Program Function Specialist

Does the thought of preparing kids to solve the world’s greatest problems excite and empower you? Do you want to be with an organization where your knowledge and skills will help increase school engagement and student success, and extend our global reach? Do you want to be on a team that crafts opportunities and provides life changing experiences for students?

These opportunities are as strong and dynamic as ever, as FIRST® creates the people who will change the world – today and tomorrow!

What We Offer
We promise a fast-paced, exciting, and rewarding environment where you will be part of a team that cares about each other and thrives on each other’s successes. You’ll feel good about the future of the world after doing hard work with the talented people at FIRST® and will have a front row seat to our life changing programs.

Our extensive benefits package is highly competitive and includes:

• Healthcare Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life & AD&D Insurance
• Supplemental life insurance
• Voluntary accident and legal plans
• Income Protection Insurances (STD & LTD)
• Flexible Work Schedule
• Hybrid Work Model
• 160 PTO hours for FT employees
• 14 paid holidays per calendar year (one is a floating holiday)
  • Paid July 4th Week Holiday Closure
• 40 hours paid sick leave per calendar year
• One paid volunteer day per anniversary year
• Maternity and Parental Leave
• 401K Retirement Savings Plan (with employer match)
• Medical and dependent pre-tax flex plans
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The salary range for this position is $66,000-$74,500. New hires typically start within this range based on their qualifications, experience, and considerations of internal equity.

Who You Are
You are an organized, detail-oriented, and collaborative professional who thrives on bringing people, systems, and processes together. You are a proactive problem solver who can manage multiple priorities, coordinate across teams and external partners, and keep projects moving toward successful outcomes. You bring strong communication and customer service skills, a solutions-oriented mindset, and a commitment to operational excellence and the FIRST ethos of Gracious Professionalism®.

FIRST headquarters is in Manchester, New Hampshire, and we seek candidates based in New England or willing to relocate to New England. Although this role will have the flexibility to work remote, we are looking for candidates who can easily and frequently travel by car to our headquarters during competition season (November – May) or as needed for in person events.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

What You Will Do
Supports the operational infrastructure for K-8 program delivery, with primary responsibility for systems, analytics, logistics, project coordination, and operational readiness. Coordinates with vendors, contractors, FIRST Sourcing, Finance, IT, and other internal teams to resolve operational issues and prepare Program Delivery Partners for each season.
Additionally you will:

• Lead subject matter expert on the K-8 Event Portal, collaborates with program development and other FIRST departments to update and maintain the system each season.  
• Utilizes advanced Excel skills to create assets for team evaluations at events. 
• Creates and provides operational reports for FIRST staff and Partners using FIRST systems, including Tableau, NetSuite, TARDIS, and the Event Portal, and supports data quality and recurring reporting needs.  
• Leads collection, documentation, prioritization, and validation of K-8 departmental technology and system requirements.   
• Serves as the K-8 program liaison to IT, including participation in JIRA governance including the creation and monitoring of department tickets.  
• Coordinates with Finance, Sourcing, vendors, and external partners on Partner materials, shipping, inventory, and related operational reporting.  
• Coordinates the resolution of elevated Operations customer issues related to registration, ordering, or product concerns.  
• Provides logistics, systems, reporting, and operational support for World Festival as directed by the project lead.  
• Supports and facilitates the planning and delivery of Program Delivery Partner communications and trainings including gathering content for Partner emails and webinars. 

What We Expect

• Typically requires BS/BA in a related discipline, with a minimum of 2 years directly-related experience.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience working with both internal and external customers.
• Organization skills and attention to detail a must.
• Flexibility to travel 5 – 10%.

Commitment to FIRST® Core Values

Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.
Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
Impact: We apply what we learn to improve our world.
Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.
Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.
Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do!

Thriving on our core values, celebrating the uniqueness of our employees and committed to inclusion. Proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

By submitting my application, I certify that the information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any false statements or omissions may result in disqualification from employment or, if employed, termination.

I acknowledge that FIRST may conduct a comprehensive background check as part of the hiring process. This may include, but is not limited to, verification of my employment history, education, professional credentials, employment references, and a review of prior involvement with FIRST in an employment or volunteer capacity.

I further acknowledge that if I receive a conditional offer of employment, my employment status remains contingent upon the results of a criminal records check, and that the findings may affect my eligibility for employment. Additionally, for certain positions where job responsibilities warrant it, FIRST may conduct a credit check as part of the background screening process, in compliance with applicable laws.

FIRST takes your privacy seriously, and we are dedicated to protecting the confidentiality of your personal data. If you apply for a position at FIRST, we will collect, process, and store your personal data, such as your name, contact information, and application materials, to comply with our regulatory and legal obligations. FIRST will retain employment records, including employment applications, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.