Program manager of community - school

Detroit College Access Network; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Detroit College Access Network seeks a Program Manager of Community Hubs to lead initiatives that enhance postsecondary access for Detroit residents. This role includes managing advising services, cultivating community partnerships, and developing programs to support both youth and adult learners in achieving educational goals. With a focus on collaboration and strategic outreach, the manager will play a key role in improving college enrollment and graduation rates across the city. Candidates should have a strong background in education and program management, as well as excellent facilitation and communication skills.

Benefits

Full benefits package (health, dental, vision, life, disability)

403b retirement plan with employer contribution

240 hours of PTO and paid holidays

Qualifications

• 3-5 years managing teams in education-focused organizations.
• Extensive experience in program launching and implementation.
• Content expertise in postsecondary access programs for first-generation students.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and coordination of college access workshops.
• Responsible for scheduling and advising youth and adult learners.
• Cultivate community partnerships to enhance program effectiveness.

Skills

Facilitation skills

Project management

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Coalition-building skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Community Development, or related field

Tools

Google Drive

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Program Manager of Community Hubs

Job Description

Office Location: Detroit, MI
Employee Category: Full-time Employee
Positions Hiring: 1
Anticipated Start Date: July 2025
Salary: (dependent on credentials and experience)
Benefits: Full benefits package includes platinum health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance. It also consists of an education support program, employee development program, 403b retirement plan (with standard 4% employer contribution and up to an additional 3% match), 240 hours of PTO, paid holidays, paid maternity/paternity/adoption leave, employee assistance program (providing resources to support employees with finances, legal issues, mental health and more including free professional consultations) and a fun, engaging work environment. Reports to: Program Director of Community Hubs ________________________________________________________________________________________

About Detroit College Access Network

The Detroit College Access Network (DCAN) is a collaborative network between local schools, organizations, and the community. The network's mission is to promote higher education in Detroit and make a college degree or credential a reality for students in Detroit.

DCAN serves as the citywide coordinating body for Detroit's college access and enrollment strategies. We are a network of organizations–bigger than any one program or initiative–using collective impact to align and connect existing programs, schools, businesses, and community resources to improve college enrollment and graduation rates for all Detroit students.

About Detroit College Access Network Community Hubs

Detroit College Access Network (DCAN), in collaboration with The Jamie and Denise Jacob Foundation, is establishing a Detroit College Access Network Community Hub. The Community Hub will be community-led and DCAN-owned; it will provide the space and infrastructure to align better and amplify the work of DCAN and critical partners while also bringing together key college access and success partners across the city to promote lessons-learned, best practices, multi-generational college advising and wraparound supports.

The placement of Detroit College Access Network Community Hubs will be attentive to achieving an equitable and diverse spread across geographic locations and populations within and around Detroit to maximize accessibility and use of services. These Hubs will provide new programming to support college access and success and a “storefront” for current programming offered through DCAN and its collaborative partners. It will build on the expertise of DCAN’s experience networking with local high schools and college access organizations to serve youth and adults in the city.

Three core goals anchor the activities of Community Hubs: community engagement and partnerships, the provision of emergency grants, and drop-in and case-managed advising. The Detroit College Access Network Community Hubs will aim to improve postsecondary access, persistence, and completion for as many as 12,000 Detroiters annually.

Goals of Detroit College Access Network

Much like the goals for the State of Michigan, Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), and Detroit Drives Degrees, we aim for 60% of Detroit residents to complete a postsecondary credential by 2030.

Candidate Summary

We are looking for an experienced professional who has an excellent track record in student advising at either the secondary or postsecondary level that leads to improved student experiences across the postsecondary access and success journey.

This individual has superb facilitation skills and experience working with youth and families. They should have a proven track record of impact on program management with and for youth and adults. This individual has content knowledge expertise in programs focused on postsecondary access for first-generation students and adult learners. They also have a strong understanding of the K-12 education pipeline in Detroit.

The best candidate operates strongly and robustly with teams yet is intrinsically motivated; holds themselves accountable, is driven to pursue excellence in their work with passion and integrity; and is extremely comfortable managing up. They will also have a vast depth and breadth of secondary and postsecondary experience and knowledge focused on engaging youth & families, school systems, community partners, and other stakeholders.

Education

● Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Community Development, or a related field.

