Job Description

Job Title: Program Manager

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Salary: $70,000 annually + comprehensive benefits

Location: Los Angeles, CA

About the Role

Are you a visionary who brings programs to life and drives measurable impact? We are seeking a Program Manager to lead the development and implementation of holistic, youth-centered programming at a growing nonprofit. This role is ideal for a builder —someone who can turn vision into action and outcomes, all while cultivating a culture of belonging and trust for foster youth.

Key Responsibilities

Program Management & Design

• Design and lead weekly and seasonal programming (e.g., after school programs, summer programs, academic support, arts enrichment, life skills workshops).
• Develop and maintain a program calendar including youth events, field trips, service projects, and family engagement nights.
• Develop, implement and achieve recruitment/enrollment goals.
• Ensure readiness for all programming: materials, meals/snacks, transportation, permissions, and compliance with child welfare and safety regulations.
• Track enrollment, manage rosters, and maintain all required documentation and consents. (e.g., intake forms, parental consents, education records).

Program Development

• Partner with the Executive Director to pilot and scale initiatives.
• Gather and incorporate input from youth and caregivers into program design.
• Contribute to long-term strategic growth, including site expansion.

Supervision & Engagement

• Supervise day-to-day operations of onsite, school-based, and community programs.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with youth, caregivers, case workers, and school partners.
• Respond to behavioral/emotional needs using trauma-informed, restorative practices.
• Lead staff recruitment, onboarding, supervision, and professional development.
• Ensure program spaces are safe, welcoming, and well-stocked with supplies.
• Coordinate daily transportation with transportation providers.
• Hire, train, supervise, and support program staff, teaching artists, and contractors. Conduct performance reviews to build a culture of professional growth.
• Maintain client records and case notes to document growth and needs.

Outreach & Partnerships

• Build and strengthen partnerships with schools, group homes, foster family agencies, and community orgs.
• Collaborate with LAUSD, DCFS, and others for referrals and coordinated support.
• Represent the organization at key events, roundtables, and coalition meetings.
• Recruit, onboard, and manage volunteers, including local student volunteers.

Marketing & Evaluation

• Create and keep current program communications via social media and other outreach channels.
• Implement tools to track youth progress and program effectiveness (Apricot, CRM)
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in related discipline
• 3-5 years leadership experience in youth development, social work, education, or related field
• Social Media Management and Content Creation skills
• Grant writing experience preferred
• Experience working with foster youth or system-involved youth highly preferred.
• Some Spanish language proficiency would be helpful
• Ability to design and manage enriching programs
• Skilled in trauma-informed and strengths-based practices
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Comfortable using data systems and tracking outcomes
• Available for occasional evenings, weekends, and community events

Benefits

• $70,000 annual salary
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development support
• A deeply mission-driven, collaborative work environment
• An organization primed for significant growth

To Apply

Please submit your resume and a letter letting us know why you are interested in and qualified for this job at this time. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The Academy Project is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience in foster care, individuals from historically underrepresented communities, and those passionate about

educational equity and youth empowerment.

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