Contingent Workforce Program Manager Jobs in Hartford, CT

Program Manager, INTEGRITY Initiative

Location: 350 Church Street, 10th Floor, Hartford, CT 06103

Salary Range: $70,000–$85,000 (commensurate with experience)

Are you an impactful, collaborative leader dedicated to breaking down systemic barriers for immigrant and refugee youth? ReadyCT is looking for a mission-driven Program Manager to spearhead our involvement in the INTEGRITY Program (Integrating Networks for the Training, Empowerment, & Growth of Refugee & Immigrant Transitional-Age Youth). Acting as the primary liaison between ReadyCT and Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS), you will drive career-connected learning across all ReadyCT Career Pathways throughout the Hartford school district, turning educational opportunities into direct pathways to economic self-sufficiency.

WHO WE ARE:

ReadyCT is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing academic excellence and career-connected learning for all Connecticut public school students. We design and deliver innovative career readiness programs that intentionally bridge the gap between K-12 education and the employers who will one day welcome graduates into the workforce.

As an affiliate of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA), ReadyCT works closely with business leaders to expand real‑world opportunities for students and strengthen Connecticut’s future workforce.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Program Manager serves as the dedicated Hartford site lead and operational bridge between ReadyCT’s career pathway infrastructure and IRIS's trauma-informed stabilization and case management teams. This role requires a dynamic cross-functional coordinator who can embed specific career readiness instruction, work-based learning, and paid internships across the district’s existing pathways while maintaining rigorous accountability for the project’s multi-year performance metrics.

The Hartford site targets an unduplicated 3-year total of 500 unique refugee and immigrant youth (ages 14–22). The Program Manager will ensure these participants successfully navigate the pipeline from baseline barrier assessment to living-wage employment or postsecondary advancement.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE ROLE:

Do you thrive on building meaningful relationships and guiding young people toward their future success? Are you a strong communicator and project manager, passionate about youth development, and energized by collaboration and problem-solving? If you're adaptable, organized, and passionate about making a difference, this could be the perfect role for you.

We’re looking for a professional who possesses:

• A passion for education and developing the potential of ALL students.
• 4+ years of progressive project or program management experience within workforce development, youth-serving nonprofits, or urban education systems.
• Deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by Multi-Language Learners (MLL), immigrants, and refugee communities (e.g., language barriers, digital literacy gaps, and structural trauma).
• Outstanding relationship-building skills with a track record of collaborating across separate organizations (such as school districts, case managers, and employer partners).
• Strong ability to balance strategic grant milestones with student-facing, day-to-day operational realities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills and a track record of delivering results on time.
• Proven capability to track, analyze, and leverage data systems to monitor participant progress, fulfill grant requirements, and ensure accountability to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, and experience utilizing CRM tools like Salesforce or project trackers like Jira.
• An ability to multitask, while remaining detail-oriented and flexible.
• The capability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Skills in active listening and group facilitation.
• A bachelor’s degree in education, human services, international relations, nonprofit management, or a related field is preferred, but not required.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to travel frequently within the Hartford district, inclusive of magnet locations in East Hartford and Manchester, for school site visits and employer events.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with Salesforce or a related CRM system.
• Experience with Jira and other Atlassian products (preferred).
• Strong ability to balance strategic thinking with day-to-day operational needs.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of this role as described below.

This is a grant-funded position that qualifies for ReadyCT benefits and is renewable contingent upon continued funding.



WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Strategic Liaison & Pathway Integration

• Serve as ReadyCT’s primary operational contact with the IRIS program manager and caseload managers to guarantee seamless communication and wrap-around support alignment for all Hartford participants.
• Coordinate across all existing district ReadyCT Career Pathways to embed high-demand sector exploration (including healthcare, IT, manufacturing, building trades, and public service) into participants' formal education.
• Align curriculum delivery with IRIS-led vocational English and language instruction to appropriately scaffold work-based learning for younger newcomer populations.

Program Delivery & Internship Coordination

• In coordination with ReadyCT colleagues, support the delivery of ReadyCT's Career Connections Curriculum (C3), facilitating career exposure workshops, workplace visits, resume building, and mock interviews.
• Co-lead the multi-step internship eligibility certification process, ensuring participants achieve an 80% completion rate of work readiness milestones before active employer matching.
• Manage employer outreach, screening, hiring pipelines, and compliant payroll processing for student paid internships.

Accountability & Data Management

• Rigorously track and report regional Hartford milestones to hit strict cohort enrollment targets (Year 1: 150; Year 2: 175; Year 3: 175).
• Maintain data integrity across systems to monitor and document key operational outputs, ensuring 80% of participants complete a personalized Education/Career Plan and 75% achieve pathway placement readiness within one year.
• Synthesize qualitative and quantitative metrics into transparent, narrative-driven impact reports for grantors, senior leadership, and the Board of Directors.

Partnership & Cross-Agency Advocacy

• Build and sustain relationships with Hartford-based sector employers and industry advisory boards to expand job shadowing, mentorships, and credentialing opportunities.
• Support IRIS in cultivating trusting, culturally responsive family integration and parent engagement strategies to enhance student retention and program persistence.

This job description is intended to be a comprehensive overview of the Program Manager role. All ReadyCT team members are charged with other duties as may be required.



WHY JOIN READYCT:

ReadyCT offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, generous paid time off, and meaningful opportunities for professional growth. Most importantly, you’ll have the chance to make a lasting impact on students and communities across Connecticut.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences who share our commitment to equity and to expanding career-connected learning opportunities for every student.

readyCT.org

ReadyCT is an equal opportunity employer.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Due to the nature of school-based delivery, these roles require significant physical mobility and stamina. Team members must be capable of frequently traversing large school campuses, which often includes navigating stairs, ramps, and uneven outdoor walkways between buildings. The role requires the ability to stand and move for 3 to 6 hours at a time while facilitating student programming or overseeing events. Nearly all functions must be performed in person.
• Essential functions include the physical ability to lift, transport, and set up program materials weighing up to 30 lbs (such as bins of supplies, portable banners, or technology kits). Team members must be able to work in diverse school environments, which may include high-density hallways, noisy cafeterias, and gymnasiums with varying light and sound levels. This position also requires the ability to stoop, kneel, or crouch to interact with students during activities.
• Consistent travel to multiple locations is required; therefore, team members must be able to operate a motor vehicle and manage the physical demands of loading and unloading materials in varying weather conditions.