Principal Program Manager - AI Coalition

About the Role

Blackbaud is igniting a global movement to accelerate responsible and transformative AI adoption across the social impact sector. To scale this leadership, we are seeking a visionary Principal Program Specialist for the Strategic AI Coalition for Social Impact - a high‑visibility role driving one of the company’s most strategic industry initiatives.

This program lead will expand the coalition’s reach, increase both the volume and diversity of participating organizations, and spearhead initiatives designed to remove the barriers to successful AI adoption across the social impact sector. The work begins with launching and scaling the AI Certification for Social Impact, establishing the foundational knowledge and confidence organizations need to adopt AI responsibly. Over time, this role will architect a growing roadmap of initiatives, including standards, playbooks, cross‑sector pilots, Blackbaud Institute efforts, and collaborative learning programs that unify the sector, accelerate AI readiness, and position Blackbaud as the trusted convener for responsible, transformative innovation.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead, operationalize, and scale the AI Coalition for Social Impact, ensuring it becomes the premier collaborative body for AI adoption.

• Build and execute a growth strategy to significantly increase coalition membership by volume, type, and diversity of organizations.

• Develop and manage a multi‑year portfolio of coalition initiatives, starting with the AI Certification for Social Impact and expanding into emerging needs (e.g., sector benchmarks, working groups, toolkits, joint research, pilots, and advocacy).

• Serve as the primary relationship leader for coalition members, ensuring high engagement, clear communication, and measurable value.

• Cultivate partnerships with industry groups, academic institutions, technology collaborators, funders, and government organizations to expand reach and impact.

• Facilitate advisory groups and working committees that guide program direction and content.

• Design and facilitate coalition programming, including convenings, webinars, workshops, pilots, roundtables, and executive briefings.

• Build and maintain operational frameworks, governance structures, onboarding processes, and resource hubs for coalition members.

• Set and monitor KPIs related to membership growth, engagement, program adoption, and sector impact.

• Partner with Blackbaud’s Data & AI, Product, Marketing, Industry, and Blackbaud Institute teams to produce influential content including co‑developing playbooks, research insights, case studies, best‑practice frameworks, and sector benchmarks that equip organizations to adopt AI responsibly and effectively.

• Represent the coalition externally through high‑impact speaking engagements, conferences, webinars, and media opportunities—amplifying both coalition work and Blackbaud Institute research to shape the sector’s understanding of responsible AI and the future of social impact innovation.

• Collaborate with Product, Marketing, Customer Success, Legal, and L&D to ensure coalition initiatives align with Blackbaud’s Responsible AI strategy, customer needs, and go‑to‑market motion.

• Support the scaling and adoption of the AI Certification for Social Impact across the industry and inside Blackbaud.

What we'll expect you to have:

• 10+ years in program management, industry leadership, coalition building, partnership development, or related roles.

• Experience working in technology, nonprofit/social impact, education, philanthropy, or public sector strongly preferred.

• Proven success scaling programs, communities, or initiatives across multiple stakeholder types.

• Demonstrated excellence in relationship management, communication, and strategic influence.

• Familiarity with AI, Responsible AI, digital transformation, or data literacy programs is a plus (expert-level not required).

• Strong organizational and operational skills with a bias toward execution and measurable outcomes.

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Blackbaud is a remote-first company which embraces a flexible remote work culture.  Blackbaud supports hiring and career development for all roles from the location you are in today!

Blackbaud is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.

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The starting base pay is $117,200.00 to $157,500.00. Blackbaud may pay more or less based on employee qualifications, market value, Company finances, and other operational considerations.

Benefits Include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Remote-first workforce

• 401(k) program with employer match

• Flexible paid time off

• Generous Parental Leave

• Volunteer for vacation

• Opportunities to connect to build community and belonging

• Pet insurance, legal and identity protection

• Tuition reimbursement program