55 and Better Program Manager

HandsOn Suburban Chicago; Arlington Heights (IL); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

CVA credential reimbursement

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

HandsOn Suburban Chicago is seeking a 55 and Better Program Manager to lead the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP of Northern Suburban Chicago. You will manage grant implementation, ensure compliance, and guide a team toward the program's strategic goals.

Reporting to the CEO, you will supervise coordinators, oversee training, data systems, budgeting, and partner capacity building, while engaging volunteers and station partners to deliver high-quality, measurable services across the service area.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in the field.
• Minimum five years of program management experience.
• At least three years in a team management role.
• Ability to pass a background check.
• Experience with AmeriCorps or federal grants preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead RSVP program delivery and ensure grant compliance.
• Develop RSVP implementation timelines and staff plans.
• Monitor performance measures and adjust as needed.
• Support partner organizations and volunteer stations.
• Oversee communications, data, and technology for RSVP.
• Manage budgeting with CEO.

Skills

Project management

Volunteer engagement strategy

Relationship building

Written communication

Oral communication

Interpersonal skills

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM tools

Job description

Benefits

• Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) credential reimbursement
• Paid Vacation Days
• Paid Sick Time + Personal Days
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Paid Holidays
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Opportunity for advancement
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Wellness resources

Benefits/Perks

Salary range: $42,000 to $50,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

• Benefits: medical, dental, and long-term disability insurance; paid time off including vacation, sick, and personal days, paid holidays, and floating holiday.
• Hybrid work environment.
• Support for the Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) credential, including reimbursement of initial exam fees and ongoing recertification costs.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the 55 and Better Program Manager leads the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP of Northern Suburban Chicago and is accountable for the success of the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program, including grant implementation, compliance, team management and development, program delivery, and quality control and evaluation. The Program Manager leads the RSVP implementation and workplans, advances HOSC's strategic goals, and ensures compliance with AmeriCorps Seniors policies, procedures, and grant requirements. A successful Program Manager draws out the strengths each team member brings to HOSC's mission and turns them into progress on the strategic plan.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Grant

Serves as the primary point of accountability for the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP of Northern Suburban Chicago grant, including implementation, compliance, and performance.

Leads development and ongoing management of the RSVP implementation and timeline, connecting approved workplans, staffing, alignment of volunteer stations (the nonprofits and schools where volunteers serve), volunteer engagement, data systems, reporting, AmeriCorps branding, and alignment with the Illinois Department on Aging (IDOA).

Ensures all approved performance measures, outputs, and outcomes remain on track across the grant cycle, reviewing progress monthly against approved targets and making data-informed program decisions.

Identifies priority service activities based on AmeriCorps Seniors priorities, approved workplans, and identified community needs across the 64-community service area.

Works closely with the CEO on strategic, compliance, and community-facing decisions.

Team Development and Management

Supervises RSVP Coordinators, ensuring each member has a current job description, onboarding materials, the tools needed for the role, a supervision plan, and clear expectations and key performance indicators.

Ensures all RSVP staff complete required AmeriCorps Seniors training, including Funds Management, Fraud Awareness, Internal Controls, and the National Service Criminal History Check (NSCHC), keeping records and certificates in the Litmos learning system current and free of expiration gaps.

Builds a culture of collaboration, shared accountability, and mission alignment across the RSVP team.

Identifies and addresses staffing gaps, workflow bottlenecks, and role clarity issues proactively, rather than waiting for problems to surface.

Ensures backup coverage is designated for every RSVP position, so volunteer and volunteer station support never lapses during absences or transitions.

Collaborates with the CEO on RSVP administrative and operational roles, including staff, contractors, and skilled volunteers supporting RSVP data, compliance, records, and reporting.

Partner Capacity Building

Gives nonprofit partners and the volunteer stations where RSVP Volunteers serve the volunteer infrastructure they cannot maintain alone, helping them identify service needs, design effective volunteer roles, and fill those roles with qualified RSVP Volunteers.

Strengthens partners' volunteer management practices through training, technology, resources, and ongoing support, enabling them to use volunteer talent more effectively, expand capacity, and sustain services without interruption.

