Fellowship Manager

Job Description

Job Description

About Dog Tag

Dog Tag is a nonprofit social enterprise that combines our one-of-a-kind Fellowship program, which serves veterans with service-connected disabilities, military spouses, and caregivers nationwide, with a high-quality bakery. At the bakery, our community can express support for our mission through a cup of coffee and a variety of baked products, sandwiches, and beverages. Based in Washington, DC’s Georgetown neighborhood, Dog Tag provides an innovative, hands-on business education program that equips Fellows with the skills to launch their own businesses, transition to meaningful careers in the civilian workforce, or continue their educational priorities.

The bakery is where delicious treats and meaningful service meet. Every item we create reflects our dedication to supporting those who have served our country, and every sale enables us to serve more Fellows and alumni. The ability to engage with us in our cafe, as well as through local catering and gift boxes shipped nationwide, extends the reach of our mission to every service member family seeking renewed purpose, identity, and commitment.

Why Dog Tag?

Our values of service, entrepreneurship, empowerment, and respect guide everything we do — from how we interact with our team to how we engage with our customers. As part of our growing team, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to a high-impact mission that extends beyond a storefront. You’ll help empower our Fellows and alumni and make an impact every day.

Working at Dog Tag is more than a job; everyone on staff takes part in the Fellowship Program, plays a role in telling the story of Dog Tag's impact to customers, partners, donors, and neighbors, and becomes an advocate for the mission. 

Dog Tag is a workplace for those who want to invest in themselves and others. We value dedication and high-quality outcomes for all staff members because every individual contributes to the success of our entire community. 

Role Description

The Fellowship Manager executes the planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of Dog Tag’s five-month Fellowship Program. This role serves as a champion for fellow success: ensuring a high-quality learning experience that supports each fellow’s personal and professional growth. The ideal candidate combines strong project management and program coordination skills with human development expertise, including coaching, facilitation, and conflict resolution. The Fellowship Manager serves as a trusted guide to fellows, a collaborator across teams, and a steward of Dog Tag’s mission to empower veterans, military spouses, and caregivers to find purpose and community through entrepreneurship and education.  The work location is hybrid; however, this position requires residency in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Northern Virginia (DMV) area to support regular in-person programming and events.

Fellow Success & Experience

• Champion fellow success as the primary point of contact for fellows throughout the program, providing individualized coaching and support.
• Create and sustain a positive learning environment grounded in reflection, accountability, and community-building.
• Facilitate daily programming, including community building, wellness sessions, journaling, and weekly reflection.
• Monitor progress toward program completion and hold fellows accountable for deliverables and participation.
• Collaborate with the Alumni & Impact Manager to connect fellows with alumni resources and networks.
• Maintain a network of partner resources to support fellow needs (e.g., education, employment, entrepreneurship, and wellness).

Program Management & O perations

• Design, coordinate, and manage the fellowship schedule, ensuring alignment with curriculum goals (Georgetown University classes, bakery rotations, learning labs, wellness, and capstone).
• Partner with the Program Coordinator to manage logistics, communications, and stakeholder coordination.
• Plan and facilitate core programming weeks, including orientation, closing week, graduation week, and in-person weeks.
• Track program engagement, fellow progress, partner participation, and recruitment pipelines in Salesforce.
• Ensure smooth daily operations—virtual and in-person—including setup, materials, supplies, and communication with staff and partners.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure all program-related needs (e.g., IT, facilities, bakery operations) are met.
• Support the development and maintenance of program manuals, templates, and process documentation.

Program Evaluation & Partner Engagement

• Manage data collection for each cohort (onboarding, phase, and offboarding surveys).
• Support analysis of program outcomes and propose continuous improvement strategies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with program partners (e.g., Georgetown faculty, guest instructors, and facilitators).
• Collaborate with the Director to identify and onboard new partners that enhance the fellow experience.

Recruitment & Admissions

• Coordinate bi-annual recruitment and admissions cycles in collaboration with the Director of Programs & Community Impact and Program Coordinator.
• Conduct outreach to referral partners and prospective applicants to ensure a strong applicant pipeline.
• Manage the application process in Salesforce, ensuring timely and accurate communication with candidates.
• Participate in candidate interviews and recommend top candidates for admission.

Other Duties

• Represent Dog Tag at recruitment and community events.
• Participate in select evening or weekend program activities as scheduled.
• Track program expenditures, in-kind donations, and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Contribute to organizational projects, events, and cross-departmental initiatives as assigned.
• Actively participate in meetings, organizational initiatives, and training opportunities.

Required

• Minimum of 5-7 years of professional experience in human development, social work, education, workforce development, or related field.
• Graduate education may substitute for up to 2 years of experience.
• Demonstrated experience in program management, event planning, or recruitment.
• Strong facilitation, coaching, and communication skills with diverse adult learners.
• Experience in group learning and program design.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Self-starter, able to work independently and serve as a leader on the team.
• Comfort working with individuals who have experienced trauma, transition, or identity shifts (e.g., veterans and caregivers).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with CRM tools (Salesforce preferred).
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to evolving program needs and organizational priorities.
• Strong critical thinker and proactive problem-solver.
• Mission-driven with a genuine commitment to Dog Tag’s social impact model.
• Must live within commuting distance of Washington, D.C. (DMV area) and be available for regular on-site programming and events.

• Knowledge of adult learning principles and trauma-informed practices.
• Experience with data tracking and program evaluation.
• Background or interest in veterans’ services, workforce development, or social enterprise.
• Ability to balance empathy with accountability and maintain confidentiality with discretion.

Key Performance Indicators

• Successful delivery of fellowship cohorts: all seats filled, curriculum delivered to plan, and 90%+ graduation rates.
• Successful facilitation and coaching at the group and individual level to ensure desired outcomes are measured and achieved.
• Successful delivery of a recruitment cycle that results in enough candidates to fill all seats and create a short waitlist.
• Meet/exceed program goals and ensure alignment with the organization's strategic goals.
• Meet/exceed timelines and expectations for fellowship program data collection.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting for grants.
• Develop and refine activities for fellows and other individuals involved in the program.

Work Hours, Compensation & Benefits

• This is a full-time, hybrid position based in Washington, DC.
• Starting salary: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 annually (based on experience).
• Paid leave, including vacation and sick leave and holidays.
• Paid end-of-year closing: in celebration of the incredible work done across all departments during the year, Dog Tag closes between Christmas and New Year.
• Medical (health, dental, and vision) insurance, life & accident insurance, and Employee Assistance Program.
• Voluntary benefits include flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care, transportation), short-term and long-term disability insurance, and retirement plans.
• Free shift drinks and food discounts.
• Opportunities for training and career growth.