After School Matters is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that annually offers after-school and summer programs to nearly 19,000 Chicago high school teens to explore and develop their talents while gaining critical skills that will set them up for success in college and beyond.
Thirty years later, now known as After School Matters, our program has engaged more than 350,000 Chicago teens and is the nation’s largest and most successful provider of after-school and summer programs for high school teens. No other organization offers programs to high school students at the scale and quality that we do.
We offer paid apprenticeships led by professionals in the fields of arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Our nationally respected youth development model has been replicated in cities across the country and earned us the City Livability Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
Programs take place at community locations throughout the city, including three ASM buildings: downtown at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, the Michael and Karyn Lutz Center in Belmont Cragin, and the Pullman community at Gately Park. Currently, After School Matters’ annual operating budget is approximately $35M and employs approximately 500 staff across the organization.
Summary of Position:
The primary function of the Senior Program Manager position is to facilitate and monitor After School Matters programs within one of After School Matters buildings (and in the surrounding area) after school, during the day, on weekends and during school breaks. The Senior Program Manager will implement high-quality programs in collaboration with independent instructors, community-based agencies, and educational and cultural institutions. The Senior Program Manager will work closely with the Senior Program Director on all programmatic special projects and liaise with other departments on programmatic projects/initiatives.
The Senior Program Manager will collaborate with the Facilities Manager to ensure that programmatic needs are met with respect to space, supplies, building logistics, and safety procedures.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
- Oversee and ensure high quality of all programs at one of After School Matters buildings (and the surrounding area)
- Collaborate with operations personnel to ensure the cleanliness, safety, and security of After School Matters building
- Co-lead facilities meetings and maintain regular communication with Facilities Management re: building cleanliness, organization, repairs, space reservations, improvements, security, safety drills, food service, etc.
- Establish, communicate, and uphold building expectations (entry/exit, food/drink expectations, no gum, appropriate attire, etc.)
- Communicate building updates to a range of audiences including senior staff, donors, and community members
- Host donor tours and program experiences
- Build and maintain a high-quality program portfolio that includes after school, daytime, weekend and school break programs
- Continuously assess program portfolio and lead team efforts to develop, expand or redesign programs to align with organizational goals
- Effectively manage partner relationships
- Oversee recruitment and enrollment efforts including outreach to neighborhood schools, participation in citywide events, facilitation of teen interview days, etc.
- Develop systems to ensure a safe, respectful, and teen-centered environment
- Manage behavioral issues (counsel teens directly and support instructors)
- Supervise, support and coach the program team including Program Specialists, College Interns and Administrative Assistants
- Conduct regular site visits, observations and Youth Program Quality Assessments
- Manage advanced level programs to ensure that they meet After School Matters program quality expectations for instruction and final product
- Analyze data (observations, evaluations, attendance) and make quality improvement recommendations
- Oversee and analyze program site visits and completion of program observations, impact statements, career readiness scoring, instructor reports, instructor surveys and teen surveys and make appropriate adjustments based upon data
- Communicate clear expectations and support team to meet all compliance measures
- Act as team lead for generating solutions that promote programmatic efficiency
- Collaborate with internal departments (i.e., Communications, Advancement, Finance) to optimize opportunities for teens
- Develop and maintain relationships with program partners and instructors
- Manage the recruitment, hire and training of all instructors and program providers
- Ensure that all programs are equipped with necessary materials and supplies
- Create and refine program budgets in collaboration with the Finance department
- Implement and monitor recruitment strategies
- Work closely with specialists to assist providers with effective recruitment and retention strategies
- Stay abreast of trends in teen interests and best practices for out of school time programming
- Assist in the hiring of program staff
- Act as primary contact for emergencies that involve calling a parent/guardian and/or transport to the emergency room
- Provide leadership for the branch when the Senior Program Director is not available
- Other duties as assigned
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Program Specialists (2—4)
- College Intern
Physical Demands:
The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
- Must be able to sit for long periods of time.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
- Must be available some weekends.
- Flexible work hours required consistent with out of school time programming (including Saturdays).
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Skilled in developing and facilitating collaborative relationships
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams
- Excellent organizational skills and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent Microsoft Office including proficiency in Excel; ability to collect and maintain information as needed
- Demonstrate experience in project management
- Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
- Ability to work in fast-paced, high-energy environment
- Respect for all levels of the organization and outside partners
- Energetic team player who works well in collaborative situations
- Strong orientation to customer service
Qualifications:
- Minimum bachelor’s degree: Master’s degree preferred
- 5-7 years management and youth programming experience
- Cook County residency required
- Availability on evenings and Saturdays
Salary Range:
$66,700 - $73,600
How to Apply:
Send a Cover Letter and Resume to
EEO:
After School Matters is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, military discharge status, age, marital status, parental status, or source of income.
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