Program Manager

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended as a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified:

Basic Functions:

The Program Manager is a highly motivated, diligent, multitasking professional to join our Leadership team. The Program Manager oversees the various components of program within our 12-year professional mentoring model. The role’s primary responsibility will be to provide supervisory support and identify best practices using data analysis for a cohort of up to 7 Professional Mentors. A Program Manager must also know, understand, honor and support the organization’s mission, vision, values, principles and policies, and be able to clearly articulate the organization’s function. The Program Manager must possess emotional agility and adaptability to change and be able to navigate the strengths and challenges of a start up chapter/program.

Core Job Accountabilities:

• Manages a cohort of Friends to achieve program fidelity and meet program goals.
• Ensures compliance with and accountability to program policies, procedures, and practices, gathers weekly data, and facilitates professional development.
• Responsible for managing the performance of their direct team, including completing and conducting 90 days and annual performance appraisals.
• Ensures accountability for Friends work performance: adequacy of time spent with children, quality, intentionality, and diversity of activities with children, and administrative responsibilities.
• Collaborate with the Program Director in the onboarding of new Friends and develop an individualized plan for new Friends transition to meeting with youth, school visits, and activities during their first month. This may include planned observation of Friends interactions with you and/or supervision of Friends activities.
• Provide 1:1 support to their cohort of Friends to identify and celebrate success, review data and outcomes, provide guidance when challenges arise; and ensure services to youth are delivered from a trauma informed perspective.
• Provide coaching and administrative support to Friends.
• Conduct a minimum of two observations per quarter for each Friend (after probatory period).
• Manage any required performance improvement activities.
• Collaborate with Program Director and Family Engagement Specialist in maintaining regular contact with caregivers; planning family and program events; and addressing needs of the families.
• Co-facilitates the coordination and implementation of the child identification and selection process, and for the cultivation and maintenance of relationships with schools, families, and key community members
• Ensure compliance with and participate in Friends of the Children Houston coverage plan, when needed. May be assigned to mentor some youth as a Friend in the future.
• May support some Program Director’s duties in their absence.
• Co-lead and/or facilitate Program Meetings and provide communication of organizational information or issues to team, and to solicit feedback from team.
• Is a member of the Friends of the Children Houston Leadership Team and participates in organization-wide decision-making and working groups
• Advocate for Friends of the Children Houston, representing the best interests of the team and children.
• Demonstrate compliance with and accountability to the organization’s policies, procedures, and practices as outlined in the Employee Manual. Contribute to the development of any new policies or procedures as required. Demonstrate support of organizational decisions in a constructive and effective manner.
• Solicit and obtain feedback from a minimum of two caregivers from their Friends’s cohort per month. Document and maintain all feedback and include in Quarterly report.
• Support the Executive Director and Program Director in establishing and maintaining Friends of Children program model and positive work culture.
• Collaborate with the Development Department to respond to requests for information and stories about youths and families.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Assist with research, development and implementation of best practices programming to serve current and future needs of the organization as required.
• Participate in recruiting, hiring and training of Friends, including interview candidates, attend career fairs, organize and/or present training sessions, attend educational seminars.
• Effectively cultivate and nurture external relationships: develop trusting, supportive relationships with the families and caregivers of the children on their team and build relationships with our partner schools to allow for effective program implementation and sustainability.
• Participate in All Staff meetings and other meetings and events as assigned.
• Other projects or tasks as considered necessary.

Essential Skills and Abilities:

• Strong people skills, with ability to resolve conflicts, and help others do the same.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; organizational and time management, delegation, and follow-up skills
• Strong project/caseload management skills with an emphasis on creating schedules, program activities and modules.
• Strong adaptability to change and support others in navigating change.
• Ability to influence the behavior of others to achieve necessary results
• Ability to use creativity, data and initiative in guiding others to plan youth development activities
• Ability to manage several concurrent issues and solve problems effectively by exercising discretion and judgment.
• Strong data analysis skills to assist others in setting goals and developing plans to meet those goals as well as to contributing to the chapter overall goals
• Ability to hold others accountable in all aspects of required performance
• Ability to cultivate relationships with children, families, school personnel, organizational supporters, and community partners
• Understanding of child development and behavior; as well as trauma informed practices and service delivery.
• Proficient computer skills including email, familiarity with MS Office, and other database applications.

Working Hours:

This is a full-time, exempt position. The work schedule will be standard Monday through Friday and be available one Saturday per month to provide supervision and guidance to the assigned team. Flexibility in schedule is needed to meet the needs of the program and may include evenings and weekends (e.g. special events, program activities).

Required Education, Experience, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Mental Health Field, Education, Social Work, or related field, with a minimum of 5 years of experience working with youth and families facing the greatest risk factors. Master’s degree is a plus, but not required
• Maintain current driver’s license, good driving record, and vehicle insurance.
• Maintain First Aid/CPR certification
• Minimum of 3 years supervisory experience with direct reports.
• Strong knowledge of public school systems, special education programs and/or various community-based organizations.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of social issues, child development, social justice competencies, and trauma-informed supports.
• Proven experience in strong collaborative work involving key stakeholders
• Excellent computer, organization, oral and written communication skills
• Be culturally competent: Having a critical understanding of the youth and family within their cultural context. Engage and deliver services by acknowledging, respecting, and integrating youth and family’s cultural values.
• Engage in continuous learning and development.
• Bilingual (Spanish English) is a plus but not required.

BENEFITS:

Competitive benefits are available, including 100% employer paid health insurance (medical/dental/vision), life insurance, paid vacation, and paid sick time. We also offer a 401K Program with employer matching up to 3%. Generous vacation package including 12 paid holidays and two weeks between Christmas Day thru New Year's Day. Employees also have access to excellent wellness and well-being resources