimal supervision.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills; comfortable working with staff, volunteers, and external partners.
• Experience coordinating logistics, vendors, and volunteers.
• Sound judgment, problem-solving skills, and a flexible, solutions-oriented mindset.

Benefits & Time Off

Friends of the Walkway offers a competitive benefits package designed to support employee well-being, flexibility, and work-life balance within a small, mission-driven organization.

• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance with multiple plan options through United Healthcare, with efforts to keep employee premiums affordable
• Retirement plan with automatic annual employer contribution
• Life insurance equivalent to annual salary, at no cost to the employee
• Annual professional development support
• Generous paid time off and holiday policy, including an end-of-year office closure

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following materials via email to:

Lori Robertson, Executive Director at [email protected]

Please include “Program Manager Application – Your Name” in the subject line.

Application materials should include:

1. Resume
2. Cover letter outlining relevant experience
3. In the body of your email, a brief statement (no more than 250 words) describing why you are interested in working at Friends of the Walkway, and what strengths you would bring to this role.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Friends of the Walkway is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.

About Friends of the Walkway

Friends of the Walkway is the nonprofit partner organization supporting Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park. We connect communities and enhance the Walkway experience for all through education, programming, volunteer engagement, and stewardship.

As a small, collaborative team working closely with New York State Parks, volunteers, and community partners, Friends of the Walkway plays a critical role in delivering programs, supporting operations, and creating meaningful visitor experiences year-round.