Technical Program Manager (Digital Transformation)
SUMMARY
The Center for Puppetry Arts is embarking on a digital transformation that will ensure that the Center is supported by modern systems, creating sustainable workflows for staff and elevating the experiences of our members, patrons, donors, and audiences. We are seeking a highly organized and collaborative Technical Program Manager to lead this work across departments. This role will align technology upgrades, including CRM and ticketing modernization, data unification, and website redevelopment, with organizational strategy, staff workflows, and long-term growth.
This is a hands-on role for someone who can think strategically, manage complex workstreams, and build trust across creative, educational, fundraising, administrative teams, and vendors, in a mission-driven environment.
ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND
The Center for Puppetry Arts is the largest nonprofit organization in the United States dedicated to the art form of puppetry. The Center’s mission is to inspire imagination, education, and community through the global art of puppetry. For further information, visit our website at www.puppet.org.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Leadership & Strategy
- Develop and execute a multi-phase digital transformation roadmap aligned with strategic goals.
- Serve as project owner for the modernization of the CRM / ticketing modernization, including requirements gathering, vendor coordination, implementation, and organization-wide change management.
- Partner with leadership to define success metrics, priorities, and cross-departmental impacts.
Project Management
- Maintain detailed project plans, timelines, and budgets across multiple concurrent technology initiatives.
- Facilitate day-to-day program operations, including sprint planning, stand-ups, stakeholder check-ins, and risk mitigation.
- Coordinate internal teams (Ticketing, Marketing, Development, Finance, IT, and Programs) and external consultants.
- Communicate project status, milestones, and decisions clearly and consistently.
Data & Systems Integration
- Lead the unification of data sources across Ticketing, Marketing, and Development
- Oversee data migration and integration efforts between legacy systems and new platforms.
- Establish training resources and data governance practices and documentation to ensure sustainability.
- Partner with staff to identify reporting needs and optimize dashboards/analytics.
Website Redevelopment Collaboration
- Contribute to the planning and requirements for the upcoming website redesign.
- Ensure integrations between the new CRM/ticketing platform and the website support seamless customer journeys (ticketing, membership, donations, online learning, etc.
- Align web development timelines with other system implementations.
Change Management & Training
- Develop and execute change management plans to support the adoption of new tools and workflows.
- Create and deliver training materials, user guides, and onboarding sessions for staff.
- Foster a culture of digital literacy, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- 5+ years of experience in technical program/project management.
- Strong understanding of data architecture, systems integration, and information governance.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Proven success managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects on time and within scope.
- Familiarity with website redevelopment processes and cross-platform integrations.
- High emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills; ability to build trust and enthusiasm across varied teams.
Preferred
- Experience in nonprofit or cultural organization’s CRM or ticket system implementations (e.g., Tessitura, Spektrix, Salesforce, Blackbaud) is highly valued.
- Background in museum, performing arts, or ticketed entertainment organizations.
- PMP certification.
- Knowledge of audience engagement systems, donor databases, and digital marketing tools.
- Ability to analyze data and support reporting/dashboard creation.
Core Competencies
- Systems thinking and strategic planning.
- Cross-functional communication
- Problem-solving and risk assessment.
- Documentation and process development
- Training, facilitation, and change management.
- Commitment to mission-driven, community-centered work
EMPLOYMENT STATUS
AND PAY
Status: Independent contractor (1099); not classified as an employee.
Compensation: $75,000.00 for a twelve-month engagement, payable in monthly installments of $6,250.00; defined in engagement agreement. Contractor responsible for all tax obligations.
Benefits: not eligible for employee benefits (health insurance, retirement contributions, paid leave, etc.).
Work Environment: Flexible and project-based. Hybrid work with on-site presence required for key meetings, implementation phases, and events.
Deliverables: Lead digital transformation roadmap, CRM/ticketing modernization, data integration, website redevelopment collaboration, and change management/training initiatives.
Duration: Anticipated twelve-month project, structured around defined phases with deliverables and milestones outlined in the agreement; extensions subject to mutual negotiation.
Tools & Resources: The Center will provide access to necessary systems, data, and staff; contractor supplies their own equipment and tools to perform the work.
Independence: The contractor retains discretion over how services are performed, provided deliverables, timelines, and quality standards are met.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send your resume and cover letter to hr@puppet.org.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
*No phone calls, please.