After School Matters provides Chicago high school teens with high quality, after-school and summer opportunities to explore and develop their talents while gaining critical skills for work, college and beyond. Since 1991, more than 200,000 teens have participated in our hands-on, project-based after-school and summer programs in the arts, communications and leadership, sports and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Programs take place at locations throughout the city including Chicago public high schools, Chicago Park District and Chicago Public Library locations, community organizations, downtown at the Gallery 37 Center for the Arts and in Belmont Cragin at our new Michael and Karyn Lutz Center for After School Matters. For more information, visit www.afterschoolmatters.org.

Summary of Position:

Reporting to the Director of Program Supports, the Manager of Program Supports will be primarily responsible for managing various high-profile, programmatic projects. These projects are critical for the growth of After School Matters’ Program department. The management of these projects falls into three large work streams:

1. Program Implementation: Managing the scaling up of various high-profile programs that have special funding or area of focus.
2. Community Outreach: Research and outreach to a community-based organization, individual instructors, school principals or city-agencies to partner with After School Matters as program providers or locations for projects.
3. Operational and Logistical Support: Interface with internal departments (Contracts, Human Resources, Finance, etc.) to plan and monitor the onboarding of providers for these high-profile projects.

To complete these projects, the Manager of Program Supports will interface with a variety of stakeholders (teens, instructors, funders, community-based organizations, schools, etc.). The ideal candidate must be flexible enough to manage both large-scale initiatives and small, discrete projects, and will have a passion for improving the lives of Chicago’s teens.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee and manage high-profile projects such as the After School Matters Peacemakers and ComEd Youth Ambassadors, etc. Responsibilities range from outreach to implementation and operational and logistic support, and may include:
  • Creating a project plan to implement the programmatic and operational aspects of these projects;
  • Meeting with external and internal stakeholders to understand their needs and how they will contribute to projects;
  • Identifying and onboarding any potential instructors to implement projects;
  • Identifying community locations such as schools, community centers, churches, etc. to house programs and showcases;
  • Arranging any instructor and liaison training for special curriculums that will be implemented in the programs;
  • Coordinating all aspects of any final showcases or events associated with these programs in partnership with the Program branch teams, Development/Special Events, Communications and the Program Supports teams;
  • Conduct site visits and observations to monitor program implementation and to work with programs to plan creative ways to improve their engagement and program outcomes;
  • Directly supervising seasonal Program Specialists to implement programs and indirect supervision of branch Program Specialists to support these projects;
  • Host and coordinate tours of funders, elected officials or other external funders to visit program or showcase sites; outreach and interface with community partners, foundations and aldermanic offices to meet the desired outcomes for various projects;
• Partner with key internal departments (Contracting, Finance, Cityspan, Legal, etc.) to successfully plan and implement the operational parts of projects:
  • Support the Development team with providing content expertise and language for grants;
  • Partner with the members of the Program Supports team to determine the best ways to support the instructional practices and quality in these targeted programs;
• Support other special projects as needed:
  • Design, provide oversight and coordination of special events in coordination with community partners to creatively showcase After School Matters teens and their projects;
  • Manage tours for donors, board members and critical local, national, and international partners in consultation with the CEO and Chief Development Officer; and
  • When requested, provide quality control over various concepts and multiple projects from beginning to end and ensure timely completion with support from the Program teams as needed;
• Ensure appropriate balance of the program portfolio:
  • Analyze data in collaboration with the Research and Evaluation team to examine trends and areas for opportunity to align with CPS’ demographics and needs;
  • Keep abreast of best-practices (national and local) to recruit and maintain marginalized groups in non-traditional fields;
  • Drive recruitment outreach strategies;
  • Develop diversity of programs and program guidelines for After School Matters;
  • Work with community-based organizations, universities and corporate partners to design new and innovative programs that appeal to high school teens;
• Other duties required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Physical Demands:

The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to sit for long periods of time.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent organizational, conceptual, and analytical skills; strong process orientation, problem solving and trouble-shooting skills; a firm commitment to quality
• Strong grasp on instructional best practices
• Understanding of high school aged youth’s needs
• Experience in managing complex projects
• Ability to work in a fast paced, high energy environment
• Skilled in developing and facilitating collaborative relationships and interacting with people at all levels, from entry-level artists to international dignitaries
• Comfortable with delivering training, giving constructive feedback, and providing coaching to staff and teachers
• Demonstrated experience in managing multiple projects at one time, able to respond to requests quickly, willingness to be flexible, and able to work in a fast paced, high energy environment
• Strong orientation to customer service (i.e., ASM staff and teens, corporate executives, community and government leaders, etc.)
• Detail oriented and capable of meeting deadlines
• Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment
• Proficiency in MS Office applications required

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree strongly preferred
• 5+ years of experience in education and/or non-profit administration
• Commitment to the youth of Chicago
• Valid Driver’s License, insured transportation, and driving record that satisfies our Motor Vehicle Policy required[1]
• Cook County residency required
• Evenings and weekends may be required

How to Apply:

Submit a cover letter and resume at http://afterschoolmatters.applytojob.com/apply

EEO:

After School Matters is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, military discharge status, age, marital status, parental status, or source of income.

[1] After School Matters will provide reasonable accommodation to a person who does not have a driver’s license because of a disability.