Program Manager

Pivotal; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Benefits

401(k) with employer matching

Paid time off and holidays

Hybrid/onsite schedule

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) & Coma

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Pivotal is seeking a Program Manager to lead planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs supporting scholars in foster care. You will manage grant-funded initiatives, college access experiences, and workforce development while ensuring contract deliverables and reporting align with funder requirements.

You will collaborate across teams and external partners to expand opportunities, drive continuous improvement, and advance our mission with data-informed programming.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field.
• 7–10 years of professional experience, with four in a team management role.
• Experience working directly with clients from underserved populations.
• Strong ability to synthesize complex information and communicate succinctly.
• Superior presentation, writing, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated success developing and evaluating program models.
• Strong project management skills overseeing complex, multifaceted projects.
• Strong track record in building and stewarding partnerships with community organizations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning, management, and reporting of multiple county and grant-funded programs.
• Develop compelling, data-informed reports and presentations for funders and leadership.
• Establish systems to track performance, outcomes, and scholar engagement.
• Coordinate college tours and build partnerships with colleges and educational stakeholders.
• Lead Career Coaching Program design, implementation, and outcomes.
• Build partnerships with employers and workforce organizations.
• Support alumni engagement and external relations.
• Collaborate with Development on donor communications and events.
• Manage CHW program operations and ensure compliance.
• Deliver professional development and cross-team collaboration.

Skills

Data-driven reporting

Program management

Stakeholder comms

Grant reporting

Project coordination

Presentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

Job description

Job title: Program Manager

Department: Programs

Reports to: Vice President, Programs

Date: August 2026

About Pivotal

Pivotal supports young people in and from foster care to realize their educational and career goals and ensure their equitable access to opportunity. We envision a community in which every young person gets the education, career, and life they want for themselves. In support of this vision and mission, Pivotal provides highly individualized academic and career-oriented services to current and former foster youth at the secondary and post-secondary levels. Pivotal also works with community stakeholders to effect systemic change in the opportunities offered to scholars from the foster care system.

About Pivotal

Pivotal supports young people in and from foster care to realize their educational and career goals and ensure their equitable access to opportunity. We envision a community in which every young person gets the education, career, and life they want for themselves. In support of this vision and mission, Pivotal provides highly individualized academic and career-oriented services to current and former foster youth at the secondary and post-secondary levels. Pivotal also works with community stakeholders to effect systemic change in the opportunities offered to scholars from the foster care system.

Pivotal is a dynamic, fast-growing organization that challenges staff to reflect and grow to remain ever more responsive to our scholars, providing the highest quality services. Our approach is data-driven and evidence-based.

At Pivotal, we acknowledge and celebrate the power in diversity. Our collaborative culture promotes innovation and benefits our team, the scholars we serve, and our community as a whole. Pivotal is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

Job Summary

The Program Manager leads the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs that support PIVOTAL's scholars. This position oversees grant-funded initiatives, career readiness programming, college access experiences, and strategic partnerships while ensuring program goals, reporting requirements, and community impact objectives are achieved. The Program Manager collaborates across teams and with external stakeholders to expand opportunities for scholars, strengthen partnerships, drive continuous improvement, and advance PIVOTAL's mission through high-quality, data-informed programming.

Key Responsibilities

Program Planning, Management & Reporting

• Own the successful execution of multiple county and grant-funded programs by ensuring contract deliverables, reporting requirements, and compliance obligations are met accurately and on schedule
• Lead the development of compelling, data-informed reports, narratives, and presentations that communicate program outcomes, organizational impact, and return on investment to funders, partners, and leadership
• Establish systems for tracking program performance, outcomes, and scholar engagement, using data and feedback to drive continuous improvement and strategic decision-making
• Anticipate, identify, and resolve operational and programmatic challenges to ensure effective service delivery and achievement of organizational goals

College Access & Educational Enrichment

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of college tour experiences that increase scholars' exposure to post-secondary opportunities and support college readiness goals
• Develop and maintain partnerships with colleges, universities, and educational stakeholders to expand access to meaningful educational experiences for scholars
• Design college exploration opportunities that align with organizational priorities and support scholars in making informed decisions about their educational pathways

