Senior Program Manager

POSITION OPENING

• Title: Senior Program Manager
• Reports to: Executive Director
• Type: Full-time, exempt position, requiring 40 hours on average per week. Hybrid environment combining in-person and remote work.
• Compensation: $55,000 - $60,000 annual salary range commensurate with experience. Monthly health and technology stipend. PTO and paid holidays.
• Location: Charlotte, NC
• Start date: Early June 2026

Application process: Position will remain open until filled, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage applicants to submit materials early. To apply please send your CV/resume and a cover letter via Idealist platform posting or to contact@circledeluz.org

ABOUT CIRCLE DE LUZ

Circle de Luz is a Charlotte-based non-profit established in 2008 that profoundly empowers and advocates for young Latinas through extensive mentoring, comprehensive programming, integrated services, and scholarship funds for further education. We aim to reduce high-school dropout rates, increase post-secondary enrollment and workforce readiness, and boost the economic mobility of Latinas in Charlotte. We also remove barriers to Latina well-being, success, and resilience through comprehensive social work services.

Our work is bilingual and culturally rooted, ensuring that every program, service, and interaction reflects and honors the experiences, values, and strengths of Latine youth and their families. We begin working with Latinas in seventh grade, guiding each cohort through high school graduation with programs that foster personal growth, build confidence and resilience, and prepare participants to take ownership of their education, well-being, and community contributions. Beyond individual support, Circle de Luz provides wraparound services to students and families and engages in collective advocacy with community partners to strengthen the broader ecosystem of resources for Latine youth. Upon graduation, each participant receives a $5,000 scholarship to pursue post-secondary education, advancing opportunities for educational success, family well-being, and economic mobility.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Our organization offers students a culturally responsive and empowering six-year tailored programming and mentorship experience beginning in the seventh grade. The Circle de Luz Senior Program Manager leads the development and implementation of this annual student and family programming, ensuring alignment with Circle de Luz’s vision, curriculum, standards, and strategic vision.

We currently serve 28 Latina students across four cohorts in middle school and high school and will add a new eight-student cohort in the fall of 2026. We also offer programming to approximately 170 family members. Our programming follows the CMS school-year calendar.

As part of a collaborative team of four staff members, this role is responsible for program planning, development, implementation, and assessment; program budget management and scholarship disbursement; volunteer and program intern recruitment, training, and management; program-related partnership management; and assessment and evaluation processes to drive program quality, participant satisfaction, and community impact.

The ideal candidate has experience working in the nonprofit sector, education, youth, and Latine issues with solid program management skills. The ideal candidate is a bilingual (English/Español) and proactive team player with an impeccable work ethic; is highly organized, resourceful, and a critical thinker with a strong ability to balance multiple priorities in a dynamic and compassionate work environment.

The first 90 days of employment will serve as a probationary period focused on onboarding, training, and collaboratively establishing goals for success in the role. Upon successful completion of this period, the position will transition to regular employment.

