Program Manager, College Town

DETAILS

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reality Changers’ College Town program builds first-generation college students by offering tutoring and mentoring resources to support the academic achievement, community leadership, and personal growth of 8th- to 11th-grade participants.

The College Town Program Manager leads both group and individual coaching for the student body and studentfacing staff. The College Town Program Manager supervises and coaches the College Town staff in mentoring students, using study room time effectively, conducting school/home visits, and leads program content development. The Program Manager must be a creative leader with significant experience coaching youth-serving entry-level staff and the low-income, inner-city youth we serve, to succeed. The College Town Program Manager reports to the Senior Vice President and engages with the Volunteer Manager and Family Coordinator to deepen the quality of curriculum delivered and cross-collaboration. The program manager must also pay attention to quality work, effort, and follow-through. This manager can both coach and inspire their direct reports, while holding them to organizational standards.

BENCHMARKS / GOALS / MEASURES OF SUCCESS:

• Guide staff to achieve 8th -11th grade participant benchmarks in the three key areas: 1) Academics 2) Collegegoing identity, and 3) Leadership
• Design, lead, and execute on program initiatives, projects, and daily operations
• Coach and support staff to meet their respective job benchmarks
• Overall, student attendance and participation should average 80%

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

An incumbent performs the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, but is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide Personal and Academic Support to Students:

• Lead the development and execution of personal and academic support initiatives for students.
• Facilitate evening program, lead designated tasks, and be able to step into other assigned evening posts.
• Provide continuous encouragement to our first-generation students on their path to college.
• Oversee grade tracking, data collection, and paperwork collection.
• Work with Achievement Coaches to identify the barriers, obstacles, or reasons for academic underachievement and based on these reasons, oversee the development of personalized achievement plans that will help lower-performing students perform at Reality Changers’ academic expectations.
• Schedule and distribute the calendar to Coaches for program communications and lead how students will receive information, inclusive of program assessments; follow up with students to evaluate the effectiveness of personal plans of action; and general program events and activities.
• Plan and execute student activities during the school year, school breaks, and weekends to build strong relationships that inspire and encourage their participation in the College Town program (e.g., Summer programming, Academic Connections, Speech Nights, Career Exploration Week, Scholar Celebration, etc)

2. Design leadership development resources for students and/or student-facing adults (e.g., coaches, tutors):

• Design leadership development resources for students and/or student-facing adults (e.g,. coaches, tutors).
• Model and capture dynamic and “tightrope-theory” aligned ways to engage youth during program time (e.g,. study room, community service, etc.) and encourage their involvement with Reality Changers.
• Collaborate with program staff to develop and/or update content for programming (such as curriculum for 8th- to 11th-grade students, leadership camp activities, etc.).
• Develop and maintain the Achievement Coach Handbook and supplementary materials.
• Maintain the Achievement Coach Training Manual and update as necessary.
• Participate in org-wide working committees as necessary to develop key student-facing protocols and resources (e.g., incident report committee).
• Advise volunteer-facing staff regarding content to be used for tutor meetings and collaborate with volunteerfacing staff to ensure consistent student support.
• Adapt or lead new initiatives based on student feedback, interests, and/or needs.

3. Conduct Outreach at School Sites:

• Serve as a representative of Reality Changers by maintaining a positive and consistent presence on our middle and high school sites.
• Oversee the program’s annual 8th-grade challenge assemblies designed to inspire and recruit new students into the program.
• Collaborate effectively with parents, guardians, teachers, school administrators, and other community resources in regards to students with different issues.
• Represent Reality Changers by independently delivering inspiring and motivational speeches to schools and community groups, as needed or requested

4. Coaching and Support of Program Staff:

• Provide targeted support to Achievement Coaches to improve performance and engagement with students. This may range from providing coaching, conversation planning, and pacing support, to helping them analyze resources and apply them to their practice.
• Maintain and create, as needed, program standard operating procedures and scopes.
• Push Coaches to excel in their work with students, encouraging the “leveling-up” of all involved and maintaining a professional and exciting experience.
• Oversight of all Achievement Coach projects.
• Constantly work in partnership with the Family Coordinator and Volunteer Manager to achieve respective program goals.
• Work in partnership with the Senior Vice President to design programming and vision.

