Program Manager

opportunitiesforabettertomorrowinc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (OBT) is seeking an experienced, mission-driven Program Manager for the HRA Workforce Development Programs in New York City. You will lead day-to-day operations, supervise staff, and coordinate with partners to implement CDL, construction, security and other sector-based training tracks to achieve participant outcomes.

You will ensure contract compliance, develop systems and workflows, monitor performance, and drive continuous improvement across recruitment,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field is required; a master's degree is preferred.
• Minimum five years of progressive experience in workforce development or related fields.
• Experience with government-funded contracts and performance metrics is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day operational leadership for HRA-funded programs.
• Oversee program implementation across recruitment, enrollment, training, and retention.
• Develop and maintain systems and SOPs to support growth and QA.
• Monitor participant progress and drive employment outcomes.
• Ensure contract compliance and timely reporting.
• Lead staff supervision, coaching, and professional development.
• Build employer partnerships and sector-based training collaborations.

Skills

Program leadership

Contract compliance

Data management

Staff supervision

Communication

Equity & inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Salesforce

OSOS

HRA systems

Job description

The HRA PINCC Program is a New York City workforce development initiative that connects low‑income and young New Yorkers to apprenticeships and good‑paying, union jobs in construction, transportation, industrial, maintenance, and building services. Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (OBT) seeks an experienced, mission-driven Program Manager, HRA Workforce Development Programs to provide operational leadership for a growing portfolio of HRA-funded workforce initiatives. The Program Manager will oversee day-to-day program implementation, staff supervision, participant success strategies, contract compliance, and performance outcomes across multiple sector-based career pathways, including Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Construction, Security, and future training programs as they are developed.

Program Leadership & Operations

• Provide day-to-day operational leadership for HRA-funded workforce development programs.
• Oversee program implementation across recruitment, enrollment, training, case management, employment services, and retention activities.
• Develop and maintain systems, workflows, and standard operating procedures that support program growth, quality assurance, and participant success.
• Ensure effective coordination among case managers, outreach staff, instructors, job developers, training vendors, and external partners.
• Monitor participant progress and implement strategies to improve attendance, engagement, completion, credential attainment, and employment outcomes.
• Lead regular program meetings and case conferencing sessions to address participant needs, program challenges, and performance goals.
• Assist with launching new training initiatives and expanding sector-based career pathways as funding opportunities emerge.

Recruitment, Enrollment & Participant Success

• Oversee outreach, recruitment, screening, intake, and enrollment activities to meet contract goals.
• Develop recruitment strategies in partnership with community organizations, referral agencies, employers, and HRA.
• Ensure participants receive quality orientation, assessment, service planning, and career coaching.
• Support staff in addressing barriers to participation, employment, and long‑term retention.
• Monitor participant engagement and implement interventions designed to improve retention and successful completion.

Staff Supervision & Team Development

• Supervise assigned program staff, including case managers, outreach personnel, coordinators, and other direct reports.
• Conduct regular supervision meetings, performance coaching, and professional development planning.
• Support employee onboarding, training, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Foster a strengths-based, participant-centered culture aligned with OBT's values of Integrity, Excellence, Empowerment, and Accountability.
• Promote cross‑functional collaboration among workforce development teams.

Contract Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with all HRA, OBT, city, state, and federal regulations governing workforce development programs.
• Monitor program operations to ensure adherence to participant eligibility requirements, contract deliverables, documentation standards, and performance benchmarks.
• Ensure participants have equitable access to services and that all activities are conducted in accordance with non-discrimination, accessibility, and language access requirements.
• Oversee implementation of reasonable accommodation procedures and ensure participants are informed of their rights, responsibilities, grievance procedures, and available support services.
• Ensure required notices, participant rights information, and compliance materials are properly maintained and displayed at all program sites.
• Conduct routine file reviews, quality assurance checks, and compliance monitoring activities to maintain audit readiness.
• Maintain accurate participant and program records and ensure timely submission of required reports and documentation.
• Support contract monitoring visits, audits, corrective action plans, and funder reviews.
• Train and coach staff on compliance requirements, documentation standards, customer service expectations, confidentiality, and participant rights.
• Identify operational and compliance risks and implement continuous improvement strategies to strengthen program performance and service quality.

Industry Training & Employer Partnerships

• Coordinate workforce training activities across CDL, Construction, Security, and future sector-based programs.
• Maintain strong relationships with training providers, industry partners, unions, employers, and apprenticeship programs.
• Support job placement and retention strategies that align with industry demand.
• Collaborate with employer partners to identify hiring trends and workforce needs.
• Ensure participants are connected to employment, advanced training, and career advancement opportunities.

Data Management & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure accurate and timely data entry in Salesforce, OSOS, HRA systems, and other required databases.
• Analyze program data to identify trends, performance gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop tracking tools, dashboards, and reports that support organizational decision‑making.
• Promote a culture of accountability and data‑informed program management.
• Implement continuous improvement strategies that strengthen participant outcomes and contract performance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated commitment to OBT's mission of advancing economic mobility through education, workforce development, and employment services.
• Experience working effectively with individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, including individuals facing barriers to employment.
• Strong understanding of workforce development, career pathway programming, case management, participant engagement, and employment services.
• Proven leadership experience overseeing workforce development, education, youth development, human services, or community-based programs.
• Demonstrated success achieving performance outcomes related to enrollment, attendance, retention, completion, credential attainment, job placement, and employment retention.
• Experience managing government-funded contracts and performance-based programs, with knowledge of compliance, reporting, documentation, and quality assurance requirements.
• Ability to develop, implement, and improve operational systems, workflows, and processes that strengthen service delivery and program performance.
• Strong staff supervision, coaching, team development, and performance management skills.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and problem‑solving abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong data management, reporting, analysis, and continuous improvement skills, including the ability to use data to drive decision‑making and program outcomes.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with participants, staff, employers, funders, community partners, educational institutions, training providers, and government agencies.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven environment.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, participant‑centered practices, and strengths‑based service delivery.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Education, Public Administration, Business Administration, Workforce Development, or a related field required.
• Master's degree or equivalent combination of advanced education, training, and relevant professional experience preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in workforce development, education, human services, youth development, or related community-based programming.
• Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory or program leadership experience with responsibility for staff development, program operations, and performance management.
• Experience overseeing contract-funded programs and ensuring compliance with funder requirements, deliverables, and performance benchmarks.
• Experience working with HRA, DYCD, Workforce1, SNAP Employment & Training, TANF, or other publicly funded workforce programs strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting sector-based training initiatives such as construction, transportation, security, healthcare, technology, or skilled trades preferred.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint.
• Experience utilizing participant management and reporting systems such as Salesforce, OSOS, PTS, HRA systems, or comparable databases preferred.
• Ability to analyze performance data, produce reports, and monitor program outcomes using multiple data systems.

Salary

• $80-85,000