Afterschool Program Manager

YMCA Teen Center; Richmond (CA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free YMCA gym membership

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Paid holidays and paid time off

Leadership development and training

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

YMCA of the East Bay is seeking a dynamic Program Manager to lead the Y Scholars afterschool programs across multiple school communities in West Contra Costa and Oakland. You will supervise Site Coordinators, build strong school partnerships, and drive exceptional learning experiences for hundreds of students.

This hands-on leadership role emphasizes people development, operational excellence, and strategic problem-solving to move programs forward and advance YMCA standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in youth development, education, afterschool programs, expanded learning, or a related field.
• Minimum of 1 year of supervisory, management, or team leadership experience.
• Valid California driver's license and reliable transportation for regular travel between school sites.
• Ability to successfully complete DOJ/FBI background clearance.
• Ability to obtain CPR, First Aid, AED, and Child Abuse Prevention certifications within 30 days of hire (training provided).

Responsibilities

• Lead through Site Coordinators to supervise multiple school-based programs.
• Develop strong teams, nurture leadership, and ensure high-quality student experiences.
• Oversee staffing, scheduling, program implementation, safety, and day-to-day operations across sites.
• Set clear performance standards, provide feedback, and ensure accountability.
• Build partnerships with principals, district leaders, families, and community partners.
• Manage program budgets, resources, and data to drive improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Team supervision

Program management

Staff development

Education

48 college units

CA Instructional Aide Exam eligibility

Job description

LEAD PEOPLE. DRIVE EXCELLENCE. MAKE AN IMPACT.

Are you a leader who brings out the best in people, thrives on solving challenges, and knows how to turn a vision into results?

The YMCA of the East Bay is looking for a dynamic, driven, and people-centered Program Manager to lead our Y Scholars afterschool programs across multiple school communities.

We're looking for someone who doesn't just manage programs but builds strong teams, develops future leaders, takes ownership of challenges, and raises the standard of excellence.

In this role, you'll lead Site Coordinators, strengthen school partnerships, improve program operations, and help create exceptional learning experiences for hundreds of students.

You'll have the opportunity to make meaningful decisions, introduce new ideas, develop talented people, and shape the direction of our programs.

If you're ready to lead with purpose, take on meaningful challenges, and see the impact of your leadership every day, we want to meet you!

About the YMCA Y Scholars Program

We envision a world where every student discovers their purpose and achieves their full potential.

Each day, we elevate youth voice by offering enrichment opportunities that foster leadership, learning, and healthy habits.

Our Y Scholars Program serves elementary and middle school students through engaging afterschool experiences that promote academic achievement, physical activity, creative exploration, and social-emotional growth.

We believe that exceptional programs are built by exceptional teams. That's why we invest in developing our staff, fostering strong school partnerships, and creating a culture where people are empowered to grow, innovate, and succeed.

Does your mission align with ours?

Position Overview

• Start Date: Immediate
• Compensation: $74,000–$80,000 annually, depending on experience
• Status: Full-Time, Exempt
• Typical Schedule: Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–6:30 PM
• Locations: Multiple elementary and middle school sites throughout West Contra Costa and Oakland
• Map of Program Sites: http://map.ymcayscholars.org
• Free YMCA gym membership
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid holidays and paid time off
• Ongoing leadership development and professional training
• Opportunities for career advancement within the YMCA

What You'll Do

As a Program Manager, you'll be responsible for the success of multiple school-based afterschool programs. You'll lead through your Site Coordinators, develop strong teams, and ensure our programs consistently deliver safe, engaging, and high-quality experiences for students.

This is a hands-on leadership role that combines people development, operational management, strategic problem-solving, and relationship building.

You'll spend your time coaching leaders, visiting program sites, strengthening systems, addressing challenges, and working with school and district partners to move our programs forward.

