Nonprofit Program Manager is the heartbeat of mission-driven organizations turning vision into action while juggling budgets, stakeholders, and impact metrics like a pro. With India’s nonprofit sector growing at 12% annually and over 3.2 million registered NGOs (NGO Darpan, 2025), the demand for skilled program managers is soaring.
Whether you’re hiring for a rural education initiative in Bihar or a women’s empowerment project in Mumbai, a clear nonprofit program manager job description is your first step to attracting talent who can deliver real change.
This blog provides a ready-to-use nonprofit program manager job description template, breaks down core roles and duties, and highlights essential qualifications. With practical examples, salary insights, and a touch of humor (because saving the world shouldn’t be all spreadsheets and stress), this is your 2025 playbook for building a high-impact team. Let’s craft a JD that inspires the next changemaker!
What Is a Nonprofit Program Manager?
A Nonprofit Program Manager (sometimes called Project Manager or Program Coordinator) is responsible for planning, executing, and evaluating programs that advance the organization’s mission. They’re the bridge between big-picture goals (e.g., educating 10,000 girls) and day-to-day realities (e.g., securing school supplies on a tight budget). In India, where 70% of nonprofits operate on grants and donations (CAF India, 2024), program managers are masters of doing more with less.
- Key Features:
- Mission-driven, impact-focused.
- Works with diverse stakeholders: donors, communities, government, volunteers.
- Balances passion with pragmatism.
- Example: A Program Manager at a Delhi-based NGO scaled a nutrition program from 500 to 5,000 children in two years (CRY India case study).
- Stat: 65% of Indian nonprofits cite strong program management as their top success factor (GuideStar India, 2025).
Fun Fact: Program Managers are like Bollywood directors — turning limited resources into blockbuster impact!
Nonprofit Program Manager Job Description Template
Copy-paste this ready-to-use template and customize for your organization.
Job Title: Program Manager
Organization: [Your Nonprofit Name]
Location: [City/State] or Remote/Hybrid
Reports To: Program Director / Executive Director
Job Type: Full-Time
About Us
[Brief 2-3 sentences about your mission, impact, and values — e.g., “We empower rural women through education and livelihood programs across 10 states, reaching 50,000 beneficiaries annually.”]
Job Summary
We are seeking a passionate and organized Program Manager to lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of our [specific program, e.g., education/health/livelihood] initiatives. The ideal candidate will combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution to drive measurable social impact while managing budgets, teams, and partnerships.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute program strategies aligned with organizational goals.
- Manage end-to-end program lifecycle: planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
- Build and maintain relationships with donors, government bodies, community leaders, and partners.
- Supervise program staff and volunteers, providing mentorship and performance feedback.
- Design monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks to track outcomes and impact.
- Prepare high-quality reports and proposals for donors and stakeholders.
- Ensure compliance with legal, financial, and ethical standards (e.g., FCRA, CSR guidelines).
- Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.
- Represent the organization at events, workshops, and networks.
- Lead fundraising efforts for program sustainability when required.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Social Work, Development Studies, Management, or related field.
- 3-7 years of experience in program management within the nonprofit/NGO sector.
- Proven track record of managing donor-funded projects (e.g., CSR, government grants).
- Strong project management skills (PMP or equivalent certification is a plus).
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and report-writing abilities.
- Proficiency in MS Office, Google Workspace, and M&E tools (e.g., KoboToolbox, Tableau).
- Fluency in English and [local language, e.g., Hindi/Tamil].
- Passion for social impact and alignment with our mission.
- Willingness to travel to field locations (30-50% travel).
Preferred Skills
- Experience with logical framework approach (LFA) and theory of change.
- Knowledge of FCRA, CSR compliance, and 12A/80G regulations.
- Familiarity with digital tools for remote program management.
Salary & Benefits
- ₹6–15 LPA (depending on experience and location).
- Health insurance, travel allowance, professional development budget, and flexible work options.
How to Apply
Send your resume and cover letter to [email] with subject “Application: Program Manager – [Your Name]” by [deadline].
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Here’s a deeper look at typical nonprofit program manager duties:
- Program Design & Planning
- Create detailed project plans, budgets, and timelines.
- Use frameworks like Logical Framework Approach (LFA).
- Implementation & Coordination
- Oversee field activities, partner coordination, and team management.
- Example: A 2025 Rajasthan NGO manager coordinated 200 village-level health camps.
- Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)
- Track KPIs, conduct baseline/endline surveys, and measure impact.
- Stat: 80% of successful NGOs have strong MEL systems (AccountAid, 2025).
- Donor Reporting & Fundraising
- Write compelling progress reports and grant proposals.
- Example: A Delhi manager’s report secured ₹5 crore renewal from a corporate donor.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Liaise with government (e.g., district officials), corporates, and communities.
- Build trust for sustainable partnerships.
Fun Fact: A great program manager can stretch ₹1 lakh like it’s ₹10 lakh — pure desi jugaad!
Essential Skills and Qualifications
Top nonprofits seek candidates with a blend of hard and soft skills:
| Category | Must-Have Skills | Nice-to-Have Skills |
| Technical | Project management, budgeting, M&E frameworks | Data analysis (Excel, Tableau), GIS |
| Soft | Communication, empathy, leadership | Negotiation, storytelling |
| Compliance | FCRA, 80G, CSR laws | Grant writing, logical framework (LFA) |
| Tools | MS Office, Google Workspace, Canva | CRM (Salesforce), survey tools (Kobo) |
Education: Bachelor’s mandatory; Master’s in Social Work, Rural Management (IRMA/XIMB), or Development preferred.
Experience: 3–7 years in program implementation; field exposure is gold.
Salary Guide for Nonprofit Program Managers in India (2025)
| Experience Level | Metro Cities (₹ LPA) | Tier 2/3 Cities (₹ LPA) | International NGOs (₹ LPA) |
| Entry (0–3 yrs) | 4–8 | 3–6 | 8–12 |
| Mid-Level (3–7 yrs) | 8–15 | 6–12 | 15–25 |
| Senior (7+ yrs) | 15–25+ | 12–18 | 25–40+ |
Perks: Health insurance, travel allowance, training budgets, and flexible hours are common.
Stat: Salaries rose 15% in 2024 due to CSR funding boom (GuideStar India).
How to Become a Nonprofit Program Manager
- Education: Degree in social sciences or management.
- Gain Experience: Start as field coordinator or volunteer.
- Certifications: PMP, Logical Framework Approach, or M&E courses.
- Network: Attend NGO Darpan events or CSR conclaves.
- Build Portfolio: Document impact stories and reports.
Real Example: A 2025 Mumbai hire went from volunteer to Program Manager in 4 years by mastering donor reporting.
Wrapping It Up
A strong nonprofit program manager job description attracts passionate leaders who turn vision into impact. From managing rural education drives to scaling women’s empowerment initiatives, these roles are the engine of change in India’s vibrant nonprofit sector. Use our ready-to-customize template, align duties with your mission, and watch your programs soar.
Ready to hire your next changemaker? Download the PDF template, tweak for your cause, and post it today. Got tips for crafting the perfect JD or a nonprofit success story? Drop it in the comments — let’s inspire the next generation of impact leaders! Here’s to building a better India, one program at a time.