WE KAN PROGRAM MANAGER
Status: Full-Time | Remote | Start Date: January 2026
Salary with Benefit Stipend: $50-60,000 dependent on experience
Reports to: Executive Director
About the Role: Are you passionate about the future of rural communities and drive to help them be sustainable and thrive? As the We Kan Program Manager at the Kansas Sampler Foundation, you’ll help finish a bold statewide research and storytelling effort and lead the next chapter of our We Kan movement to connect and equip community builders across Kansas. You’ll help small towns feel less alone by creating opportunities for connection, peer support, and shared learning while amplifying what works. This role is perfect for someone who believes rural people are the best hope for rural places and who’s ready to help them lead with confidence, creativity, and care.
Core Responsibilities:
- Serve as a navigator for rural communities, helping local leaders identify resources, connect with peers, and find their next right step toward revitalization
- Manage remaining implementation of our Road Trip Research deliverables
- Extensive in-state travel, up to 50% in the first two years
- Analyze and report out findings from community visits to create tools and content
- Build and grow a centralized platform for rural doers and leaders
- Coordinate digital content, tools, and community engagement
- Launch and support peer-led learning opportunities and mini-events
- Write and deploy We Kan Tidbits, our monthly statewide email; lead design work for conference packets and social media
- Develop and implement a plan of action for the future of PowerUp work, including convenings and programming
- Assist with event planning and promotion (Do-alogues, conferences, brainstorms)
- Collaborate with teammates on rural sustainability projects, outreach, communications and resource sharing
Ideal Candidate
- Located in Central Kansas
- Passionate about Kansas and elevating rural stories and experiences
- Strong creative writing, graphic design, public speaking, and project management skills
- Comfort with digital platforms and community engagement tools
- Experience with rural community development, peer learning, and leadership training
- Self-starter comfortable working as part of a remote team in a fast-paced environment
- Creative, warm, curious, and committed to fostering hope and connection
How to Apply: Email cover letter and resume to simone.elder@kansassampler.org by November 30.