Adult Education Program Manager

Greater Lawrence Community Action Council; Lawrence (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Greater Lawrence Community Action Council seeks an Adult Development Program Manager to coordinate ESOL, Adult Education, and Financial Empowerment initiatives, including leading the VITA tax program. You will supervise instructors, ensure program quality, and integrate financial capability into services to boost educational advancement and financial stability.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree, 3+ years of relevant experience, and strong leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience, preferred.
• Experience teaching ESOL/adult learners.
• Experience managing or supporting VITA programs preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Experience with data systems and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for ESOL and Adult Education programming.
• Supervise, mentor, and support instructors through observations and development.
• Ensure high‑quality curriculum, lesson planning, and delivery (in‑person and online).
• Coordinate assessments and ensure compliance with program standards.
• Lead staff meetings, trainings, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Advise students academically and support transitions into employment or education.
• Coordinate recruitment, enrollment, orientations, and retention strategies.
• Maintain accurate data entry in required systems and compliance with funding and reporting requirements.
• Lead planning and evaluation of Financial Empowerment initiatives and oversee VITA program; manage volunteers.

Skills

Leadership

ESOL experience

VITA programs

Data reporting

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Job Summary

The Adult Development Program Manager is responsible for the coordination, delivery, and continuous improvement of Adult Education, ESOL, and Financial Empowerment programming. This role focuses on instructional leadership, student support, and financial capability initiatives that promote educational advancement, financial stability, and long‑together, self‑sufficiency for adult learners.

The Manager oversees ESOL and Adult Education instruction, supports instructors, ensures program quality and compliance, and leads Financial Empowerment initiatives, including full management of the VITA tax program. This position plays a key role in integrating financial literacy into adult education services and strengthening community impact.

Essential Functions and Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Instructional Oversight

• Provide leadership and oversight for ESOL and Adult Education programming
• Supervise, mentor, and support instructors through classroom observations, coaching, and professional development
• Ensure high‑quality curriculum, lesson planning, and instructional delivery (in‑person and online)
• Coordinate assessments, including BEST Plus testing, and ensure compliance with program standards
• Lead staff meetings, trainings, and continuous improvement efforts

Student Support & Program Coordination

• Advise students academically and support transitions into employment, training, or continued education
• Coordinate recruitment, enrollment, orientations, and retention strategies
• Maintain accurate and timely data entry in required systems
• Ensure compliance with funding, program, and reporting requirements
• Collaborate across programs to strengthen service delivery and participant outcomes

Financial Empowerment & VITA Program Management

• Lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Financial Empowerment initiatives
• Oversee all aspects of the VITA tax program, ensuring compliance with IRS regulations and quality standards

Recruit, Train, and Supervise VITA Volunteers

• Manage tax site operations, including intake, scheduling, and client services
• Maintain reporting, track outcomes, and resolve filing issues
• Conduct outreach and build partnerships
• Ensure client satisfaction and workflow management
• Collaborate with HR for onboarding and offboarding of volunteers

Financial Literacy & Participant Coaching

• Design and deliver financial literacy workshops
• Integrate financial capability education into Adult Education and ESOL programming
• Provide individual financial coaching
• Support participants in accessing resources that improve financial well‑being

Summary of Role Value

• Integrates education and financial empowerment services
• Expands access to tax preparation and financial literacy
• Improves participant financial stability and outcomes
• Enhances program quality and community impact
• Complete other tasks as assigned and needed

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience, preferred
• Experience teaching ESOL/adult learners
• Experience managing or supporting VITA programs preferred
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
• Strong leadership and organizational skills
• Experience with data systems and reporting
• Ability to work with diverse populations

Additional Requirements

• Availability for evening hours and occasional Saturdays
• Travel between local sites as needed
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Must have a suitable CORI and SORI check completed within the first thirty (30) days of employment
• Ability to work effectively with and meet the needs of people from a wide range of backgrounds, identities, cultures, nationalities and languages that make up the rich complexity of GLCAC employees, partners in the community, and clientele. Everyone is responsible for supporting the agency’s mission of building an environment of fairness and opportunity where people are valued for their unique contributions.

Supervisory Responsibility

Oversight of educators, the Program Assistant and the Program Support Specialist.

Travel

Travel between local sites and conferences as required.

Physical Demands

This job regularly requires the employee to sit, walk and stand as well as use hands repetitively to handle or operate standard office equipment. The employee is occasionally required to kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment and uses standard office equipment, such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, fax machines.