Program Manager - Essential Worker Health Trust

About RISE Partnership  

At RISE Partnership, we partner with unions, responsible employers, and public agencies to support caregivers and public service workers. We give workers the resources they need to make the most of their union-negotiated training and benefits. 

Our work is grounded in our core values: respect, integrity, service, and equity. These values guide how we deliver workforce solutions, like training, benefits navigation, job matching, and career development. We address the unique challenges Oregon workers face to ensure all workers have access to services and support that help them grow, thrive, and feel confident in their work and communities. 

About This Role 

Reporting to the Director of the Essential Worker Healthcare Trust, the EWHT Program Manager is part of a team of professionals to help deliver healthcare benefits to workers in Oregon’s long-term care facilities. This is a first-of-its-kind partnership between EWHT, SEIU 503, and responsible long-term care employers to provide quality, low-cost healthcare benefits to Oregon’s essential long-term care workforce. 

In partnership with the Trust Director, the Program Manager leads the development, implementation, and ongoing improvement of EWHT’s program operations. This role translates Trust goals into clear processes and procedures that support effective benefits delivery. The Program Manager oversees day-to-day operations and identifies opportunities to strengthen services and access to care for current and future long-term care workers. 

While each RISE employee is assigned to a specific team, we operate within a collaborative shared services model that encourages cross-departmental support. Some employees contribute to multiple teams, allowing us to leverage resources more efficiently. This structure enables our staff to focus on delivering high-impact programs that advance our mission, ensuring every resource is used strategically to drive meaningful change. 

Essential Functions 

Program Strategy & Improvement: 

• Establishes and maintains EWHT operational processes and procedures to support consistent daily, weekly, and monthly program performance; 
• Identifies, implements, and documents best practices for internal systems and workflows to advance Trust goals; 
• Exercises independent judgment to make decisions on program operations, including how to resolve escalated member and/or employer issues, when to escalate exceptions to standard procedures, and how to set priorities for open enrollment, benefits education, and employer onboarding within Trust policies and plan rules; 
• Interprets and applies the Summary Plan Description, Trust policies, and vendor agreements to resolve complex member and employer issues, and determines which matters carry significant financial, legal, or member impact and require Director or Board review; 
• Assesses operational needs for new and existing program components and coordinates implementation of improvements; 
• Assists in the development of program goals, strategies, and implementation plans, as approved by the Board, and oversees program evaluation using qualitative and quantitative benchmarks; 
• Operationalizes RISE Partnership’s REDI framework by integrating equity considerations into program design, operations, and evaluation. 

Team Supervision: 

• Supervises and supports assigned team members, which include member engagement and operations staff, providing oversight of their core work areas such as member issue resolution, open enrollment, benefits education, employer onboarding, and enrollment data accuracy; 
• Sets clear priorities and expectations, and monitors workload and performance to keep team operations running smoothly; 
• Provides clear direction, coaching, and regular feedback, modeling a growth mindset as well as collaborative and accountable leadership;  
• Manages confidential personnel and leadership matters with discretion and professionalism. 

Team and Partnership Collaboration: 

• Partners with internal teams, including communications, technical, and program staff, to plan and deliver clear, timely communications and to support data analysis and reporting; 
• Collaborates with EWHT's Third Party Administrator (TPA) and other vendors on day-to-day operations, issue resolution, and system improvements; 
• Works with EWHT employers and union partners to support open enrollment, resolve benefits issues, gather worker feedback, and develop metrics tied to program goals; 
• Represents EWHT in partner meetings and recommends process or program changes based on partner and member input. 
• All other duties as assigned 

This position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Program Leadership: 

• Ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with RISE staff, employers, workers, union representatives, Board members, and other partners; 
• Ability to synthesize complex and sometimes competing partners’ needs into clear, actionable program strategies and decisions; 
• Ability to lead program and system improvements while supporting equitable access and representation; 
• Demonstrated integrity, empathy, and accountability in program leadership and decision-making; 
• Skilled in conflict resolution, long-term strategic planning, and community engagement. 

Facilitation, Communication, and Adaptability: 

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills;  
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills, including the ability to manage different perspectives with diplomacy and tact; 
• Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines and with ambiguous and/or changing priorities;  
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively to meet goals. 

Supervision and Collaboration:  

• Effective at supervising, coaching, and supporting staff to achieve program goals;  
• Ability to lead internal and external partners to complete shared work;  
• Ability to address performance or conduct issues consistently and fairly. 

Project and Event Management: 

• Strong project management and organizational skills; 
• Ability to effectively track tasks, decisions, and follow-through across multiple projects and initiatives; 
• Sound judgement and ability to prioritize multiple and sometimes competing projects; 
• Strong knowledge and ability to coordinate logistics and event planning involving multiple partners. 

Computer and Software-Based Skills: 

• Strong MS Office Suite Skills, including Excel and PowerPoint; 
• Skilled in data tracking, analysis, and reporting using CRM and other systems; 
• Proficient in preparing high quality documents, reports, and other materials for a range of audiences and partners. 

RISE Values: 

• Commitment to advancing the voice and working conditions of Oregon’s long-term care workers; 
• Solution-focused approach that emphasizes collaboration whenever possible; 
• Ability to handle confidential information, including protected health information (PHI), with discretion and professionalism; 
• Ability to support RISE’s organizational values of Respect, Integrity, Service and Equity in the development and delivery of your work. 

Experience 

Required: 

• Experience working with government agencies, employers and employee engagement programs; 
• Experience supervising and supporting teams to accomplish program goals; 
• Experience designing and implementing inclusive programs for diverse audiences, including applying equity-centered practices. 

Preferred but not required: 

• 3+ years of experience in a program management position; 
• 3+ years of increasing experience developing, implementing, and evaluating healthcare or benefits programs. 

Working Conditions 

• Hybrid role based in Portland, Oregon (primarily remote with required in-office attendance for meetings or team events as needed). 
• Requires prolonged periods of sitting and regular use of a computer.  
• Regular use of video during virtual meetings.   
• Regular working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
• Willingness to work occasional extended hours, including evenings and weekends.   
• Ability to travel between worksites and/or meeting locations within the state as needed.  
• Must reside in Oregon or Washington and be able to attend in-person work or meetings in the greater Portland area, as needed.    

Benefits

• Generous Vacation Time 
• Generous sick time and parental leave benefits 
• 100% paid medical, dental, vision for employees 
• 100% paid medical, dental, vision for qualified dependents 
• Vision Reimbursement (up to $200/year) 
• Insurance Opt-Out Option 
• Optional FSA plan 
• $220 monthly flex spending benefit
• 15% employer-funded 401k with no vesting period (not a typo!) 
• Monthly internet reimbursement 
• 11 holidays + prorated floating holidays 

Application Requirements  

Ready to join RISE? To be considered, you will need to submit a resume and a cover letter, which needs to answer how your knowledge and work experience align with the position you're applying for.

We look forward to hearing from you!  

Equal Opportunity Employer 

RISE Partnership is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and others whose backgrounds and experiences strengthen our organization.  

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, creed, gender, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetics, medical condition, ancestry, or the presence of sensory, mental, or physical disabilities, or any other status protected by local, state, or federal law. In addition to complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws, RISE Partnership actively upholds policies that ensure fair treatment, prevent discrimination and harassment, and support equal employment opportunities.