Program Manager

Hope Chicago is seeking a dedicated and experienced Program Manager to join the program team. Under the direction and support of the Chief Program Officer, the Program Manager will work to provide postsecondary access, completion programming, financial scholarships and aid to thousands of Chicago public school students and their parent(s) or guardian(s). Dozens of partner schools and nonprofit organizations provide wraparound advising and support for postsecondary access and success, and the Program Manager will help build and oversee those relationships to advance Hope Chicago’s goals. 

This role has a focus on four key areas:

(1) Program development and implementation - as a growing organization, Program Managers play a key role in helping to drive and refine the program model to ensure scholar success. Working closely with In-network postsecondary institutions, Program Managers will have goals aligned to establishing a sustainable and comprehensive program across postsecondary partners. 

(2) Stakeholder and resource management - with over 30 partners, Program Managers’ ability to oversee, support and engage stakeholders is crucial to the organization’s success. This role will lead in-network postsecondary teams through establishing strategic initiatives to support the unique needs of Hope scholars collectively and individually while also identifying and connecting key resources to track scholar progress.   

(3) Program Evaluation and Reporting -  Hope Chicago has invested in a research partner to ensure appropriate evaluation over time. The Program Manager role will focus on ensuring the collection of data and work closely with the Hope data team to ensure there are clear outcomes, goals, tracking and reporting on Hope Scholars.  

(4) Team Leadership - As the first and largest team at Hope Chicago, Program Managers are intended to provide guidance and support to other programmatic staff and the larger organization. This role will continue to foster an environment of program collaboration and innovation across all departments to ensure program fidelity. Additionally, the Program Team serves as the first point of contact for Hope representation at various activities associated with Chicago Public School, the college promise network, the education nonprofit sector and other local and national activities.       

A successful candidate must have a personal passion for and professional commitment to equitable access to learning opportunities for young people and adults alike, with a particular focus on communities that have been underestimated and lacked investment. The Program Manager must believe that pathways to postsecondary educational attainment can empower people of all ages to create socio-economic mobility for themselves, their families and entire communities. 

Key Responsibilities

The Program Manager will:

• Collaborate with school leaders and educators in Hope Chicago partner high schools and postsecondary institutions to complete asset mapping and tailor Hope Chicago and affiliated supports to the context of specific schools and communities;
• Develop and execute implementation plans alongside leadership and practitioners at partner high schools and postsecondary institutions; 
• Oversee the collaborative relationships between Hope Chicago, partner high schools and postsecondary institutions, and a broad array of nonprofit program partners in college access, college success, adult learning, and/or workforce transitions;
• Manage, direct and assess the quality and continuous improvement of a portfolio of specific  in-network postsecondary institutions as assigned; 
• Collaborate with relevant Chicago Public Schools departments to coordinate Hope Chicago programming with district-run postsecondary preparation and access efforts;
• Coordinate institutional engagement with key offices, departments and leaders to support key programmatic strategies that drive student persistence and success.  
• Support direct scholar engagement and policy adherence through a series of hybrid meetings (on campus, in-person, virtual) and touchpoints with scholars, Campus Contact and support staff; 
• Maintain and expand Hope Chicago’s data on partner schools, postsecondary institutions and communities to ensure the organization is focusing its investments on those we can most benefit; 
• Support the continuous improvement process for Hope Chicago programming, coordinating with Hope Chicago’s external evaluation partner and capturing data directly from schools, student and parent/ guardian scholars, and program partners;
• Capture and document best practices as Hope Chicago and its partners learn; and
• Contribute to Hope Chicago’s programmatic strategy, and collaborate with colleagues as part of a growing and evolving organization. 

Qualifications and Competencies

Exceptional candidates will: 

• Possess at least 4 years of experience in college access and college success and/or managing organizational partnerships in progressively more advanced roles; 
• Hold a bachelor’s degree; 
• Have experience interfacing and collaborating with high schools, school systems, higher education institutions and/or educational or youth-serving nonprofit organizations in Chicago or similar settings; 
• Demonstrate meticulous project management skills with a commitment to excellence;
• Be relentless and creative when confronted with complex challenges; 
• Seek feedback and learning opportunities whenever possible; and 
• Enjoy dynamic, fast-paced, and collaborative work. 

Fluency in Spanish is preferred but not required. Periodic travel to Illinois college campuses and some nights and weekends will be required.