Program Manager, Bay Area

Writopia Lab; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401K plan with employer match

Paid Holidays

Paid Vacation Days

Job summary

Writopia Lab is seeking a Program Manager in Oakland to enhance program delivery, visibility, and partnerships in the Bay Area. This role involves overseeing workshop administration, community outreach, and instructing creative writing workshops for children and teens.

The ideal candidate will have experience in program management and a passion for youth engagement. The position provides a supportive environment for developing creative writing skills in young writers.

Qualifications

• One year experience at a non-profit organization, preferably youth-focused.
• Two years experience with administration and/or operations.
• Enthusiasm and experience working with youth.

Responsibilities

• Assist with workshop registration and communication between staff and parents.
• Coordinate inventory and distribution of workshop supplies.
• Develop community engagement and partnerships to support program growth.

Skills

Customer service experience

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Youth engagement

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree

Tools

Google Sheets

Social media platforms

Job description

Overview

Writopia Lab is an award-winning 501(C)(3) nonprofit that runs creative writing workshops for kids ages 4 to 18. Since its formation in New York City in 2007, Writopia Lab has grown into a nationwide community of young writers. Our mission is to foster joy, literacy, and critical thinking in children and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing. We create a safe and engaging space for writers, and we aim to provide the creative inspiration, individual attention, and intellectual environment that may not be available to them at school.

Job Summary

The Program Manager is responsible for supporting the delivery, growth, and visibility of Writopia Lab’s programs in the San Francisco Bay Area through program administration, community outreach, partnership development, and instructing workshops in accordance with Writopia Lab’s mission and pedagogy. The person in this position reports to and collaborates closely with the Regional Manager to cultivate and maintain relationships with schools, libraries, and community partners. The Program Manager will interact with internal teams as well as parents/guardians who enroll their kids and teens in workshops, facilitating positive communication and efficient and effective running of programs. This position takes the lead in maintaining the physical workshop spaces, including anticipating and addressing needs for spaces.

Key Responsibilities

Program Management (60%)

• Assist with workshop registration, enrollment, and communication between staff and parents.
• Coordinate the inventory and distribution of workshop supplies, including snacks, writing materials, and office supplies at all in‑person Writopia locations in the Bay Area.
• Develop and manage Bay Area community engagement and strategic partnerships with schools, libraries, and community‑based organizations to support program growth and revenue.
• Represent the organization at community events like street fairs, school fairs, and other public engagement events.
• Support online and in‑person program operations for West Coast locations outside the Bay Area when needed.
• Collaborate with the Regional Manager on marketing initiatives; lead efforts on content creation, design, social media engagement, and identifying target audiences.

Workshop Instruction (40%)

• Lead in‑person and off‑site workshops and private sessions for children and teens in accordance with Writopia’s pedagogy.
• Engage with young writers on a group and individual basis, encourage setting and achieving writing goals in a fun and productive way.
• Foster a supportive, collaborative, safe workshop environment where writers feel comfortable expressing themselves.
• Navigate workshop dynamics, ensuring writers of different abilities, strengths, and affinities feel included and inspired.
• Provide strength‑based feedback to writers regularly in the workshop and complete end‑of‑trimester written feedback for families.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree preferred
• One year experience at a non‑profit organization, preferably one that is youth‑services centered
• Two years experience with administration and/or operations
• Experience in a public‑facing customer service role, preferably at a non‑profit
• Enthusiasm and experience working with youth
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Knowledge of the Google platform, especially Google sheets; willingness to learn new technology tools
• Knowledge of social media platforms and conventions
• Published fiction and/or nonfiction and/or produced plays preferred

Schedule & Location

This is an in‑person position at our Oakland location, with regular travel within the San Francisco Bay Area.
The typical work schedule is Tuesday - Saturday, 40 hours per week; daily schedule varies and will generally be eight hours per day falling within the hours of 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM.

Compensation

The annual salary for this position is $70,000

Employer‑Funded Benefits

• Medical Insurance (employer pays 98% of premium for primary plan, though other options are available)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401K plan with employer match
• Long‑Term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program, Life Care‑offers resources for managing your legal and financial affairs, care for elders, care for children, wellness
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation Days

Employee‑Funded Benefits

• Pre‑tax Flexible Spending Account (medical and/or dependent care)
• Pre‑tax Commuter Benefit Account
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Voluntary Short Term Disability Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• MetLifeLegal Assistance

Applying for the Job

If you are excited by the idea of joining a community of writers and helping children and teens learn to love and sharpen their writing skills, please apply! We require a cover letter with your application. Please do not submit cover letters or other application materials generated by AI.

To find out more information regarding who we are and what we do here at Writopia Lab, please visit our website at www.writopialab.org.

The hiring process involves three interviews, and two short exercises on spreadsheet and writing abilities.

Writopia Lab uses E‑Verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.

Writopia Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Writopia Lab does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non‑disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or on any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

If you need accommodation during the application or interview process, please request in advance.

No phone calls, emails, or drop ins, please.