Careers at Upward Scholars

+ Program Manager

Title: Programs Manager

Reports to: Programs Director

Supervises: AmeriCorps VISTA

Type: Full-Time temporary 6-month with the opportunity to extend to permanent

Category: Exempt

About Upward Scholars

Education and community belonging are the shortest paths to integration for immigrants coming to the U.S. as adults, and they are crucial to their economic advancement. Upward Scholars supports students' access to higher education and full integration into U.S. society by helping them overcome financial, academic, career development, and holistic barriers to achieving their educational, professional, and leadership development goals and increasing their economic mobility and opportunities for civic engagement.

Job Summary

All staff create and support a high-performing work culture that centers on people directly impacted by Upward Scholars’ work and is characterized by equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. The ideal candidate will be highly proactive, creative, and all-in.

The Program Manager will administer all academic and financial programs and services to support the Programs Director in reaching Upward Scholars’ goals and accomplishing our mission.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Manages and supervises the programs and staff who report directly to this position.

• Helps recruit and hire program staff and conducts performance evaluations.

• Coordinates training programs for new staff and identifies training needs for current staff.

• Helps recruit, train, and manage volunteers across assigned program areas.

Responsibilities

• Respond to student inquiries and assess their goals, needs, and achievements to determine which programs, services, and courses will enable them to earn a sustainable wage, move up the economic ladder, inspire multi-generational change, and break the cycle of poverty.

• Manage two or more program pillars (e.g., financial support, academic support) and administer program implementation, including program evaluation.

• Directs the execution of new and existing programs, specifically the Tutoring/Mentoring Program and English Conversation Club, and convenes the Tutor/Mentor Council.

• Advocates for our students to ensure they are considered for opportunities that utilize their skills and strengths.

• Facilitates communication between students and community members.

• Plans, coordinates, and participates in events for students, donors, and the community with the team.

• Performs a variety of skilled administrative and clerical duties directly related to program activities; these include email communications with students and partners, assisting and participating in special events, developing effective working relationships with the team, partners, volunteers, government agencies, other community-based organization (CBO) representatives, and others to nurture their connection to the organization.

• Provides content ideas for eNews (e.g., newsletters, social media channels), the website, and presentations to support program awareness, student recruitment and retention, and fundraising.

• Performs other related duties as necessary or assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Experience networking—developing and sustaining relationships and partnerships.

• Excellent program, staff, and event management skills.

• Quick learner and creative problem solver.

• Excellent written and verbal presentation and communication skills.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.

• Experience using Microsoft Office/Google Suite or similar software and Mac hardware knowledgeable.

• Sensitivity to the challenges faced by under-served populations.

• Experience working collaboratively and successfully with people and organizations from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, ideological positions, and religious views.

• Bilingual in English and at least one other language spoken by a majority of program participants, e.g., Spanish.

• Work under general supervision, exercising significant independent judgment.

• Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of job-related experience.

Additional Requirements

• Must be authorized to work in the United States of America.

• This is currently designed as a hybrid role. Must work at least three weekdays from the office location, currently in Redwood City, CA, and two days remote.

• Must be willing to flex schedule to support students when they’re available; this may involve evening and occasional weekend work.

• Passion for education and Upward Scholars’ mission.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Access to reliable transportation to program and partner sites via a personal vehicle with a valid CA driver’s license, public transit, or other means.

• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time, temporary 6-month position with the opportunity to extend into a permanent role. The salary is commensurate with experience and within the $65K-$88K range. This job requires onsite/community-based work. This position has excellent health, dental, and vision benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. Candidates from beyond the San Francisco Bay Area are encouraged to apply, but funds are unavailable for relocation or housing assistance.

To Apply

The position is available immediately. Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume to careers@upwardscholars.org.

Please note: This position has been designated “sensitive” and requires a pre-employment background check. 

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact careers@upwardscholars.org if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include changing the application process, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. 

Failure to provide the information as required on the application or instructions to apply shall immediately disqualify an applicant from employment consideration. 

What to Expect

Applicants who meet the position requirements will be evaluated to identify individuals whose qualifications, depth of experience, and education most closely relate to the stated job requirements. Only qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. 

The position is open until filled.

The skills listed above are comprehensive but not all-inclusive. We understand candidates may possess a subset of the skills listed or closely related job skill experience and requirements. If a candidate's experience and skills match a substantial subsection of the position requirements, they are encouraged to apply. 

Upward Scholars is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Upward Scholars strives to provide a diverse and inclusive environment that fosters cultural awareness, mutual understanding, and respect. Upward Scholars is interested in candidates who will contribute to the diversity and equal opportunity in the nonprofit sector through their work. Qualified women and members of underrepresented minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.