Program Manager, STEM & Health Leadership

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Founded in 2010, MERIT Health Leadership Academy prepares Baltimore City students to become health professionals and community leaders advancing equitable health outcomes. MERIT is committed to building a future health workforce that reflects the communities it serves.

MERIT Scholars are typically admitted in their sophomore year and supported through high school, college, and advanced health-related pathways. The program combines rigorous academic preparation with real-world healthcare exposure and leadership development.

MERIT programming includes:

• Health, STEM, and leadership-focused Saturday programming during the academic year
• Clinical exposure and health-related internships during summers following sophomore and junior years
• Individualized college access and persistence support
• Alumni engagement and long-term mentorship

MERIT Scholars graduate with a strong commitment to health equity, a clear vision for their future, a robust academic and professional skillset, and a close-knit community of peers and mentors.

In the 2025–2026 program year, MERIT will serve nearly 300 high school students and alumni. Over the past several years, 99% of MERIT Scholars have been accepted to four-year colleges and universities, many with significant scholarship support.

Additionally in the 2025-2026 program year, we are proud to partner with the CollegeBound Foundation through a shared commitment to expanding educational and career opportunities for students from historically underrepresented communities. Our organizations are aligned in our belief that talent exists everywhere, and that students thrive when provided with strong mentorship, academic support, and clear pathways to college and career success.

Through this partnership, CollegeBound is supporting MERIT in strengthening key program components and advancing opportunities that prepare students for leadership in health and STEM fields. As part of this collaboration, CollegeBound is also assisting with the search process for this role to help ensure the program continues to grow with strong, mission-aligned leadership.

Learn more at www.meritbaltimore.org.

POSITION SUMMARY

The STEM & Health Program Manager provides leadership for MERIT’s science, clinical exposure, and health career pathway programming. This role ensures academic rigor, strong scholar preparation, and meaningful clinical and research partnerships aligned with undergraduate pre-health expectations.

The Program Manager leads the design and delivery of MERIT’s Saturday programming and summer experiences while cultivating partnerships with healthcare institutions and academic partners. The role also includes recruiting and supporting instructors, preparing scholars for clinical and research environments, and strengthening MERIT’s nationally recognized pipeline model for developing future health leaders.

Limited operational responsibilities are included; compliance, HR, and administrative functions are supported centrally within the broader organization.

This role is ideal for an educator or health professional who is passionate about expanding pathways into medicine and health careers for Baltimore City students. It requires a strong foundation in science or health and the ability to engage credibly with clinical and academic partners.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

STEM & Health Curriculum Leadership

• Design, refine, and oversee rigorous STEM and health-focused curriculum for Saturday programming and summer experiences
• Ensure alignment with college-level science expectations and pre-health academic pathways
• Integrate leadership development, professionalism, and health equity frameworks into academic programming
• Conduct periodic review of curriculum to ensure coherence, progression, and rigor
• Provide instructional leadership and support to instructors and guest educators to ensure engaging, project-based learning experiences

Clinical & Health Partnerships

• Recruit, prepare, and steward clinical preceptors and internship hosts, ensuring high-quality and aligned clinical and research experiences for scholars
• Conduct site visits and ensure scholars are prepared for clinical and research environments
• Serve as the primary liaison with healthcare professionals and institutional partners

Student Recruitment & Selection

• Support recruitment of highly motivated Baltimore City students through partnerships with schools, counselors, and community organizations
• Contribute to maintaining a strong and mission-aligned scholar community 2

Instructor Recruitment & Development

• Recruit educators, healthcare professionals, and subject-matter experts to teach or support Saturday programming
• Provide guidance and feedback to instructors to strengthen classroom engagement and instructional quality
• Build and maintain a network of educators and professionals committed to supporting MERIT Scholars

Scholar Academic & Professional Preparation

• Advise scholars on STEM coursework alignment and academic progression
• Prepare scholars for internships, shadowing, and research expectations
• Ensure scholars understand professional standards and expectations in clinical settings
• Cultivate strong study habits, academic resilience, and self-directed learning skills among scholars
• Support alumni engagement within health and science pathways

Program Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor scholar STEM performance and readiness indicators
• Collaborate with organizational leadership on evaluation and reporting efforts
• Use outcome data to strengthen curriculum design and pathway development
• Contribute subject-matter expertise to fundraising and partner communications as appropriate

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Professional Background

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, public health, education, nursing, or related STEM or health fi eld required
• Master’s degree in education, public health, STEM, or related fi eld strongly preferred

Experience

• 5–8 years of experience in STEM education, health programming, clinical education, youth development, or related fi eld
• Experience designing curriculum aligned with STEM or health pathways
• Experience engaging healthcare professionals and academic partners
• Experience working with high school students, particularly in urban school systems or college access programs
• Familiarity with clinical environments and healthcare workforce development strongly preferred
• Experience supporting or leading out-of-school-time or youth programming environments

Skills & Competencies

• Strong curriculum design, program management, and evaluation skills
• Ability to recruit, prepare, and support instructors and clinical partners
• Experience with data systems, reporting, and continuous improvement processes
• Clear, professional written and oral communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace required.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Unwavering belief in Baltimore City students as future health leaders and change agents
• Commitment to educational equity and expanding access to health careers
• Demonstrates MERIT’s core values: Equity, Excellence, Growth, Ownership, and Family
• Highly organized, proactive, and adaptable
• Strong relationship builder with emotional intelligence and leadership presence
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus
• Attendance at all Saturday programming during the academic year is required

LOCATION

Semi-Hybrid.

Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) at the CollegeBound Foundation headquarters (2507. N. Howard Street, Suite 200 Baltimore, MD 21218);

One day of remote work (Fridays); and Saturdays (8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) at the program site during programming weeks.

Wednesdays will be flexed for Saturday work days however, there may be weeks or periods of time where this is modified.

Work schedule is subject to change based on the needs of the organization and program.

MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

This position reports directly to the Director of High School Programs at the CollegeBound Foundation. They will work in partnership with a Program Coordinator and College Access Program Specialist (CAPS) to oversee the day-to-day management of the program and students. This position does not directly manage staff however, this is subject to change based on the needs of the program.

SALARY & BENEFITS

• Compensation: Target salary range $75,000–$90,000, commensurate with experience and depth of STEM or health expertise.
• Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, long-term disability, short-term disability, and life insurance, 401K plan with an employer match, paid holidays, and other paid time off. Additional benefits include partial cell phone reimbursement, student loan repayment assistance, and college tuition assistance.
• Status: Full-time, exempt. 4

TO APPLY

• Submit a resume and cover letter to our Idealist Applicant Tracking link no later than April 17, 2026.
• MERIT and the CollegeBound Foundation are reviewing applicants for this role in partnership and mutual interest to identify a strong leader to meet the needs of the program.
• No phone calls.

MERIT is committed to building an inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can do meaningful, high-quality work. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, long-term disability, short-term disability, and life insurance, 401K plan with an employer match, paid holidays, and other paid time off. Additional benefits include partial cell phone reimbursement, student loan repayment assistance, and college tuition assistance.

English language fluency is required. Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.