HEC Senior Program Manager, DIBI

Job Summary

The Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Higher Education Consortium (HEC) brings together senior leaders from the nation's maritime academies, naval architecture and naval engineering institutions, R1 and R2 research universities, HBCUs, community colleges, and the Navy's MIB Program - the first convening of its kind. Against the backdrop of the Executive Order on Restoring America's Maritime Dominance, the February 13, 2026 release of the White House Maritime Action Plan, and commitments of over $100 billion in new federal and international investment in the naval and commercial shipbuilding, participants embrace the challenge of identifying ambitious efforts and specific actions for how institutions of higher education can work together in support of America's maritime renewal. DIBI requires a Sr Program Manager to lead the HEC initiatives from academic, organizational, and logistical perspectives.

The DIBI Higher Education Consortium (HEC) Sr Program Manager requires strong leadership, organization, and communication skills. This individual will collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure the successful operation of HEC initiatives, events, documentation, finances, and personnel management within DIBI.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, Master's or terminal degree preferred
• 4-6 years of professional operational experience required; experience in higher education strongly preferred.
• Sound judgement, rapport-building, active listening, excellent interpersonal skills, proven ability to demonstrate initiative and motivation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills,
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize projects and multiple, competing priorities.
• Demonstrated accuracy, thoroughness, and quality of work.
• Must have a strong team-orientation and flexible approach to work.
• Advanced MS Office proficiency, including SharePoint, spreadsheet, database, presentation, and research skills. Experience with Workday a plus.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

Program Management (80%)

• Lead DIBI's HEC strategic direction under the guidance of the DIBI leadership
• Work with DIBI and sponsor staff to understand sponsor objectives for the HEC
• Establish and maintain close partnerships with partner universities and organizations
• Serve as an internal liaison and central point of contact to synchronize DIBI internal operations relative to HEC
  • Related to HEC, collaborate with and maintain synchronization between DIBI Communications, Research, Finance, and Operations Teams
• Ensure academic rigor is incorporated into all HEC initiatives
• Ensure all communications, events, and materials are high-quality and represent DIBI / Northeastern in a professional light
• Design and conduct HEC outreach initiatives (prior/post events):
  • Government outreach
  • Northeastern Faculty engagement
  • Internal and External departmental and institutional outreach
• Lead HEC event content and design conceptualization and planning
• Generate and socialize HEC ideas that align with sponsor and DIBI strategic objectives
• Lead internal HEC planning meetings
• Capture HEC notes and actions
• Follow up internally and externally with stakeholders
• Create and maintain HEC project timelines
• Create and maintain HEC contact and invitation lists
• Lead milestone deliverable reporting as it relates to HEC
• Collaborate with DIBI Communications team to produce briefing books, read ahead documents, event notes, executive summaries, and other materials surrounding HEC events
• Contribute content to communications and outreach materials related to HEC organization and events
• Contribute to DIBI newsletter highlighting HEC outreach, initiatives, events, and accomplishments
• Maintain awareness of and provide recommendations on HEC budget in collaboration with the DIBI Director of Finance

Administrative Support (10%)

• Provide logistical, administrative, and on-site support to HEC initiatives and events
• Lead event planning (space, catering, materials/supplies procurement)

Staff Supervision (10%)

• Directly manage and mentor temporary, contract, and student employees assigned to HEC initiatives.
• Develop and support recruitment, marketing, and outreaching initiatives for prospective HEC student workers.