Nonprofit

Program Manager - Middle School

On-site, Work must be performed in or near Oak Park, IL
Apply


  • Details

    Job Type:
    Full Time
    Start Date:
    September 1, 2025
    Application Deadline:
    August 21, 2025
    Education:
    4-Year Degree Required
    Experience Level:
    Mid-level
    Salary:
    USD $60,000 / year
    Cause Areas:
    Children & Youth, Conflict Resolution, Race & Ethnicity, Education, Sports & Recreation, Poverty, Volunteering

    Description

    About YEMBA

    YEMBA is a nonprofit organization that empowers middle and high school youth through innovative mentorship programs that blend social-emotional learning, leadership development, and recreational engagement. Our programs are grounded in trauma-informed practices, positive youth development, and a deep commitment to serving the whole child—mentally, physically, and spiritually.

    Position Overview

    The Program Manager (PM) is a key leadership role responsible for the daily coordination and delivery of youth development programming across our school and community sites. This includes curriculum design & facilitation, mentor supervision, school partnership engagement, and data tracking. The ideal candidate is positive, proactive, collaborative, and experienced in supporting neurodivergent middle school students within trauma-informed, inclusive learning environments.

    Key Responsibilities

    Program Design & Implementation

    • Design, facilitate and implement engaging, age-appropriate lesson plans and curriculum, preferably from a movement/play based lens
    • Support youth with executive functioning, social-emotional, and leadership development
    • Apply best practices in trauma-informed care, positive behavior supports, and culturally responsive teaching
    • Provide Tier I interventions support as needed
    • Serve as a liaison with school staff, including student success coaches and teachers

    Staff Supervision & Development

    • Supervise and support Mentors, Junior Mentors, and interns
    • Provide ongoing coaching, check-ins, and training to support staff growth
    • Assist in hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluations

    Family & Community Engagement

    • Serve as the primary contact for families and support family involvement
    • Build strong relationships with caregivers and community partners
    • Represent YEMBA at school and community outreach events
    • Student participant recruitment via tabling events, community & in school outreach and presenting to student/admin

    Program Management & Quality Improvement

    • Track attendance, outcomes, and other key data for continuous improvement
    • Support program evaluation and quality assessment efforts
    • Assist with inventory, budget tracking, and reporting as needed

    Organizational Leadership

    • Participate in team meetings, trainings, and fundraising events
    • Contribute to strategic goals through mentorship, innovation, and collaboration

    Required Qualifications

    • Bachelor's degree in Education, Youth Development or related field (or equivalent experience)
    • 3+ years of experience in positive youth development and/or youth facing social services
    • Strong knowledge of middle school development
    • Skilled in trauma-informed care, lesson planning, facilitation, classroom management, and youth engagement
    • Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills
    • Comfortable working flexible hours, including some rare evenings and weekends
    • Valid driver’s license, insurance, and reliable transportation
    • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace

    What We’re Looking For

    • A proactive, organized leader who thrives in dynamic environments
    • A collaborative team player with a passion for mentoring and youth empowerment
    • A reflective practitioner committed to ongoing learning and equity
    • A joyful, anti-racist and anti-oppression advocate with experience working with a variety of young people, including BIPOC, LGBTQ, neurodivergent and low-income youth

    About YEMBA

    YEMBA is a nonprofit organization that empowers middle and high school youth through innovative mentorship programs that blend social-emotional learning, leadership development, and recreational engagement. Our programs are grounded in trauma-informed practices, positive youth development, and a deep commitment to serving the whole child—mentally, physically, and spiritually.

    Position Overview

    The Program Manager (PM) is a key leadership role responsible for the daily coordination and delivery of youth development programming across our school and community sites. This includes curriculum design & facilitation, mentor supervision, school partnership engagement, and data tracking. The ideal candidate is positive, proactive, collaborative, and experienced in supporting neurodivergent middle school students within trauma-informed, inclusive learning environments.

    Key Responsibilities

    Program Design &…

    Benefits

    • Full medical/dental/vision plan for you and your family after 30 days. Coverage begins the 1st of the month following completion of a 30 day wait period. Employer contribution is 75% for this benefit period.
    • Accrual of two (2) weeks of vacation in your first year of employment and eligible for five (5) sick days, two (2) Personal Wellness days after 90 days.
    • Half Day Summer Fridays (Remote options available)
    • Week off between Christmas and New Years
    • Company sponsored professional development
    • Full medical/dental/vision plan for you and your family after 30 days. Coverage begins the 1st of the month following completion of a 30 day wait period. Employer contribution is 75% for this benefit period.
    • Accrual of two (2) weeks of vacation in your first year of employment and eligible for five (5) sick days, two (2) Personal Wellness days after 90 days.
    • Half Day Summer Fridays (Remote options available)
    • Week off between Christmas and New Years
    • Company sponsored professional development

    Level of Language Proficiency

    Proficient in English

    Proficient in English

    Location

    On-site
    Cook County, 218 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60302, USA

    Apply to This Job

    Instructions:

    YEMBA is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Because we believe that marginalized communities must be centered in the work we do, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.

    All fields are required
    Resume must be uploaded in PDF format
    Choose a file or drag it here
    No file chosen (maximum size: 10 MB)
    I acknowledge that use of the Idealist Applicant Tracking System is subject to Idealist's Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

    Similar Jobs

    Illustration

    Take the Next Step in Your Career

    Match with social-impact hiring managers, explore the latest job opportunities, and get notified when new opportunities meet your search criteria.