Sesame Workshop seeks a highly collaborative, dynamic, and mission driven Manager, International Programsto work closely with Sesame Workshop staff and partners around the world. The Manager will support program development, planning, and management for a variety of mass media, education, outreach, and public awareness initiatives, globally.

This role will provide project management leadership for a portfolio of projects across ISI’s regional and thematic priorities - including but not limited to South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, global/multi-country initiatives addressing needs of crisis-affected communities, WASH, and post Covid-response themes.

The Manager will report to the Senior Director, International Programs, in the International Social Impact Department (ISI).

This position isbased in New York City. Sesame Workshop currently follows a hybrid work model with designated in-office days determined based on the functional nature of the role.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management:

• Lead and support cross-functional teams to achieve project outcomes
• Set and communicate project goals with team; develop workplans, timelines and budgets
• Plan and allocate project resources; manage budget planning and oversight of expenditure and revenue recognition milestones, working closely with the Finance team
• Ensure compliance with Sesame Workshop and funder policies and procedures, including procurement and contracts, and proactive risk management, in coordination with Legal & Compliance teams
• Guide implementation of project activities across education, media production, distribution, and marketing/PR functions, monitoring progress and ensuring appropriate prioritization throughout the project lifecycle
• Solve issues that arise and drive decision-making within the team, with support from the Senior Director, International Programs
• Communicate project progress and outcomes to internal and external stakeholders, as appropriate

Partnership Management:

• Develop and strengthen partnerships with key external stakeholders necessary to achieve project outcomes, such as with local ministries, broadcasters, implementers, and expert advisors
• Manage relationship with project funders, with Phil Dev team; ensure reporting

Project and Program Development:

• Support the development of proposals for new project opportunities across the ISI portfolio, with an emphasis on effective project management throughout the proposal lifecycle, working with Philanthropic Development team
• Help create planning frameworks to support regional program development: presentations, planning documents, fact sheets, internal and external reports, briefings
• Conduct desk research and synthesize information on local educational and social development needs, mass media and digital contexts, and business development opportunities

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree a plus in relevant field such as International Development/Affairs
• Minimum of 4-years of relevant professional experience
• Ability to travel up to 10% internationally as needed, and work across cultures and time zones
• Background working or living internationally strongly desired
• Experience in project management, including project planning and budget management; program development a plus
• Superior process management skills, including exceptional time management and follow-through, experience with deadline-driven projects in a fast-paced environment, strong attention to detail
• Excellent written communication skills: analytical, polished, and precise
• Experience drafting compelling presentation decks, proposals, and executive briefings
• Excellent command of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Experience with collaborative processes and multi-disciplinary partnership management
• Poised and professional communicator who can interact with colleagues of various levels and functions, internally and externally within a hybrid work environment
• Self-directed and takes initiative to accomplish goals
• Commitment to Sesame Workshop’s mission and core values; cares about international issues
• Experience working in key Sesame Workshop thematic areas, including foundational skills, WASH, mental wellbeing, social-emotional learning, and inclusion, preferred
• Experience or demonstrated interest in children’s media and education, preferred
• Familiarity with digital media ecosystem and innovation in emerging markets, preferred

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW - INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL IMPACT (ISI)

Sesame Workshop’s International Social Impact department develops and implements Sesame’s powerful initiatives to serve children and families around the world. Building upon the familiarity and appeal of the trusted, beloved Sesame Street characters - and their global counterparts - we create and disseminate unique educational resources and tools for families most in need. Sesame’s research-driven initiatives reach many children who would otherwise have little or no access to early childhood education, and support all aspects of children’s development - including healthy habits; cognitive development in areas such as early literacy and math; mutual respect and understanding; and social-emotional well-being and resilience. We reach and engage children ages 3 - 8 and the important adults in their families and communities using multiple media platforms and innovative strategies - from television and radio to digital media, mobile technologies, classroom materials, teacher/provider training, social media, and more.

ABOUT SESAME WORKSHOP

Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street , the pioneering television show that has been helping kids grow smarter, stronger and kinder since 1969. Today Sesame Workshop is a global educational force for change with a mission to reach the world’s most vulnerable children. We’re in more than 150 countries, serving children through a wide range of media and philanthropically funded social impact programs, all grounded in rigorous research and individually tailored to the needs and cultures of the communities we serve.
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