Program Manager

Overview: Reporting to the Director of Program, the Program Manager is a core component of the Year Up United program. The position leads and manages a Learning Community of approximately 40-60 young adults and professional skills coaches, ensuring a high‑quality service as learners prepare for corporate internships and careers in Year Up‑related fields. The Program Manager bridges instruction and real‑world performance, supports Year Up United’s applied learning model, and ensures learners demonstrate workplace‑ready behaviors. Key success metrics include 85% retention during Learning and Development, no more than 10% attrition during internships, high student satisfaction, and 75% full‑time Year Up job outcomes 4 months after graduation. Key Responsibilities Team Leadership Train, lead, support, and coach a core team of approximately 10 coaches on Year Up United’s Program model, facilitation, the student contract, and professional skills coaching. Run weekly meetings with Learning Community staff and participate in staff trainings. Coordinate efforts and schedules while maintaining a positive group dynamic among staff and students. Work collaboratively with other Year Up United functions to align support for students across departments. On‑site Support The Program Manager supports and executes operational tasks to ensure seamless on‑site activity. Drive Student Success Serve as a role model, reflecting and maintaining Year Up United culture and values. Manage, uphold, and track student contracts consistently to ensure timely and accurate payment. Coordinate intern performance management with the Placement Success team. Oversee student performance to ensure a seamless transition from learning to internship. Collaborate with Student Services, Academic staff, Internship Services, Placement Success, and other Learning Community members to respond to student needs. Develop and manage individualized student performance/professional development plans. Build and manage relationships with critical college faculty to align student performance and academic excellence, ensuring the needs of both parties are met. Learning Facilitator Facilitate applied learning experiences that help learners practice durable skills such as self‑management, collaboration, adaptability, judgment, and professional communication. Frame applied learning activities to connect skill practice to workplace expectations and career pathways. Observe and assess learner behaviors using established behavioral indicators. Coach learners to reflect on transferable skills and articulate how applied learning connects to internship performance. Partner closely with instructional staff and other facilitators to ensure alignment of activities, indicators, and readiness assessments. Model workplace norms and professional behaviors, reinforcing expectations with consistent feedback and accountability. Support a gradual release of responsibility, encouraging increased learner ownership and self‑directed problem‑solving. Learning Community Management Manage day‑to‑day and annual operations of the Learning Community, including calendar, staff assignments, and accountabilities. Ensure all activities are planned, organized, and executed with high quality. Plan and run new student orientation in collaboration with the Admissions team. Develop and maintain healthy relationships with other functional areas critical to student success. Represent the Program Manager perspective when working with various functional areas such as Enrollment, Placement Success, and Corporate Engagement. Identify students and interns for events; track student involvement with on‑site guests and prepare them for donor/outreach meetings and graduation. Collaborate with Development to steward mentor relationships. Analyze learning community‑related data and report trends (e.g., contract, student performance). Learning Community Member Serve as a coach for a small number of students. Participate in and sometimes facilitate weekly group sessions with students. Participate in staff meetings and trainings. Qualifications Previous work in student affairs, first‑year orientation, college guidance counseling, residence life, multiculturalism/diversity, or related higher education roles. Extensive work with Year Up United’s target population in high‑stakes environments with clear performance outcome measures. Demonstrated ability to lead teams and administer multiple projects and tasks simultaneously, prioritizing and delegating as needed. Interest in working in a fast‑paced, dynamic, complex start‑up and/or entrepreneurial environment. Coaching ability and comfort with one‑on‑one coaching conversations. Vision, prudence, and purpose for collaborative/servant leadership. Proven ability to make proactive decisions in emotionally charged situations and willingness to take risks. Ability to build strong professional relationships across the organization. Sound judgment, maturity, and discretion with sensitive and confidential information. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong background in facilitation of small and large groups. Passion for working with urban young adults and strong commitment to Year Up United’s mission. Commitment to diversity and inclusion. Understanding of the Opportunity Divide and its drivers. Compensation & Benefits Salary range: $68,000 – $80,000 ($68,000 - $80,000). Salary offers take into account skills, experience, and location. Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare and dental coverage; 401(k) match for eligible participants. Vacation: Earn three weeks paid vacation in the first year; four weeks after the initial year. Working At Year Up United Starting January 5, 2026, employees are expected to work on‑site at least two days per week (Monday‑Thursday, dependent on job requirements). To be eligible, candidates must live and work in a state (or an approved proximate state) where Year Up United operates. Eligible states include Connecticut, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Virginia. For a list of eligible locations, please visit: Organization Description Year Up United is a national 501(c)(3) workforce development organization committed to ensuring equitable access to economic opportunity, education, and justice for all young adults. Year Up United’s intensive training program utilizes a high‑expectations, high‑support model where students learn in‑demand technical and professional skills and apply them during a corporate internship. Year Up United has served more than 40,000 young adults since 2000 and operates nationwide across multiple regions. Commitment to Diversity Year Up United embraces diversity and equal opportunity. All employment decisions are based on merit. The organization prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristic. Year Up United also provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Contact the hiring team if you need an accommodation during the interview process. To Apply Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume through the Year Up United website. #J-18808-Ljbffr Year Up United