Program Manager, Central Valley

Impact

We are one of over 100 Junior Achievement chapters in the U.S. and part of the global family of Junior Achievement Worldwide, giving incredible opportunities for long-term growth within our organization. Our mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy, and we partner with tons of really cool companies to connect mentors with youth who have questions about their future. JA NorCal is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area and operates in 24 counties throughout the state, including Fresno and neighboring counties in the Central Valley. Through our network of education partners, JA NorCal provides relevant, hands-on learning experiences that teach young people to manage their money, plan for their economic future, run their own businesses, and develop readiness for careers and college.

Our Commitment to Equity
Junior Achievement is committed to creating a more equitable and just tomorrow by promoting economic empowerment through our programs. We prioritize:
• Creating an inclusive and diverse future workforce by introducing students to the transformative power of career exploration and planning.
• Leveraging technology to maximize reach and impact by investing in innovative digital learning experiences to increase student opportunities.
• Addressing the racial, ethnic, and gender wealth gaps by teaching financial strategies to empower students to engage in the economy fully.
• Developing young entrepreneurs by connecting students and business volunteers to instill entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial mindsets.

Primary Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Regional Director, the Program Manager will manage programs and support partnerships within Central Valley counties: Fresno, Madera, Merced, Tulare, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus. Specific communities vary by year based on multiple factors. This role will particularly emphasize educator support and volunteer recruiting, training, placement, and recognition. The Program Manager must maintain the organization’s high-quality standard, ensure adherence to Junior Achievement’s program implementation standards, and develop and maintain positive relationships with educators and community partners. The Program Manager will be organized and detail-oriented, striving to provide high-quality work and meet deadlines while building effective relationships with colleagues. The Program Manager will possess a friendly, professional demeanor, a positive attitude, and the ability to work independently.

Primary Responsibilities:
• Program/Event Management: Manages and implements programs (JA Learning Experiences) and student events according to our market’s Strategic Plan (Job Shadows, Student Summits, etc.).
• Volunteer Management: Manages programs with a strong emphasis on volunteer recruitment, training, placement, support, and recognition.
• Volunteer & Educator Training: Organize and implement effective volunteer and educator orientations and training in accordance with JA USA and JA NorCal standards.
• Excellent Customer Service: Builds and maintain strong relationships with educators, community members, and additional key stakeholders.
• Community Outreach & Partnerships: Identify and develop key partnerships with corporate, community, and non-profit partners to support us in achieving our program goals.
• Fundraising Support: In cooperation with the regional director and the JA leadership team, support the development team in securing funding for the Central Valley region.
• Regional Advisory Board: Assist the Regional Director in planning and leading Advisory Board meetings.

Additional Responsibilities:
• Assess program quality and impact through educator, volunteer, and student surveys.
• Attend in-person programs and events to welcome volunteers, recognize educators, and represent JA NorCal in the Central Valley.
• Manage general records and correspondence with volunteers, file class registration forms, communicate with marketing on volunteer needs, and supervise procurement and delivery of all program materials.
• Prepare materials for Board and Committee meetings. Work with the Regional Director to engage local advisory board members in Central Valley programs and events.
• Other projects as required, including occasional event support on weeknights, weekends, and holidays.
• Support general program duties and other duties as assigned by your manager.

Responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:
• Entering development department data into Salesforce, including gifts, contact information and other important details
• Ensuring acknowledgment letters and emails are sent in a timely manner
• Creating and generating development reports from Salesforce
• Providing event support
• Working collaboratively with other departments to ensure timely event follow-up
• Supporting general development administrative duties and other duties as assigned by the VP of Development

Opportunity for Growth

While this is a part-time position, there is significant opportunity to grow within this role, particularly in the areas of development and fundraising. By demonstrating initiative, hard work, and problem-solving skills, you can support and potentially lead various fundraising activities. Key areas for growth include:

• Donor Relationships: Develop and maintain strong relationships with donors, enhancing your networking and interpersonal skills.
• Grant Writing and Research: Gain expertise in writing compelling grant proposals and conducting thorough research to identify new funding opportunities.
• Event Support: Play a vital role in planning and executing fundraising events, which can enhance your project management and organizational abilities.
• Data Analysis: Analyze fundraising data to inform strategies and measure success, strengthening your analytical and technical skills.

Through your contributions and achievements in these areas, this part-time role has the potential to evolve into a full-time position or other promotional opportunities within the organization. We are committed to supporting your professional development and providing a clear pathway for career advancement.

Our Definition of Hybrid

• This role will likely be expected to be in the office at least one day per week, and occasionally two, depending on the timing of related work. Additionally, there are other in-person events throughout the year, and attendance will be coordinated between the individual and their manager.
• This flexible hybrid approach ensures that you can manage many of your tasks remotely while still participating in essential in-person interactions and events. We also offer office space for those who prefer or need to work on-site more frequently.

Qualifications (required)

• Passion for JA’s Mission and Commitment to Equity
• Positivity, optimism, and a solutions-oriented mindset
• Commitment to healthy and professional communication to form trusting relationships, to collaborate, offer feedback and guidance, and to motivate and inspire others.
• Commitment to working with at-risk students and families from historically marginalized communities that have been systematically underserved.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Extreme flexibility, strong work ethic, and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate joining a growing and constantly improving team.
• Self-starter, comfortable in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Ability to self-direct and prioritize competing goals and to initiate process improvements.
• Goal-oriented, with strong initiative and creative problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: ability to work with a wide range of people, including teachers,
counselors, parents, students, and administration teams
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Knowledge of Zoom, MS Teams, and other virtual communication platforms.
• Driver’s License and reliable transportation.
• High School Diploma required. Additional post-secondary education is preferred.

Qualifications (desired)

• 2-3 years of work experience in a similar role
• Bachelor’s Degree Preferred
• Experience working with BIPOC Communities
• Experience in Youth Development and/or Workforce Development
• Experience with Blackbaud or another CRM, including report generation.
• Knowledge of California K-12 education system
• Bi-lingual ability (Spanish/English) preferred.

Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described below represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and walk; occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; continually required to talk or hear; occasionally required to bend, lift, or climb; frequently required to lift and carry light weights (25-50 pounds.) Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust or focus.

Application Process

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