Freelance Program Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

THE OPPORTUNITY
Reel Works is hiring a Career Success Program Manager to contribute to the design, development, and management of the MediaMKRS career success program.
Reports To: Senior Program Manager, Career Success
Compensation: Full-time 40 hours per week; $65k - $72k + Benefits
Benefits: PTO, Medical, Dental, Vision & 401K Match
Location: This position requires candidates to be based in the New York City metropolitan area and work in a hybrid environment, with three (3) days per week in office. The physical office is located in Brooklyn, NY.
Application Deadline: Aug 28, 2026
Estimated Start Date: Oct 5, 2026
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Change the storytellers, change the world! At Reel Works, we believe talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Reel Works was founded in 2001 to encourage young people to share their stories through filmmaking. Our work has since expanded to help build a more inclusive media industry and provide emerging talent with the mentorship, skills, and professional networks needed to succeed. Our mission is to educate, train, and mentor emerging talent from all backgrounds to succeed in the media industry. Through the power of storytelling and workforce development, we remove barriers to entry, unlock creative potential, and equip young people and emerging professionals with the tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving media industry.
Our workforce development program, MediaMKRS, was launched by Reel Works in 2019 to address the crisis of inclusion in the media industry with a goal to diversify the media landscape and create equitable solutions. MediaMKRS educates and empowers individuals from diverse backgrounds to succeed in the media industry through comprehensive training, hands-on work experiences, networking opportunities, and unparalleled access to industry professionals needed for a thriving career. To learn more visit reelworks.org and mediamkrs.org.
THE POSITION
Under the supervision of the Senior Program Manager, the Career Success Program Manager will support the mission and vision of Reel Works and aid in the overall design, development, and implementation of career success alumni programming. If you are highly organized, able to multitask and prioritize, comfortable with taking ownership of multiple projects, self-sufficient and able to manage small teams, experienced in TV/Film production, and are interested in our mission to provide job opportunities to underrepresented communities, we would like to meet you!
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Program Management (25%)

• Contribute to the development, implementation, and continuous refinement of alumni programming, ensuring it meets industry standards and organizational goals.
• Oversee peer-to-peer alumni pilot program.
• Liaise with the Senior Program Manager to engage studio partners, industry professionals, and film union representatives to create engaging professional development opportunities and events (i.e., panels, workshops, networking events) for program graduates.

Alumni Engagement (50%)

• Providing hands-on, individualized career support to program graduates as they transition into the workforce.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for alumni, offering consistent guidance, accountability, and craft-specific coaching.
• Support participants with:
  • Job search strategy and goal-setting
  • Identifying relevant job and freelance opportunities
  • Applying to jobs and tracking applications
  • Resume, reel, and materials review (as applicable)
• Help participants understand hiring norms, pathways, and expectations within their craft
• Community building through the MediaMKRS Alumni Association
• Document engagement and progress for program tracking
• Maintain knowledge of community-based services .and connect participants with resources to address needs beyond the scope of Reel Works.

Data Management, Reporting & Evaluation (25%)

• Oversee participant data collection and input into Salesforce to maintain precise records for programs, participants, instructors, stakeholders, and funders.
• Collect comprehensive program feedback from graduates and synthesize program data to evaluate impact, track participant progress, and generate actionable insights for program improvement.
• Maintain up-to-date alumni records to document long-term employment outcomes.

QUALIFICATIONS
THE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE

• 4+ years of experience within a non-profit, workforce development setting preferred
• Experience within and familiarity with the TV/film industry structure, including an understanding of entertainment unions, guild guidelines, and studio operations.
• Proficiency with CRM tools (Salesforce preferred), project management software, and data analysis.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to connect with entry level participants and engage in long term relationships.
• A deep, demonstrated passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a commitment to empowering individuals from underserved communities.
• Strong understanding of entry- to mid-level hiring practices in film, TV, or media
• Interest in mentoring and supporting early-career professionals

THE QUALITIES & ALIGNMENT YOU HAVE

• Eligible to work in the U.S.
• Alignment with Reel Works' mission and core values: Growth, Accountability, Community, Self-expression, Equity, and Impact
• Strong written and verbal communicator with good interpersonal skills; comfortable establishing and building good, productive working relationships with a variety of people (program applicants, industry professionals, staff at all levels, and various other internal and external stakeholders)
• Personable, approachable, and demonstrates comfort in a people-facing role and experience in a team-based work environment
• A true brand ambassador who is customer service-oriented, honoring commitments to internal and external stakeholders by providing helpful, courteous, accessible, responsive, and knowledgeable support
• Effective organizational and time management skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize
• Natural ability to lead and operate independently, with an appropriate level of day-to-day guidance from management
• Deep affinity for process, task management, and coming to the table with creative solutions
• Highly organized and flexible with proven experience thriving in a fast-paced environment where you juggle many responsibilities with potential ambiguity
• High degree of integrity, reliability, and trustworthiness, and can maintain a high level of professionalism

Reel Works is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating and developing an inclusive staff team. BIPOC, people with intersecting identities - LGBTQIA+, women and non-binary people, people living with disabilities and others with lived experience being part of marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, the application for all positions at Reel Works includes the option to respond to questions regarding gender, ethnicity, disability, and veteran status (learn more here). This information will not be used as selection criteria in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Self-reporting of personal identifiers is voluntary. While we appreciate your cooperation as we aim to ensure we attract a diverse candidate pool, we respect your right to decide whether to share your personally identifiable information. If you'd rather not share this information, feel free to select "Decline to Answer".
Reel Works is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. For information about when and why we collect personal information on candidates, and how we keep it secure see our privacy policy.