Program Manager, San Diego

About Defy Ventures

Defy Ventures is a national nonprofit that believes in the power of redemption and the potential of every person to transform their life. Through intensive leadership development, entrepreneurship education, and authentic community, we empower currently and formerly incarcerated individuals to build confidence, skills, and pathways to successful reentry. Our flagship program, CEO of Your New Life, combines business education, personal development, and executive mentorship to help our Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) defy the odds.

Position Overview

The Program Manager plays a critical role in delivering Defy Ventures’ CEO of Your New Life program across correctional facilities in the greater San Diego area and supporting participants post-release. This role is ideal for a highly organized, relational, and mission-driven professional who can manage complex programming, build strong institutional relationships, and support individuals navigating reentry.

This is a hybrid position that offers the ability to work remotely in the San Diego area, with regular in-person work required in local correctional facilities, including travel to correctional facilities and community sites.

Key Responsibilities

Program Delivery & Facilitation

• Lead implementation of Defy’s CEO of Your New Life curriculum inside local correctional facilities.
• Facilitate classes, workshops, and group discussions that foster psychological safety, accountability, and growth.
• Ensure program fidelity while adapting facilitation to meet participant needs and facility requirements.

Participant Support & Case Management

• Provide post-release coaching, resource navigation, and employment support to people returning from incarceration.
• Maintain consistent communication with EITs to support goal setting, accountability, and successful reentry.
• Identify barriers to participation or progress and connect participants to appropriate supports.

Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with correctional facility leadership and staff.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Defy Ventures and partner institutions.
• Collaborate with executive volunteers and community partners to support programming and events.

Events & Logistics

• Coordinate and help execute in-prison events, including coaching days and pitch competitions.
• Manage scheduling, materials, volunteer coordination, and on-site logistics.

Data, Reporting & Operations

• Accurately track attendance, outcomes, and program data in Defy’s database systems.
• Prepare timely reports and updates for local and national leadership.
• Ensure compliance with Defy policies, correctional facility requirements, and data integrity standards.

Communication & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to custody and post-release newsletters and participant communications.
• Proactively identify challenges and recommend solutions to improve program effectiveness.
• Participate in team meetings, training, and cross chapter collaboration as needed.

Duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Strong alignment with Defy Ventures’ mission and commitment to working with currently and formerly incarcerated individuals.
• Excellent facilitation, presentation, and group management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in program management, education, facilitation, social services, or a related field.
• Sound judgment, professionalism, and emotional maturity in complex or high-pressure environments.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle; ability to travel regularly throughout California
• Ability to receive clearance from California correctional facilities.
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds.

Preferred

• Lived experience with the justice system
• Existing volunteer or staff clearance at a California state correctional facility.
• Experience in reentry services, workforce development, education, or nonprofit programming.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $70,000-$71,000 annually
• Comprehensive health benefits
• 15 days of paid vacation annually
• 401k, sick time, parental leave

Application Process

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter via the Idealist posting.

About Defy Ventures

Defy Ventures is an entrepreneurship, employment, and personal development training program that recognizes the potential in many formerly and currently incarcerated people to become successful, legal entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) “defy the odds” through our program, which includes intensive leadership development, Shark Tank-style business pitch competitions, and executive mentoring. We work to address injustice through our commitment to changing perceptions, breaking cycles of recidivism, and helping people to create equity in historically marginalized communities.

Defy Ventures is an equal opportunity employer. Defy Ventures uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires in the United States. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

• Comprehensive health benefits
• 15 days of paid vacation annually
• 401k, sick time, parental leave