Mercy Ships Experience Program Manager
Summary:  
Description:  

Who We Are

Mercy Ships is a global faith-based charity that uses hospital ships to bring life-changing surgeries and transformational medical training to people in some of the most challenging contexts along the African coast. For over 40 years, Mercy Ships has been delivering lasting hope and healing through safe surgical care, while working alongside partners and stakeholders to strengthen local healthcare systems in more than 55 countries. Since the inception of this dream by founders Don and Deyon Stephens in 1978, Mercy Ships has served more than 2.7 million direct beneficiaries without regard for race, gender, or religion.

The Opportunity

Do you have a heart for the hurting and a desire to invest your talents and experiences into a mission with eternal significance? For every transformative surgery that takes place onboard one of our Mercy Ships, there are dozens of men and women being used of the Lord to prepare through their vocational gifts and talents! 

**Compensation range for this position is $$60,562k.

 Summary Description

The Mercy Ships Experience Program Manager organizes and facilitates transformative experiences through vision trips for individuals and groups visiting our hospital ships to witness firsthand the impact of our medical mission to enhance brand awareness and promote fundraising efforts. The Program Manager oversees all aspects of the vision trip process, including assessment, evaluation, and process improvements in close coordination with key stakeholders. They also work closely with Mercy Ships' international media relations and communications teams to schedule media visits to the ships.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities (Include But Not Limited To)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Program Development and Strategy:

  •  Develop and maintain a strategic vision for the vision trip program aligned with Mercy Ships' mission and goals.
  • Implement innovative ideas and initiatives to enhance the overall impact and effectiveness of vision trips.
  • Regularly assess and evaluate the impact and outcomes of vision trips and remain dedicated to process improvement efforts.

Planning and Logistics:

  • Collaborate with internal teams to organize vision trips for individuals, donors, and groups on all aspects of trip logistics.
  • Work closely with Mercy Ships' key process stakeholders on coordinated scheduling of both vision trips and media visits.
  • Evaluate the viability and estimated ROI, ensuring vision trip requests meet the defined criteria.
  • Partner with the medical review team and travel team to ensure proper documentation is collected from visitors before travel.
  • Lead the project management of needed deliverables including assets, communications tools, or process development.

Stakeholder Engagement:

  • Collaborate with various internal departments, including marketing, communications, and logistics, to ensure seamless coordination of vision trips.
  • Foster strong communication and collaboration across departments to enhance the overall participant experience.
  • Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including Mercy Ships staff and crew, donors, and corporate partners, to support the vision trip program.

Promotion and Communications Collateral:

  • Work closely with the Global Brand and onboard Communication teams to promote vision trips through various channels, including internal communications, and information collateral such as guest brochures, newsletters, videos, and website content.
  • Maintain current knowledge of Mercy Ships policies and procedures regarding overnight guests, and the staff members who accompany them and ensure all documentation and policies shared with guests are up to date.

Reporting and Documentation:

  • Prepare comprehensive reports on the impact and outcomes of vision trips and media visits for internal and external stakeholders.
  • Maintain accurate records of vision trip and media visit data and feedback for continuous improvement.
  • Maintain up-to-date information about the vision trip process on various channels including the organization's intranet.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, And Requirements)

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate complex information effectively and diplomatically.
  • Possess an enthusiastic and collaborative approach when working with all stakeholders across the organization.
  • Understand and apply servant leadership, work collaboratively with integrity, and demonstrate accountability.
  • Strategic planning and analytical abilities, with problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
  • Strong computer skills required with high proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Strong project management knowledge of software tools such as Asana and Jira.
  • Capacity to learn custom systems and applications including project management platforms.
  • Travel to our ships may be required, no more than once per year for one to two weeks.
  • Must adhere to organizational medical and travel policies.
  • Supportive of Mercy Ships mission and vision, and committed to its core values.

Education And Experience

The requirements listed below are representative of the education and/or experience required.

  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Project Management, or related field.
  • Minimum of 5 years experience in program or project management, preferably in a non-profit or international development setting.
  • Experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, managing competing priorities and deadlines.
  • Demonstrated ability to drive process improvements and implement best practices to optimize project delivery.
  • Experience working with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to achieve project objectives.
  • Successful completion of Mercy Ships Entry Training will be required within the first year.