Experience

● Leadership experience working/engaging with a mission-driven organization committed to education, positive youth development, equity and/or justice, and postsecondary access & success.
● Extensive experience launching and implementing new initiatives, programs, and/or initiatives.
● At least 3-5 years of full-time, paid professional experience.
● At least 3-5 years of experience managing a team of full & part-time staff, consultants, partners, facilitators, etc.
● 3-5 years of experience working with youth-focused organizations, community partnerships, and secondary and post-secondary institutions in metro Detroit.
● At least 3-5 years of experience developing, leading, and facilitating programs.
● Previous experience as a College Access or Higher Education Advisor is preferred. ● Project and program management experience is required.

Core Responsibilities

● Responsible for drop-in advising (scheduling, performing, and follow-up) of youth and adult learners.
● Lead the development, scheduling, and coordinating of field trips (college tours, summer enrichment, etc.).
● Develop and facilitate college access & success workshops and training for youth, families, and adult learners.
● Provide case management and support to youth and adult learners to track progress goals.
● Assist students in mitigating barriers to postsecondary access and success.
● Actively cultivate relationships with external and community partners in support of strategic goals.
● Manage 3 seasonal drop-in advisors.
● Act as a strategic thinking partner.

● Partnership Engagement and Program Management (90%)

○ Lead and support the Detroit College Access and Success Community Hubs in building strong and lasting relationships with internal and external partners, students, parents, and community members.
○ Facilitate workshops internally and externally focused on postsecondary access and success topics, personal and professional development, and navigating systems for youth and adult learners.
○ Provide advising support for youth, families, and adult learners
○ Coordinate enrichment experiences and field trips to expose learners to existing and emerging postsecondary opportunities.
○ Support youth and adult learners in creating achievable postsecondary plans.
○ Lead targeted partnership engagement with local College Access & Success Community Based Organizations to ensure student involvement and program retention.

● Administrative Support (5%)
○ Hire, onboard, train, and supervise a team of 3 seasonal drop-in advisors.

● Research and Data Analysis (5%)
○ Research and implement best practices for youth development, college and career access, and community engagement.
○ Support the writing and editing of strategic plans, implementation plans, feasibility studies, and reports based on research, community conversations, and data analysis findings.

Skill Sets

● Understanding the secondary/postsecondary ecosystem, positive youth development, and college access and success frameworks.
● Exemplary knowledge of education, college and career readiness, youth development best practices and frameworks, and the ability to move from knowledge to implementation.
● Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and presentation).
● Strong research and analytical skills.
● Superior organization skills, detail-oriented, and dedicated to completing projects promptly.
● Ability to work proactively to forecast, manage, and mitigate challenges.
● Ability to mobilize people and resources for project success.
● Exemplary facilitation skills from planning to execution and follow-up.
● Comfortable engaging internal and external stakeholders.
● Ability to create deep and meaningful collaboration with team members and functional leaders.
● Strong problem-solving skills, including proactively identifying management concerns and creating solutions.
● Intrinsically motivated with an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
● Relentless focus on program impact and partner/client success in facing challenges and obstacles.
● Excels in constantly changing environments and adapts flexibly in shifting projects or priorities to meet the needs of youth, parents, and community members; comfortable with ambiguity and non-routine situations.
● Excellent coalition-building skills with an ability to communicate and work effectively with various internal and external stakeholders, including partners, clients, youth, community members, and government officials.
● Exemplary project management skills that demonstrate strong organization and planning habits.
● Proficiency in Google Drive with expertise in Google Docs, Google Slides, and Google Spreadsheets.
● Proficiency in Microsoft Office with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint expertise.
● Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat is preferred but not required.

Mindsets

● You understand how to pair strategy with community and cultural context to partner with communities.
● You are passionate about the work you do.
● You believe in delivering nothing less than excellence—process, presentation, and communication are all equally important.
● You have an unwavering commitment to integrity (non-negotiable).

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Applying for the Program Manager of Community Hubs Role

Thank you for considering Detroit College Access Network as your next opportunity to lead mission-driven work in partnership with communities across Detroit.

All applications are due by May 23, 2025. Applicants will be contacted with the next steps based on a first review of all applications.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Kendra Agee, Program Director of Graduate 313: [e-mail]

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

DCAN provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

We look forward to reviewing your application! Thank you for your commitment to mission-driven work!

Job Type: Full-time

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• 1. Describe your experience advising youth on postsecondary access and persistence. What specific strategies or tools have you used to support first-generation students?
• 2. What conceptual framework or theory guides your approach to supporting youth in their postsecondary journey? How have you applied this framework in your work?
• 3. How have you used data to inform your work with youth? What CRMs are you familiar with?

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Detroit, MI 48226