5. Program Operations and Administration:

• Monitor all program nights per week at Headquarters (e.g. opening/closing program and facility).
• Maintain program physical spaces, their upkeep, inventory, and organization.
• Oversee up-to-date student records and timely recordkeeping; assist with ongoing student data collection.
• Directly maintain student progress records for attendance, participation, public speaking, and leadership development (e.g., academic performance, personal discovery, and goal setting).
• Provide on-the-ground tactical resources and support for program and organization events (e.g., annual Scholar Celebration, speech tournaments, delegation outings, annual Leadership Camp, etc.).
• Facilitate weekly team meetings and provide ongoing feedback and ideas for improvement, complete with meeting minutes, notes, and attendance.
• Hold regular one-to-one coaching meetings with Achievement Coach staff, complete with meeting minutes, notes, and attendance.
• In partnership with the Senior Vice President, plan and calendar out all College Town events, create and maintain staff and program schedules, and share with the organization.
• Facilitate internal College Town report-outs to the organization (i.e., in all-staff meetings, grant reports, etc.).
• Compile data from a variety of sources, including Salesforce, to analyze program issues, evaluate curriculum, and/or services.
• Maintain and monitor the College Town budget and send funds to eligible staff cardholders as needed for approved expenses.
• Perform general supervisory administrative tasks such as timecards, being mindful of PTO requests, and conduct annual performance evaluations.
• Perform other duties as needed.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university is required. Master’s degree preferred.
• 3-4 years of management experience, including staff supervision is required.
• Experience in mentoring or working with youth is required.
• Significant experience with public speaking and facilitation is preferred.
• Passion for social change and a demonstrated ability to engage others compellingly is preferred (education experience an asset).

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES

• Fluency in Spanish is a plus
• Strong classroom presentation skills are highly preferred.
• Positive and professional attitude and ability to work as a team player, welcoming feedback, and contributing to the team spirit.
• Ability to relate well and network with many types of people: from community leaders, to parents, to school counselors, to volunteers, to students of different backgrounds and cultures.
• Resourceful, self-motivated, and energetic; able to work independently and demonstrate initiative.
• Demonstrated flexibility and patience, particularly when faced with challenges.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including proven success in presenting ideas and concepts effectively and persuasively.
• Effective team leader, inspiring and holding direct reports accountable to position responsibilities.
• Exceptional organization skills and dedication to detail, with experience managing multiple deadlines with an outcome-oriented approach.
• Entrepreneurial approach demonstrates a growth mindset and ability to take a concept from ideation to execution.
• Must be highly adaptive, versatile, and responsible, even when confronted with ambiguity or tense situations
• Willingness to take initiative and do what is necessary to complete the job.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent follow-through.
• Knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office, G Suite, Zoom, and email systems. Experience in Salesforce is a plus.

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS

• Always represent Reality Changers in a positive manner in all public and private settings.
• Set the standard of being an exemplary and effective Reality Changers culture carrier.
• Provide positive encouragement to staff, students, and instructors in all public and private settings.
• Exemplify commitment to Reality Changers’ mission and values.

TRAVEL / HOURS

•  Frequent travel within San Diego will be expected.
• Regular weekend and evening work will be expected.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to and from site location(s), Reality Changers’ headquarters, and related events. Will be required to drive students frequently, either via personal or company vehicle.
• Clear Tuberculosis Test (TB) or ability to obtain medical clearance
• A job offer of employment is contingent upon completion of our pre-employment screening process.

SALARY / BENEFITS

As a candidate for this position, starting salary and related elements of compensation will be contingent upon work experience, education, job-related skills, and any other factors Reality Changers considers relevant factors to the hiring decisions for this position.

Benefits for this position include a 403(b) plan, medical, dental and vision coverage, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, pet insurance, paid holidays, EAP, annual $500 professional development stipend, 10-days paid sick leave, paid parental leave, sabbatical leave, and unlimited flexible paid time off.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. Staff will be assigned and required to use a company laptop for work use.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This job requires the ability to sit, use hands and arms to perform repetitive motions, including a significant amount of walking, climbing stairs, and frequently moving spaces each day. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. It requires moderate dexterity, application of basic skills (calculator, keyboard, hand-eye coordination, etc.), and the ability to bend or stand as necessary.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

At Reality Changers, we believe diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) are connected to our mission and critical to the well-being of our staff and our community. In 2021, we were recognized as an “Outstanding Organization for Diversity & Inclusion” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals San Diego Chapter.

Reality Changers serves first-generation youth from low-income backgrounds and from groups who are traditionally under-represented on college campuses—such as Black, Latinx, Indigenous, LGBT+, Immigrant and/or Undocumented communities. Because we believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do, we
strongly encourage applications from people with these identities and/or backgrounds.

TO APPLY

To apply, please submit the following to jobs@realitychangers.org by June 13, 2025:

• A thoughtful cover letter outlining your interest in the position and how your qualifications align with the above requirements and Reality Changers’ focus and mission.
• Current resume

This non-exempt position is eligible for appointment at $70,000 annually.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible as interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis. The anticipated start date is no later than July 2025.

Applicants who identify as first-generation college students/graduates are especially encouraged to apply.

Please note:

• No phone calls.
• Relocation is not available.
• All prospective staff will be fingerprinted and must pass a TB and criminal background check