Program Manager

The Simple Good; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Paid leave

Health insurance

Mileage reimbursement

Cell phone reimbursement

Job summary

The Simple Good seeks an experienced Program Manager to lead day-to-day programming across Chicago. You will supervise Teaching Artists, manage school and community partners, and drive data-driven improvements to arts-based SEL curricula.

Ideal candidates have 3+ years in education or arts programming, with strong coaching skills, project management, and the ability to travel to program sites across the city. This is a full-time role with competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in education, youth development, or arts programming.
• 2+ years supervising/coaching staff, teachers, or teaching artists.
• Skilled in writing lesson plans and using assessments.
• Proficiency in collecting data and writing clear, accurate reports.
• Strong organization and ability to manage several programs.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication.
• Ability to travel to program sites across Chicago.
• Pass background check and mandated reporter training in Illinois.
• Knowledge of SEL frameworks (CASEL) and arts mindfulness.
• Experience with budgets and grant reporting.
• Able to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Own a car for travel between sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and train Teaching Artists (38%).
• Recruit, onboard, supervise Teaching Artists and interns; plan coaching cycles; observe sites; evaluations twice a year.
• Assign Teaching Artists to programs; approve hours; problem solve.
• Design and lead professional development; create training materials and model lessons; newsletters.
• Administration and communication: respond to emails/Slack; handle pre/post program communications; write partner newsletters.
• Community engagement: co-lead Ambassador Program; recruit volunteers; lead family outreach; plan appreciation events; engage supporters.
• Programs and partners: main contact for school/partners; site visits; develop new programs; coordinate schedules and logistics.
• Data and reporting: collect pre/post assessments; write reports for funders; share stories with marketing.
• Curriculum: design arts-based SEL curricula; write lesson plans; create assessments; contribute to projects.
• Grants and proposals: write proposals; track funder requirements.
• Budgets: track spending; submit expense reports; manage grant funds.

Skills

Education leadership

Staff coaching

Lesson planning

Data reporting

Organization

Communication

Travel to sites

Background check

CASEL knowledge

Grant reporting

Physical lift

Car ownership

Education

Bachelor's degree in education, art, social work, or related field

Tools

Slack

Monday.com

Job description

About TSG

Mental health thrives on connection: to self, to others, and to a sense of shared meaning. No matter where you are in the world, good means the same to us all, and that is what connects us as a world. The mission of The Simple Good is to restore this connection through art, mindfulness, and social-emotional learning. We help young people find and name the good in themselves and the world around them, building the resilience and connection they need for positive mental health.

TSG is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves more than 700 youth each year across 40+ Chicago neighborhoods, with a focus on South and West Side communities.

The role

The Program Manager runs TSG's day-to-day programming. You will supervise and coach our Teaching Artists, manage school and community partners, track and report program results, and help build our arts-based SEL curriculum.

We are looking for an experienced educator who has coached teachers or teaching artists, can keep several programs running at once, and uses data to improve them.

What you will do

Lead, coach, and train Teaching Artists (38%)

• Recruit, onboard, and supervise Teaching Artists and interns.
• Plan and lead coaching cycles, observe Teaching Artists at program sites, and complete evaluations twice a year.
• Assign Teaching Artists to programs, approve their hours, and solve problems as they come up.
• Design and lead professional development, including training materials and recorded model lessons.
• Send regular Teaching Artist newsletters

Administration and communication (14%)

• Respond promptly to email and Slack messages from Teaching Artists, partners, and staff.
• Handle communication before and after programs and events.
• Write program update newsletters for partners.

Community engagement (14%)

• Co-lead TSG's Ambassador Program.
• Recruit and coordinate volunteers for showcases and events, including City of Big Dreams and Hunt for Good.
• Lead family outreach and survey families, partners, and supporters.
• Thank supporters, donors, and volunteers, and help plan two appreciation events each year.
• Connect with supporters at TSG events and fundraisers.

Programs and partners (11%)

• Serve as the main contact for school and community partners, including After School Matters and DFSS.
• Visit program sites to check quality, and teach when needed.
• Find new partners and set up new programs.
• Coordinate schedules, site setup, supplies, field trips, and student showcases.

Data and reporting (11%)

• Collect pre/post assessments and other program data in Monday.com.
• Write accurate, on-time reports for partners, funders, and leadership.
• Share student success stories with the marketing team.

Curriculum (7%)

• Design arts-based SEL curricula for specific student groups, based on research and educational standards.
• Write lesson plans that Teaching Artists can deliver consistently at every site.
• Create formative and summative assessments.
• Contribute to special projects such as art activity books.

Grants and proposals (5%)

• Write program proposals and contribute to grant applications.
• Track grant requirements so programs meet funder deliverables, deadlines, and documentation rules.

Budgets (across all areas)

• Track program spending and keep budgets on plan.
• Submit monthly expense reports and look for cost savings.
• Spend grant funds according to funder rules.

What you bring

Required

• 3+ years of experience in education, youth development, or arts programming.
• 2+ years supervising or coaching staff, teachers, or teaching artists.
• Skilled in writing lesson plans and using assessments.
• Proficiency in collecting data and writing clear, accurate reports.
• Strong organization and the ability to manage several programs at once.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication.
• Ability to travel to program sites across Chicago.
• Ability to pass a background check and complete Illinois mandated reporter training before working with youth.
• Knowledge of SEL frameworks such as CASEL and arts-based or mindfulness practices.
• Experience with program budgets and grant reporting.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Ownership or use of a car for travel between program sites.

Preferred

• Experience working with Chicago schools or community partners, especially on the South and West Sides.
• Familiarity with Slack and Monday.com.
• Bachelor's degree in education, art, social work, or a related field.
• Experience designing curriculum and writing program proposals.

Position details

Reports to:

Senior Leadership.

Supervises:

Teaching Artists, interns, and volunteers.

Schedule:

Full-time, including some evenings and weekends.

Location:

Chicago, with travel to program sites across the city.

Compensation:

$60,000 to $65,000 per year, depending on experience.

Start date:

November 2026

Benefits

• 12 paid holidays.
• 40 hours of Paid Leave and 40 hours of Paid Sick Leave per year.
• Employer-paid health insurance contribution.
• Mileage and cell phone reimbursement for work use.

TSG is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants from the communities we serve to apply.