Learning Program Manager Jobs in Oak Park, IL (NOW HIRING)

Organization Overview 

Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Our comprehensive approach to whole girl development equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers and grow up healthy, educated, and independent. These positive outcomes are achieved through three core elements: people - trained staff and volunteers who build lasting, mentoring relationships; environment - girls-only, physically and emotionally safe, where there is a sisterhood of support, high expectations, and mutual respect; and programming - research-based, hands-on and minds-on, age-appropriate, meeting the needs of today’s girls. Informed by girls and their families, we also advocate for legislation and policies to increase opportunities for all girls and address the systemic barriers that impede girls’ success, particularly girls in low-income communities and girls of color.  

Position Overview 

Girls Inc. of Chicago has an exciting opportunity for a Full-Time Interim Program Manager. The Interim Program Manager is responsible for program operations and administration, school partner relationships, and curriculum development. Additionally, the Interim Programs Manager will support Girls Inc. of Chicago by participating in organization-wide initiatives, as needed, to help ensure that all employees are serving as visible and effective leaders and advocates for Girls Inc. of Chicago. 

Primary Responsibilities       

Management/Coaching – 70% 

General (Year-Round) 

• Responsible for raising standards for program execution through leading, implementing, monitoring and evaluating practices, policies and initiatives. 
• Responsible for managing a team of Full-Time and Part-Time Learning Coordinators, and Program Coordinator at program partner sites, including maintaining coverage, approving time-off, guiding them in modifying and scheduling a curriculum and monthly calendar of program activities and events for participants that are educational, age specific and in alignment with youth development principles and evaluation program effectiveness. 
• Through effective Coaching, the Interim Program Manager ensures the efficient running of all day-to-day aspects of school year and out-of-school time programs, including effective communication, regular monitoring, and feedback, establishing and leading weekly program planning meetings and maintaining high quality work environment. 
• Manage the guidance and consultation for Learning Coordinators to handle difficult situations with girls and families, girls’ conflict resolution, and challenging situations with program partners. 
• Evaluate the effectiveness of programs and strategies within your sessions and across programs through pre-post survey administration and defining initiatives for the Girls Inc. Strong Smart & Bold Outcomes Measurement Survey. 
• In partnership with the Director of Programs and Director, Community Engagement, assess needs for program development or revisions through process and outcome evaluations and work with coordinators to develop site-specific plans to meet program outcomes. 
• Model exemplary engagement of auxiliary staff in alignment with grant-specific requirements (I.e. LCSW, case management resources, etc.) and community impact priorities. 
• Manage and assess program operating needs to create and update procedures accordingly. This includes program spending, supply orders, and program transitions into and out of partner site spaces 
• Assist in the completion of grant programmatic reporting. 
• Participate in Program Team hiring process and onboarding. 
• Effectively communicate with girls and their families, when engaging during sessions, by-phone via email and online. 
• Be a strong advocate for change and champion program improvement. 
• Participate in all staff meetings to share ideas and concerns and works collaboratively with staff to ensure the goals and objectives of Girls Inc. of Chicago are being met. 
• Convey a positive “can do” attitude, motivate and inspire staff and present a positive ‘united front’ to secure successful outcomes of organizational initiatives. 
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule including occasional evenings and weekends (e.g. gala, InnovateHer, She Shines) in addition to business hours 
• Follow Girls Inc. progressive disciplinary procedures for direct reports that fail to uphold GIoC’s policies and procedures, code of conduct, team values and expectations. 
• Conduct bi-weekly check-ins/address immediate needs/questions of direct reports. 
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned. 

Seasonal 

• Once in the fall semester (before October 31) and once in the spring semester (before February 28), conduct program observations of Program Department staff (including but not limited to Learning Coordinators, Program Aides, and the Youth Mental Health Counselor to support quality program implementation. 
• Collaborate with the Director of Programs and the Senior Director of Finance and Operations to report findings and recommendations for improvement based on observation findings 
• Lead trainings on themes and areas of focus that should be addressed during department meetings. 

