Manager Fellowships and Advocacy

Springboard To Opportunities

Springboard To Opportunities connects families living in affordable housing with resources and

programs that help them advance in school, work and life. We do this by working directly with families,

as well as by establishing strategic partnerships with other organizations that help residents achieve

their goals. Springboard To Opportunities was formed with the understanding that affordable housing

alone is not enough to create thriving communities where all residents can succeed.

Manager Fellowships and Advocacy - Overview

Springboard seeks a Manager of Fellowships and Advocacy to help lead the organizations fellowships

and ongoing advocacy efforts. The position will manage recruitment, selection, design, and delivery of

STO’s four fellowship programs: Policy and Systems Change Fellowship, Workforce Development

Fellowship, Education Advocacy Fellowship, and Youth Fellowship. The fellowship programs and

advocacy efforts are designed to support residents in low-income housing in making connections

between public policies and their lived experiences, training residents on storytelling and advocacy

skills, and helping residents recognize their own power to lead advocacy efforts, organize, and create

change within their communities. The position will have substantial interaction with outside partners,

including policy and advocacy organizations, foundations, and other community organizations. The

position is located in Jackson, Mississippi.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for the following:

Program Strategy and Execution:

• Assist in directing Springboard’s fellowship programs, which include designing and continued

refinement to the curriculum of the four fellowships based on resident feedback and lessons

learned, recruiting and selecting residents for fellowships, and leading the implementation of all

four fellowships.

• Build relationships with local and national partners who can support fellows as they work

through their goals and projects during the fellowship and partner for implementation of the

fellowships.

• Implement and lead trainings around organizing, advocacy, power building, and public policy

topics for fellows and other Springboard staff as needed.

• Arrange fellow participation in local, state, and national advocacy opportunities, which could

include, but is not limited to media interviews, speaking at rallies/events, and testifying before

legislative or policymaking bodies.

• Provide fellows with guidance and mentorship throughout the fellowships and post-fellowship to

ensure they have the necessary support to reach their goals and continue in their goals and

objectives from the fellowship program.

• Contribute to grant writing, reporting and strategic planning aligning engagement, and

outcomes with organizational and funder priorities.

• Design and implement a plan for alumni fellows to stay connected, participate in opportunities,

and continue to work toward their goals even after the fellowship is complete.

• Supervise fellowship staff
• Foster strong communication with and among current and former fellows in-person meetings,

email, phone calls, and other interactions.

Administration:

• Utilize Springboard’s existing tools to create and execute an evaluation plan for each of the

fellowships to capture both outcomes and transformation through the fellowships, as well as

opportunities for growth and refinement within the fellowships.

• Foster cross-team and cross-organizational communication and collaboration to support the

goals and objectives of the fellowship programs and keep all staff in the loop as to what is

happening with the fellowships.

• Other duties as assigned.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required; graduate degree in public policy or nonprofit

management/leadership preferred

• Six (6) or more years of related professional experience, including experience working with low

income populations supervising staff, and strategic planning and design

• Comprehensive knowledge of public policy issues at a local, state, and federal level, especially

those pertaining to low-income families such as the social safety net, education systems, and

others.

• Experience and knowledge with organizing, advocacy, and power building strategies
• Ability to work effectively with significant latitude for independent decision-making and action
• Ability to effectively communicate (written and verbally) with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to solve problems with varying difficulty and serve as a resource to others in this

capacity

• Demonstrated experience with grants management and/or Salesforce or another CRM a plus
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software (i.e., Outlook, Word, Excel) required

WORKING CONDITION/ATMOSPHERE

This is primarily a day shift position to include 40 hours a week, exempt from overtime pay.

TO APPLY

Resume with Cover Letter is required with a preferred submission by May 15, 2026.

Interview Process

Candidates who move forward after the initial application review will participate in a two-stage

interview process:

• A 30-minute screening interview to discuss your background and interest in the role.
• A 30-minute in-person panel interview with members of the Springboard team at our

Jackson, Mississippi office.

Springboard To Opportunities is committed to providing equal access throughout our hiring

process. If you require an accommodation to participate in any stage of the application or

interview process, please email hiring@ardanicollective.com with the name of the role in the

subject line and we will be happy to assist.

Springboard To Opportunities is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race,

color, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.

SALARY/BENEFITS

A salary range of $60,000 - $70,000 (based on experience), plus a competitive benefits package

including health, dental, short/long term disability insurance, retirement, and generous paid time off.

Proficiency in English required