Associate (multiple positions)
Remote
Full Time
Mid Level
Thank you for your interest in working at Partners for Public Good. To apply for this position, please complete and submit all information in this form. The deadline to apply is May 6. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
Associate (multiple positions)
Location: Flexible within the U.S. but requires access to a major U.S. airport for travel. Position Type: Full-time
About Us:
At Partners for Public Good, we believe that when government works, communities thrive. Launched in March 2025, we are a fast-growing nonprofit dedicated to helping state and local governments harness core operational functions – procurement, staffing, digital infrastructure, and budgeting – to drive public impact. Our journey began in 2011 at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Government Performance Lab, where we set out to transform public procurement. Since then, we’ve worked with hundreds of governments across the country to make their procurement systems more efficient, fair, results-driven, and strategic. In 2022, we launched the Procurement Excellence Network, putting our tools and strategies in the hands of over two thousand public servants.
Today, our team of doers, coaches, and advisors partners with governments to create lasting, impactful change. Our vision is simple: every resident has a government they can count on, every day.
Role & Organizational Impact:
At PPG, Associates drive the design and execution of projects and strategic initiatives. Working closely with Project Leaders and Assistant Directors, they shape project strategy and lead implementation. Associates may work on a single in-depth initiative or contribute to multiple shorter-term engagements or efforts. These roles are an exciting opportunity to be on the frontlines of implementation—shaping and executing solutions to drive meaningful change in public service delivery.We are currently hiring Associates for the following projects:
- Procurement Transformation: In these intensive engagements, we partner directly with governments to provide hands-on support to overhaul complex procurement and contracting systems. Associates on this team will lead design and implementation of change management initiatives in direct partnership with governments. They also support research and scoping of new projects.
- Infrastructure: Our infrastructure team is in the early stages of designing and building supports for local governments that are modernizing priority infrastructure, with a focus on transportation and sustainability. Associates will lead research to help shape the team’s strategy, and over time will design and deliver technical assistance offerings. Projects may range from in-depth technical assistance with a small cohort of government agencies, to creating trainings and templates that can be scaled to hundreds of jurisdictions.
- Procurement Excellence Network: Our virtual community of 800+ jurisdictions focused on transforming their procurement practices continues to grow in scale and impact. Associates on this team will contribute to procurement best practice research, facilitation of monthly skill-building workshops and multi-week virtual sprints, as well as lead efforts to engage and recruit new governments.
- Model Procurement Code: PPG is supporting the revision and adoption of the American Bar Association’s Model Procurement Code (MPC), a comprehensive code that seeks to “create transparent, competitive, and reliable processes” for public procurement. This associate will provide research support to diagnose outdated MPC sections, understand how state and local codes have evolved over the past 25 years, and anticipate barriers to adoption. The Associate will also engage government practitioners and industry representatives in the reform effort.
- Executive Education, Training, and Curriculum Development: Associates on this team will design new simulations, case studies, and interactive exercises to be incorporated into the numerous trainings, executive education programs, and conference presentations we undertake each year. Associates will also coordinate and support the successful virtual and in-person delivery of major executive education and multi-session training programs. They will help to pitch and develop conference proposals.
Key Responsibilities:
Project Design & Implementation- Support project scoping and qualitative/quantitative research through activities such as interviews, surveys, process mapping, and policy reviews.
- Develop realistic and high-impact projects, informed by data and a clear theory of change.
- Design and implement day-to-day project deliverables, such as:
- Work plans
- Streamlined policy and procedure documents
- Research reports or memos
- Engaging training and case study materials
- Effective public-facing communications
- Project impact reports
- Lead day-to-day change management and implementation activities, such as:
- Meetings and workshops with government and nonprofit stakeholders to align on priorities, implement project work, and address challenges as they arise
- Coaching and advisory support to government partners to help diagnose the root causes of challenges, and offer feedback from outside perspectives
- Internal and external project management check-ins and strategy pull-ups
- Support funder reporting and contribute to fundraising efforts.
- Build strong relationships with government leaders and nonprofit partners.
- Represent PPG at conferences and events, presenting insights from project work.
- Contribute to the development of public-facing tools, templates, and publications that share best practices and innovations in public sector operational excellence.
- Provide input to internal operational improvement initiatives.
- Support efforts to expand and refine PPG’s offerings and impact.
Qualifications:
We’re looking for candidates who are:- Analytic solution-builders. You can break down complex problems. You develop actionable, clear, creative, and high-impact solutions.
- Project managers at heart. You are a self-starter who can juggle multiple priorities, stay organized, and keep projects on track in a remote environment. You have a bias to action and take pride in being an implementer.
- Strong communicators. You excel in verbal, written, and visual communication. You make technical or complex concepts accessible and engaging for a range of audiences.
- Change catalysts. You recognize that true change requires culture shifts, capacity-building, and empowerment—in addition to better processes. You build trust and momentum, bringing stakeholders along with you while moving with urgency.
- Adaptable. You thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment where every project is unique and we often have to dive in and learn quickly.
- Collaborative. You care for your colleagues and are quick to pitch in when someone needs help. You are comfortable giving and receiving direct feedback.
- Mission-aligned. You are motivated by the opportunity to help state and local governments harness core operational functions so that every resident has a government they can count on, every day.
- Bachelor's degree required; graduate degree or equivalent experienced preferred.
- At least 3 years of related work experience. While direct experience with public procurement is not required, experience directly related to the role you are applying for will be preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and comfort with other technology tools.
- Willingness and ability to travel as needed.
Additional Information:
Compensation: The salary for this role is $100,000 plus benefits. PPG offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support the well-being of our team members and their families. Benefits include healthcare coverage with an employer contribution, paid time off, employer matched retirement plan, and parental leave.Physical Demands: This position requires sitting, talking, listening, reading, and writing for up to 8 hours per day. Certain situations may require lifting items up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job duties.
Start date: The desired start date for this role is June or July 2025. These roles and initiatives are funded through February 2027, with the possibility of extension.
Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity
Partners for Public Good is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Partners for Public Good is committed to the inclusion of all qualified individuals in the hiring process, including but not limited to those with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the application or interview process, please contact [email protected].
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