We know that great candidates don’t always match every listed requirement. If you bring relevant skills, lived experience, or a non-traditional path, we encourage you to apply.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads planning, execution, and evaluation of all Circle de Luz programming to ensure quality, innovation, and alignment with the organization’s mission.
• Leads on further developing and refining our curriculum, programming processes and offering to meet the organization’s goals. Adapts to change, context, and emerging needs of our members.
• Acts as a key internal partner for operational excellence. Further develops and manages programming evaluation strategies, processes, and systems in collaboration with the Executive Director. Prepares recurring and ad-hoc reports.
• Ensures consistent application of Circle de Luz policies, procedures, and safety standards across assigned programs.
• Recruits, trains, and manages our volunteer and facilitator networks to ensure the implementation of safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive teaching and mentoring practices. Leads background check processes for volunteers, interns, and staff.
• Works closely with the Executive Director and Programming and Operations Coordinator to develop and manage the annual programming budget as well as tracks and processes programming expenses on a monthly basis.
• Closely collaborates with the Case Manager to provide support in serving students and families, and to develop and implement parent and family-facing programming.
• Collaborates with the Case Manager to recruit, train, and supervise 1-2 collegiate interns.
• Manages alumnae scholarship disbursement processes and further develops processes to systematically connect with alumnae and assess/support transition into post-secondary education and the workforce. Provides support as needed based on capacity.
• Cultivates and manages strong relationships with students, families, volunteers, and community partners to support engagement and growth.
• Represents the organization at events, meetings, or other engagements with partners or community members.
• Prepares reports, information, presentations, and materials as needed for board of directors, partner engagement, and other organizational needs.
• Collaborates with staff members, vendors, and volunteers on grant writing processes, communications (e.g. annual report, newsletters, social media), fundraising activities, and other team endeavors as needed with flexibility and team spirit.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in one or more of the following fields: education, nonprofit management, organizational leadership and development, curriculum development and/or instructional design, social work, or other related fields. Master's Degree desired but not required.
• 5+ years experience working in education and/or nonprofit sectors with a focus on one or more of the following areas: program planning, coordination, and implementation; program administration, nonprofit management, intern and volunteer management, student advising and counseling, college and career pathways exploration, curriculum development.
• Professional experience developing, implementing, and assessing youth and/or adult educational programming.
• Effective leadership skills and experience managing, training, and supervising professional staff and/or student employees.
• Experience developing and managing budgets.
• Language skills – fluency in Spanish and English.
• Fluency with computer systems, Microsoft Office applications, and documentation databases.

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Flexibility to perform some weekend and evening work is required.
• Ability to work on a hybrid model combining on-site and virtual work.
• High degree of motivation with a proven ability to work independently, meet deadlines, manage multiple priorities, and move work forward on numerous fronts simultaneously while eliciting the confidence of others.
• High degree of organization, detail orientation and precision.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Spanish including talent in relationship-building, public presentations, and writing.
• Strong capacity to develop comprehensive and organization building strategies for growth.
• Deep emotional intelligence with an ability to build trust and relate to our members, donors, funders, and leadership to achieve goals.
• Ability to thrive in a creative, fast-moving, mission-driven culture.
• Strong initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Enthusiasm and genuine commitment to the mission of Circle de Luz.

Other:

• Valid driver's license.
• Candidate will need to complete a background check.
• Candidate must have authorization to work in the US.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND COMPENSATION

This position is based in Charlotte, NC, and is a fulltime, exempt position, requiring 40 hours on average per week. Flexible schedule in a hybrid environment combining in-person and remote work. Some weekend and evening work is required.

Compensation: $55,000 - $60,000 annual salary range commensurate with experience plus the benefits listed below. The salary range posted for this position reflects our organization’s commitment to equitable and transparent compensation practices. We are not able to offer salaries outside of this range. In addition to the salary, we offer:

• Monthly health and technology stipend of $320 to support health-related costs, home office, or cellphone.
• 20 days of paid personal time off (PTO) plus 10 paid holidays annually.
• Opportunities for professional growth and selfcare

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND NON-DISCRIMINATION

• This is a hybrid position composed of both in-person, in-office days at the Circle de Luz office and virtual/remote work. Circle de Luz operates using a shared office model. On in-person workdays, employees can work at any open desk in the Circle de Luz office or in the surrounding common spaces in the building.
• Circle de Luz is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enriches our work environment and enhances our ability to serve our community effectively.
• We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion/faith, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or immigration background. We are dedicated to creating a work environment free from harassment and discrimination, where all employees are treated with respect and dignity.

Application process: Position will remain open until filled, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage applicants to submit materials early. To apply please send your CV/resume and a cover letter via Idealist platform posting or to contact@circledeluz.org

• Monthly health and technology stipend of $320 to support health-related costs, home office, or cellphone.
• 20 days of paid personal time off (PTO) plus 10 paid holidays annually.
• Opportunities for professional growth and selfcare.

English & Spanish professional fluency required