Program Manager

About Free Spirit Media

Free Spirit Media (FSM) partners with young storytellers to transform media and society. We do this through our holistic programming which focuses on community-building, skill-sharing and career and education pathways that support young people to envision and build their futures within the media industry and beyond.

FSM's goal is to support young BIPOC storytellers as they form robust and sustainable support systems, gain the skills needed to pursue employment in their creative fields, and understand the powerful and important gifts they bring to the world. FSM's media arts education and creative workforce investment programs are designed to break down barriers to access, success and leadership for emerging media makers and storytellers from Chicago's West and South Sides.

Located on the West side of Chicago for 23 years, FSM recently moved to BUILD, located at 5100 West Harrison St. in the Austin neighborhood. FSM has spent the last 2+ years intentionally co-creating shared values, purpose and vision, with young artists and a deep sense of place at the center. Our collectively realized organizational values are: Young Artist Leadership, Creativity, Belonging, Transformation & Intergenerational Collaboration.

Program Manager Overview

In service to FSM’s values, the Program Manager will work closely with the Director of Programs & Partnerships (DPP) to support and collaborate with staff, Teaching Artists and partners to facilitate creative youth development programs that foster social justice, belonging and youth voice by facilitating young people's creation of storytelling through media.

FSM is seeking a collaborative, detail-oriented, and creative individual for the position of Program Manager. Over the past two plus years, FSM has undergone an intentional transformation of collective vision and practices. This process is ongoing and the program manager is responsible for supporting and managing the ongoing evolution of FSM’s programming, including creative pathways (workforce investment), teen programming and place-based intergenerational programs (both center-based and in schools), in partnership with the DPP. This position works in deep alignment with staff and Teaching Artists in order to ensure that programming and practices are mission-aligned.

The ideal candidate is highly self-motivated, a strong communicator, organized but flexible, a collaborative team leader, a dependable supervisor, able to hold themselves and others accountable, and willing to try and learn new things. Previous experience as both a teaching artist and supervisor and/or manager of a creative team of artists is ideal. A background in art or media production is strongly desired. This position is for someone interested in working in an innovative, responsive and transforming community arts organization and requires a high level of self-reflection, ability to give and receive feedback and grace under pressure.

This position reports directly to the Director of Programs & Partnerships (DPP).

The Program Manager duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide day-to-day management of FSM programs (teen programs, creative pathways, place-based) under the direction of the DPP
• Manage and coordinate the partnership between BUILD staff and programs and the FSM program team and programs
• Support and maintain programmatic vision for FSM programs and clearly communicate FSM’s organizational priorities and program vision to the Teaching Artist team
• Work with the DPP to facilitate the evaluation of FSM programs, projects and partnerships
• Support DPP in the build-out and management of media arts partnerships with CPS schools
• Support the cultivation and maintenance of funder relationships as requested by the Executive Director
• Work with the DPP to complete ongoing budget forecasting to ensure accurate expense tracking
• Collaborate with the Operations & Communications Manager to create and sustain systems to support programmatic operations including registration, payroll, marketing and data management
• Provide supervision of Teaching Artists, interns and independent contractors
• Partner with the DPP to lead professional development training to ensure individual and collective professional development needs for the program and Teaching Artist team is met, including the planning and development of the intergenerational Teaching Artist cohort community of practice
• Partner with the DPP to implement and oversee the One Summer Chicago internship program
• Manage timelines, benchmarks, and deadlines for all FSM programs
• Work with the DPP to ensure that all curricula are age-appropriate, culturally-relevant, justice-oriented, trauma-informed, and integrated with other FSM programs
• Participate in board meetings as requested by the Executive Director and DPP

Qualifications Sought:

• A minimum of 2 years experience in a leadership, administrative, or managerial capacity in an organization that provides direct services to youth
• At least 2 years experience developing arts education programs in a non-profit, youth services, family support or K-12 educational setting
• Proven experience managing a team
• Proven ability to coordinate projects with lots of personalities and moving parts
• Relationship management skills and experience fostering a team approach to youth development and creating collaboration among various programs and departments
• A solid background in some aspect of media production with a willingness to explore new areas of the media landscape
• A strong belief in art and media as tools for both personal growth and community transformation
• A working knowledge of young people ages 11 to 25 years of age, including developmental stages and age-appropriate needs and behaviors
• Ability to articulate a vision about preparing youth for the future—from social, economic, cultural, and personal perspectives
• Skills and energy to build a team and lead effective staff development and training
• Experience working in a fast-paced multicultural youth environment
• Highly positive and enthusiastic leadership style capable of motivating others
• Commitment to social, racial, and economic justice
• Detail-oriented with strong ability to follow through on commitments
• Problem-solving skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Strong written and oral communication, organizational, and time management skills
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality

Compensation

This is a full-time position at 40 hours per week with an annual salary of $52,000 - $58,000 (DOE) payable bi-weekly. The position is exempt, does not qualify for overtime pay, and requires at least 75% work onsite (up to 100% given program needs) at FSM, located at the BUILD Chicago Austin Campus. Evenings and weekends required on occasion. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• Health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), life and disability insurance, retirement, generous paid leave (vacation, sick, and holidays, including two full weeks off during the winter holidays, and periodic all-staff rest weeks).

How to Apply

Applications are open until September 9 and this position has an estimated start date of September 30, 2024. Please send a cover letter, resume, and three references to info@freespiritmedia.org with the subject: Program Manager. Please do not embed your resume and cover letter in the email, it will not be reviewed.

For more information, please visit https://freespiritmedia.org/careers

Free Spirit Media is committed to diversity, equity and belonging across all aspects of the organization. We strongly encourage those who reflect our community to apply, including West and South side residents, BIPOC-identified people, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ and/or people from low-income and working-class backgrounds.