Program Implementation Support and Curriculum (20%) 

General (Year-round) 

• Collaborate with Director of Programs to develop a schedule of programming for the entire year. 
• Reviews pre/post assessment data to inform the creation of appropriate training content for Learning Coordinators so they can meet programmatic outcomes and ensure continuous quality improvement in collaboration with Director of Programs. 
• Work with the Director of Programs, Director of Development, and Learning Coordinators to identify donor cultivation opportunities and success stories that can be shared with funders, board members, and other stakeholders. 
• Creating and facilitating workshops for both professional development and curriculum training for program team. 
• Review all session plans for completeness and adherence to Girls Inc. Programming model by the designated deadline 
• Follow the Girls Inc. progressive disciplinary procedures for direct reports who fail to complete their session plans and inform the Director of Programs and Human Resources. 

Camp-Specific (Seasonal) 

• Responsible for managing, planning, and coordinating programming (curriculum and activities) for spring break and summer camps in collaboration with Director of Programs and Director, Community Engagement. 
• Collaborate with Director of Programs to create a staffing plan that includes hourly duties for all Program Department team members and creating professional development and training schedules for all Program Department team members. 
• Creates pacing guide for seasonal curriculum in collaboration with Director of Programs. 
• Lead the coordination of spring and summer camp logistics including but not limited to 
• Collaborating with the Community Engagement team to schedule a site visit to the venue 
• Ensure that all girls are entered into Compass 360 and that attendance is entered weekly into Compass 360 
• Create a staffing plan for staff move in/move out 
• identifying and creating the curriculum framework 

Facilitation – 10% 

• Must be able to facilitate programming to girls in groups of 15-25 and between the ages of 5-18 in- person when necessary to ensure ongoing high quality girl engagement, staff retention, while maintaining program partnerships 
• Prepare for, and facilitate hands-on and intentional programming activities within our Core Essential Services (Healthy Living, Academic Enrichment and Support, Life Skills); 
• Develop content according to the guidelines and delivery schedule outlined in Girls Inc’s in-person programming models; 
• Maintain safe spaces by implementing in-person and online safeguards for engagement. 

Required Knowledge and Skills 

• Passionate about the Girls Inc. mission and values and working youth in grades Kindergarten - 12th and women. 
• Must be a high-energy, caring, self-starter, innovative and have high level of competency in cultural diversity, ability to coordinate a multi-faceted program, facilitate cooperative work and manage a team 
• Proficiency and/or experience using Google Suite, Word, Power Point, Excel, Microsoft Teams and Canva. 
• Must be able to encourage staff to be creative and innovative. Inspires and motivates teams to explore new and different innovative approaches and resources to meet the needs of the girls and to keep programs flexible, educational, and interesting. 
• Must be able to communicate with youth and foster their involvement and participation in program, planning, problem solving, and decision making. 
• Must be able to develop and implement programs which are responsive to the needs and interests of the girls and SEL alignment in program activity implementation 
• Demonstrated ability to build strong partnerships internally and externally while maintaining a high level of professionalism and decorum 
• Committed to the values of diversity, inclusion, and empowerment. 
• Must have reliable and consistent transportation and the ability, and flexibility to work between the hours of 7:30am-6pm, travel daily to multiple school sites throughout Chicago, predominantly throughout the South Side. 

Education & Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in education, Youth Development, Human Development Social Work, or related discipline. Master's degree Preferred. 
• A minimum of 4 years’ experience (5 or more preferred), teaching and/or facilitating, preferably in a school setting (Chicago Public Schools a plus) or youth-serving organization that includes experience in youth mental health, direct-service supervision, administration, curriculum/course design, and developing community/school partnerships, with knowledge of equity issues facing girls of color. 
• At least three years of experience managing large teams of 4 or more.   
• Candidates must pass a criminal history records check, and drug screening, in addition to other Chicago Public Schools safety requirements 

Girls Inc. of Chicago has a Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. 

GIRLS INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.