Most importantly, you'll help create a culture where team members feel supported, understand what's expected of them, take ownership of their work, and are motivated to deliver their best.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead and Develop Great Teams: Supervise, mentor, and coach Site Coordinators and program staff. Build leadership capacity, strengthen performance, and create a culture of trust, accountability, and professional growth.
• Champion Program Excellence: Drive continuous improvement in program quality, student engagement, and learning experiences while ensuring alignment with YMCA standards and school district expectations.
• Own Multi-Site Operations: Oversee staffing, scheduling, program implementation, safety, and day-to-day operations across multiple school communities.
• Set Expectations and Drive Accountability: Establish clear performance standards, provide constructive feedback, address concerns promptly, and ensure teams follow through on commitments.
• Build Strong School Partnerships: Develop productive relationships with principals, district leaders, families, and community partners to strengthen collaboration and program success.
• Manage Budgets and Resources: Oversee program budgets, staffing allocations, purchasing, and resources to support efficient and financially responsible operations.
• Turn Data Into Action: Track enrollment, attendance, program performance, and compliance using Airtable, Google Workspace, and other systems. Identify trends and implement strategies to improve results.
• Recruit and Grow Talent: Lead hiring, onboarding, training, and staff development in partnership with YMCA Human Resources. Build a strong pipeline of future program leaders.
• Strengthen Student and Family Experiences: Support positive youth development, family engagement, effective behavior management, and responsive communication.
• Solve Problems and Improve Systems: Anticipate challenges, make informed decisions, implement practical solutions, and develop processes that help teams operate more effectively.
• Advance the YMCA Mission: Contribute to organizational initiatives, fundraising efforts, and opportunities to expand the impact of our programs.

What We’re Looking For

We're looking for a leader who knows that great management is about achieving results through people. You recognize opportunities, take initiative, and follow through.

You know how to encourage and support your team while also having the confidence to set boundaries, address performance concerns, and hold people accountable.

You can move comfortably between big-picture planning and the details of daily operations. When unexpected challenges arise, you stay focused, make thoughtful decisions, and help your team move forward.

Above all, you believe that developing people and delivering excellent programs go hand in hand.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in youth development, education, afterschool programs, expanded learning, or a related field
• Minimum of 1 year of supervisory, management, or team leadership experience
• Completion of at least 48 college units or a passing score on the California Instructional Aide Exam
• Valid California driver's license and reliable transportation for regular travel between school sites
• Ability to successfully complete DOJ/FBI background clearance
• Ability to obtain CPR, First Aid, AED, and Child Abuse Prevention certifications within 30 days of hire (training provided)

You’ll Thrive in This Role If You:

• Bring Out the Best in People: You enjoy coaching, mentoring, and helping others discover what they're capable of achieving.
• Lead With Both Heart and Accountability: You care about your team, communicate expectations clearly, and aren't afraid to have difficult conversations when needed.
• Take Initiative and Ownership: You see challenges as opportunities to act, rather than waiting for someone else to provide the solution.
• Think Big and Execute Well: You can translate ambitious goals into clear action plans, establish priorities, and deliver meaningful results.
• Build Trust and Strong Relationships: You connect authentically with people, navigate different perspectives, and collaborate effectively with staff, families, and school partners.
• Make Decisions With Confidence: You use sound judgment, seek relevant information, and take decisive action even when circumstances are changing.
• Stay Organized and Adaptable: You can manage multiple school sites, competing priorities, and unexpected situations without losing sight of what matters most.
• Use Data to Get Better: You pay attention to performance, ask thoughtful questions, and use information to improve programs and systems.
• Communicate Clearly and Professionally: You know how to provide feedback, resolve conflicts, and inspire others through effective communication.
• Never Stop Growing: You welcome feedback, reflect on your leadership, and continuously look for ways to improve yourself and your team.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described below are representative of those necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to perform essential job duties and supervise program activities
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds
• Frequent standing, walking, and bending throughout the workday
• Ability to walk for extended periods and move between program spaces
• Visual ability to effectively monitor activities in indoor and outdoor environments
• Mobility to respond promptly to emergencies and other situations requiring immediate attention

Why Join Us?

At the YMCA, we believe that leadership is an opportunity to help others succeed while making a meaningful difference in our communities. As a Program Manager, you won't simply maintain existing programs. You'll have the opportunity to build something better, influence how our programs operate, and see the results of your leadership in the people and communities you serve.

Ready to Lead Something Meaningful?

Your decisions can strengthen a program.

Your impact can change the experiences and opportunities of hundreds of students.