Owns RSVP's capacity-building performance measures and documents measurable gains in partner efficiency, effectiveness, and program reach, along with any gaps or unmet needs, so the program can adjust its approach.

Frames capacity-building work as part of HOSC's mission to build healthier, more connected, and more resilient communities across suburban Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties.

Volunteer Engagement

Sets direction for volunteer recruitment, placement, support, retention, leadership development, and recognition, and implements an annual recruitment and engagement plan tied to the grant's approved performance measures and to changing needs across the service area.

Engages volunteers in the substance of their service, not only in program logistics, by matching each volunteer's interests, skills, and lived experience to assignments that are meaningful to them and valuable to the station, and ensures volunteers are trained and connected to HOSC's mission.

Recognizes volunteers, partner organizations, and individual supporters annually.

Program Operations

Oversees AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program delivery and serves as liaison to the national AmeriCorps office, nonprofits, school districts, and other community partners.

Plans and executes the annual RSVP budget with the CEO and works with the HOSC team and volunteer station staff to secure program resources.

Keeps all fiscal, personnel, program, and volunteer records current, and reviews active volunteer station MOUs and RSVP memberships annually to confirm each is signed and stored in the approved system of record.

Maintains and improves RSVP policies, internal controls, standards, and procedures with the CEO, drawing on continuous input from volunteers, stations, staff, and community partners.

Supports the CEO on RSVP-related Board of Directors engagement, Community Impact Council involvement, RSVP grant renewal strategy, and RSVP program sustainability planning.

Represents RSVP and HOSC with community organizations, partners, and other national service programs.

Keeps the CEO informed of compliance risks, budget variances, staffing changes, and any issue affecting grant performance.

Exercises discretion and independent judgment on matters of significance, consistent with this position's exempt classification.

Communications, Data, and Technology

Reviews and approves all RSVP communications prior to production and distribution, ensuring each external piece meets AmeriCorps Seniors branding standards. The CEO provides final review of communications that carry significance beyond the program.

Owns the RSVP CRM as primary system administrator, and sets and enforces the field conventions, data entry standards, and naming that keep program data clean, consistent, and reportable at any time.

Manages RSVP listings on Get Connected and helps volunteer stations post their own opportunities, keeping listings current, accurate, and consistent with approved RSVP Volunteer position descriptions.

Keeps RSVP technology systems organized, up to date, and accessible with support from operations personnel and skilled volunteers, and works with the CEO to close gaps and address inefficiencies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The 55 and Better Program Manager brings a strong track record in project management, relationship building, and volunteer engagement strategy. They bring exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills; the ability to interface effectively with leadership, staff, volunteers, the Board of Directors, and the Community Impact Council; and a genuine respect for mature adult volunteers and the lived experience, professional skills, and community knowledge they bring. Experience helping nonprofit organizations build capacity through volunteer infrastructure, training, and technical assistance is a strong asset in this role.

Skilled in recruiting, managing, coaching, and retaining teams, and in helping people take on more responsibility over time.

Strong project management skills, with experience managing complex, multifaceted projects resulting in measurable successes and program growth.

Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to interface effectively with HOSC leadership, the team, volunteers, and the Board of Directors and Community Impact Council.

Respect for mature adult volunteers and the lived experience, professional skills, and community knowledge they bring, including a commitment to reasonable accommodation and to finding meaningful engagement opportunities for volunteers with varying physical and cognitive abilities.

Experience implementing program evaluation systems and using technology as a management and reporting tool.

Relationship builder with the flexibility and finesse to lead effectively through influence.

Strong organizational skills, with demonstrated attention to detail and the ability to manage several priorities at once.

Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to and passion for HOSC's mission.

Experience working within high-performing, collaborative, constructive peer groups.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in the field.

Minimum of five years of experience managing programs; at least three years in a team management role.

Ability to pass a background check, as required by federal grant guidelines.

Proficiency in Microsoft products and working knowledge of project management and CRM tools required.

Illinois driver's license and access to reliable and insured transportation required.

Experience with AmeriCorps or other federal grants preferred.

Competency in Spanish preferred.

Flexible work from home options available.