Career Readiness & Workforce Development

• Oversee the organization’s Career Coaching Program, driving program design, implementation, participant engagement, and outcome achievement
• Build and strengthen partnerships with employers, workforce development organizations, and career readiness providers to expand career exploration and employment opportunities for scholars and alumni
• Develop and execute recruitment, engagement, and retention strategies that maximize participation and successful completion of career coaching and workforce development programs
• Evaluate program effectiveness and participant outcomes, implementing enhancements that increase program impact and participant success

Alumni Engagement & Community Partnerships

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the PIVOTAL Alumni Council to foster alumni engagement, support programmatic goals, strengthen alumni networks, and identify opportunities for mutual collaboration and impact
• Cultivate and steward strategic partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, employers, and other stakeholders to expand resources and opportunities for scholars and alumni
• Represent PIVOTAL with external partners and stakeholders to advance the organization's mission, visibility, and community impact

Development & External Relations

• Serve as the primary program liaison to the Development team, providing timely and accurate program data, impact stories, scholar outcomes, and other information necessary to support fundraising and donor engagement efforts
• Partner with Development staff to successfully execute donor, funder, scholar, alumni, and community engagement events that advance organizational goals and strengthen stakeholder relationships
• Translate program outcomes and impact into compelling stories and presentations that support grant applications, donor stewardship, community engagement, and organizational visibility

Community Health Worker (CHW) Program Management

• Lead the ongoing management of the Community Health Worker (CHW) pilot program, ensuring achievement of program objectives, compliance requirements, and reporting obligations
• Oversee program operations, systems, and partner coordination to ensure accurate service tracking, documentation, credentialing, and scholar support
• Monitor program performance and emerging trends, providing recommendations to improve effectiveness, sustainability, and long-term program success

Training & Organizational Collaboration

• Design, facilitate, and oversee professional development opportunities, workshops, and trainings that build knowledge, skills, and engagement among scholars, alumni, staff, and community partners
• Partner with cross-functional teams to align programming, share best practices, and contribute to organization-wide initiatives and strategic priorities
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation through leadership, knowledge sharing, and active participation in organizational planning efforts

Other Duties or Projects as Assigned

Knowledge, Skills And Experience

PIVOTAL values a combination of education, experience, and training that demonstrates the ability to be a great fit for PIVOTAL and this role. We encourage applicants to apply even if they may not meet all the listed qualifications.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field (psychology, education, etc.)
• 7-10 years of professional experience, with four of those in a team management role
• Experience working directly with clients from underserved populations
• Strong ability to synthesize complex information and communicate it succinctly
• Superior presentation, writing, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with exceptional attention to details
• Demonstrated success developing and evaluating program models
• Strong project management skills overseeing complex, multifaceted projects resulting in measurable successes and program growth
• Strong track record in building and stewarding partnerships with community organizations to enhance initiatives and objectives

Strongly Preferred

• Deep knowledge of the foster care system
• Ability and desire to relate to, and work with, a diverse team serving a diverse student population
• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity

Highly Desirable

• Knowledge of workforce development programs

Compensation And Benefits

• Position Type: Full-time, exempt position
• Hiring Range: $95,100 to $106,305, based on experience and qualifications
• Medical Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance with 100% employer-covered premiums (depending on plan selection)
• Insurance Coverage: Life insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Additional Benefits: Flexible Spending Account (FSA), commuter benefits, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with up to a 4% employer matching contribution
• Paid Time Off: 15 days of vacation accrual during the first year, with increased accrual based on tenure
• Paid Holidays: 12 paid holidays annually, plus a holiday break in December
• Family Support: Generous family leave and workplace accommodations available to eligible employees

Work Conditions

This position is currently classified as hybrid and is subject to change as per PIVOTAL’s in-office policy. Candidate is expected to work in the main San Jose office at least 2 days per week, with additional in-office attendance as needed for meetings, events, or program needs. Candidate must have flexibility to work on-site, remotely, or in a hybrid environment as needed. This position involves mandatory meetings at PIVOTAL’s main San Jose office and other various Bay Area locations for events or other needs.

This position will spend time sitting and using office equipment and computers.

The successful candidate will be required to have a full background check, comply with PIVOTAL’s COVID requirements as per current policy at the time of hire, and provide TB clearance.

This position includes some evening and weekend hours as required by supervisor.

Candidates will be required to transport scholars as needed and must maintain appropriate current driver’s insurance and participate in the DMV pull program.

All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors.

If you need any assistance or accommodation in the application process, feel free to reach out to us at [phone].