Program Manager, Reads

ExpandED is dedicated to ensuring that all young people have access to enriching learning opportunities that affirm their identities, teach them valuable skills, and spark new possibilities. Through program development, capacity-building, research and advocacy, we work toward our vision of a vibrant and stable publicly-funded system of school-community partnership so that all New York City children thrive.

Established in 1998, the organization today works with more than 119,000 children and 900 programs throughout New York City to ensure that students in under-served communities have access to innovative, engaging ways of learning to enable them to reach their full potential. Over the last two decades, ExpandED Schools’ program, research and policy efforts have led to increased recognition of the academic, social, and emotional benefits of afterschool, increased funding, and new models for school-community partnership.

Purpose of Position

ExpandED Schools manages and offers facilitation services for the Reads NYC early literacy initiative, currently generously funded by the Pinkerton Foundation and Carmel Hill Foundation and serving three NYC areas (South Jamaica, East New York and East Harlem). Through a collaboration that includes literacy-focused organizations, schools, and community partners, Reads NYC aims to foster literacy-rich communities and increase the number of children who enter school prepared to learn and to sustain academic achievement. The Program Manager works closely with school and literacy-based organization teams in an effort to support programs in their local schools and communities aligned to the Reads initiative.

Reporting to the Director of Reads, the Program Manager will oversee a portfolio currently comprising 9 Reads elementary school sites and 10 literacy partner relationships. The Program Manager will be the primary liaison between literacy partners, schools, and related organizations working within the three communities. The Program Manager will serve as a facilitator and support school-literacy teams to ensure students participate in literacy-rich activities that integrate science of reading principles; that teams collaborate to coordinate community

events to highlight Reads; and that families are engaged to reinforce academic strategies at home.

The Program Manager will oversee budget and expenses review and approval for their program portfolio; assess program quality through on-site observations; and formulate narrative

feedback reports as required by funders.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Facilitate planning and execution of initiative-wide and neighborhood literacy events as well as representation of the Reads Initiative at community events. Ensure there are appropriate roles for partners and community members as well as connections to broader stakeholder engagement.
• Conduct site visits to identify promising practices as well as opportunities for strengthening quality, and provide written feedback to school-literacy teams to foster continuous improvement.
• Facilitate monthly reflection and planning sessions with the 10 literacy program leads to check in on implementation plans and assess the needs and interests of our partners.
• Design and implement workshops on promising practices in the field of literacy, family engagement and youth supportive environments.
• Build and maintain a calendar for the year to help partners plan their execution of Reads initiative activities.
• Serve as the main point person for the assigned school, community, and pre-school portfolio, troubleshooting and resolving issues as they arise and navigating recommendations and requests from principals and various school partners.
• Facilitate beginning, mid-year, and end-of-year meetings with assigned school portfolio, including creation of meeting agendas and follow up action items.
• Maintain and disseminate information for the Reads Monthly Newsletter for all partners and participating schools.
• Support in the creation and dissemination of Reads-branded materials and spearhead book distribution events, to create neighborhood and partner pride in the Reads initiative.
• Coordinate outreach to elected officials and/or local press in Reads neighborhoods, as appropriate.
• Organize Connection Lunches with literacy partners to build and strengthen relationships within Reads communities
• Assist with the establishment and maintenance of literacy zones (mini libraries) in Reads communities within barbershops, beauty salons, laundromats, etc.
• Manage Reads Pulse Check data collection system to monitor literacy partner monthly entries and deliverables
• Work closely with the external evaluation partner to assist with the data collection, management, and analysis, including developing common definitions and best practices in sharing data as appropriate and feasible.

Qualifications and Competencies:

• Commitment to educational equity
• Bachelor’s degree and at least three years of teaching or related experience in the youth services and/or education field required
• Experience supporting partnerships between schools and community organizations particularly in a coaching capacity, strongly preferred
• Strong cultural competence with respect for and extensive knowledge of the cultures of the various stakeholders we work with and the communities we serve
• Commitment to collaboration and participating as a member of a team that recognizes that it is strengthened through its diversity
• Excellent planning and organizational skills with a proven ability to execute tasks efficiently
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, including clear and persuasive speaking and writing
• Expertise in using data to improve programs and instruction
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders and execute projects independently
• Computer skills, especially MS Office: Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel
• Flexibility, adaptability and comfort with complexity and change
• Willingness to travel throughout NYC (up to 2-3 days per week) including evenings and weekends.

This position requires regular use of public transportation and regular work in school buildings that may require climbing stairs.

ExpandED Schools offers a generous benefits package, which includes:

• Full-time and eligible part-time employees receive medical, dental and vision plans for employees and dependents, largely subsidized by ExpandED Schools
• Health, dependent care and transit pre-tax accounts
• Employer-paid life insurance and supplemental disability coverage
• A generous paid time off package which includes 24 personal days, 8 sick days, and 13 paid holidays (prorated for part-time staff)
• 403b retirement plan with eligibility for employer contribution of 5% of annual compensation after one year of employment (no match requirement)
• Commitment to work-life balance
• Partial tuition reimbursement offered to employees after six months of service
• Professional development opportunities, including funds to participate in external training and coaching opportunities

ExpandED Schools believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. ExpandED Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.