Western Virginia Resilience Project Manager

Location: Western Virginia (travel across multiple counties)
Reports To: Deputy Executive Director
Position Type: Full-Time (Part-Time Considered)

Position Overview

RISE is seeking a highly independent, tech-savvy Resilience Project Manager to support the implementation of funded pilot projects across Western Virginia. This remote role requires strong personal accountability, comfort with technology and online systems, and the ability to manage multi-stakeholder projects with minimal supervision.

You will work directly with RISE Challenge winners and local partners, including county and town administrators, Planning District Commissions, and elected officials, to help pilots move from concept to deployment. Comfort with basic accounting, reporting, and grant or contract documentation is essential. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys relationship-building, problem-solving, and helping innovative ideas succeed in real communities.

Success In This Role

Success in this role means pilot projects move efficiently from award to deployment, partners feel supported and informed, and awardees stay on track with milestones, budgets, and reporting. The Project Manager maintains strong relationships with local governments, stakeholders and Challenge winners, provides clear visibility to RISE leadership, and helps ensure pilots deliver measurable benefits for Western Virginia communities and readiness for scale.

Key Responsibilities

  • Assist with implementation of pilot projects and track progress using RISE’s online systems.
  • Support awardees with milestones, reporting, budgeting, and reimbursement documentation.
  • Build strong relationships with local governments and regional partners.
  • Troubleshoot operational and administrative challenges and keep RISE
    leadership informed.
  • Connect awardees with local contacts to support site access, permitting, and coordination.
  • Assist companies with follow-on funding opportunities and next-phase
    planning.
  • Maintain organized digital records and ensure accurate, timely reporting.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in public administration, planning, environmental science, emergency management, business, or a related field (master’s a plus but not
    required).
  • Proven ability to work independently in a remote environment with strong
    personal accountability.
  • Comfortable with digital tools, cloud-based systems, and virtual collaboration.
  • Understanding of state and federal budgets, invoices, reimbursements, and
    project documentation.
  • 3–7 years of experience in project management, community/economic
    development, resilience, or a related field.
  • Strong communication and relationship-building skills with government and
    community partners.
  • Experience with grant- or contract-funded projects.
  • Familiarity with Virginia resilience project grants and funding opportunities.
  • Willingness to travel throughout Western Virginia.