Student Program Manager

The Union League of Philadelphia; Valley Forge (PA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

Dental Insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

401(k) plan with Company Match

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Paid Holidays, Bereavement, and Jury/D

Job summary

The Union League of Philadelphia is seeking a Student Program Manager to lead, coordinate, and execute Founding Forward’s student programs at the Valley Forge Campus. You will be the primary on-site contact for logistics, staffing, and participant communication.

Responsibilities include program planning, staff supervision, budget tracking, and collaboration with educators, schools, and partners to recruit students and gather feedback for continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Two to four years of experience in education, nonprofit programs, youth development, event coordination, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating projects or events involving multiple stakeholders and deadlines.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, scheduling, and on-site execution of Founding Forward’s student programs at the Valley Forge Campus.
• Coordinate with program staff and facilities to ensure housing, spaces, and materials are ready.
• Manage budgets, expenses, and program documentation.

Skills

Organizational skills

Written & verbal communication

Project coordination

Microsoft 365

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Education/work experience 2–4 years in nonprofit/education

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft 365

Job description

Job Description

Student Program Manager
Location:Valley Forge Campus (Founding Forward, 1601 Valley Forge Road, Valley Forge, PA 19462)
Reports To:Vice President of Student Programs
Status:Full-time, exempt

About Founding Forward

Founding Forward is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to informing and engaging citizens through transformational educational experiences grounded in American history. These experiences empower students, educators, and communities to understand, appreciate, and practice the principles, rights, and responsibilities of American citizenship. Founding Forward operates from two main locations: the Sir John Templeton Heritage Center, a research, exhibit, and programming space at The Union League of Philadelphia, and a 75-acre educational campus in Valley Forge, PA. The Valley Forge Campus serves as the primary site for Founding Forward’s residential and immersive student programs.

Position Summary

The Student Program Manager leads the day-to-day planning, coordination, and on-site execution of Founding Forward’s student programs at the Valley Forge Campus, working closely with the Vice President of Student Programs to ensure programs are well-staffed, well-run, and deliver a high-quality experience for students. This role is the primary point of contact for program logistics, program staff, and participant communication, and is expected to lead the student experience on campus, not simply coordinate its logistics, while contributing to program improvement and the development of new offerings. The Vice President of Student Programs sets overall strategic direction, including program development, budgeting, and hiring decisions.

Success in this role is measured by safe, well-executed programs, exceptional student experiences, strong program staff leadership, and effective coordination across campus.

This is a full-time, in-person position based at the Valley Forge Campus. The Student Program Manager may reside year-round in a campus apartment, if desired, to support residential programming and campus operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Execution

Lead the planning, scheduling, and on-site execution of Founding Forward’s student programs, including Spirit of America, Service Learning in Public Policy (SLiPP), the Debate & Leadership Institute, Civic Explorers Day Camp, History Encounters, and future programs, covering activities, transportation, housing assignments, and daily logistics. Partner with the Vice President of Student Programs on new initiatives, program improvements, and post-program evaluation.

Program Staff Leadership

Lead program staff throughout the season, from onboarding and training through day-to-day supervision, coaching, and scheduling, and help build a program staff team that feels connected to and part of Founding Forward. Maintain staff records and documentation and provide feedback to the Vice President of Student Programs to inform hiring and staffing decisions.

Operations & Administration

Coordinate with facilities, catering, transportation, and other vendors to ensure campus housing, meeting spaces, and program materials are ready ahead of each program. Track program expenses against budget, manage supplies and inventory, and maintain organized financial and program documentation.

Student & Community Engagement

Build and maintain relationships with educators, schools, and community partners to support student recruitment. Serve as the primary point of contact for students and families throughout application, registration, and the program cycle, and support post-program surveys and debriefs.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Two to four years of experience in education, nonprofit programs, youth development, event coordination, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating projects or events involving multiple stakeholders and deadlines.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365.
• Passion for civic education and a commitment to Founding Forward’s mission.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overnight residential programs during peak seasons.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally as needed

Preferred

• Experience leading, coordinating, or supervising program staff or volunteers.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or similar database systems.

Benefits and Compensation

• Employee meals
• Energetic, multi-faceted, team-oriented work atmosphere
• Exposure to a national market
• Opportunitiesforpromotion from within
• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) plan with Company Match
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays, Bereavement, and Jury Duty
• Paid Pregnancy/Parental leave
• Tuition Reimbursement

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This position is based full-time, in-person at the Valley Forge Campus and may include periods of extended standing, walking, and moving program materials. The role requires flexibility to work nontraditional hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and overnight residential programming.

Additional Information

This role is well suited for an individual who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys working with students, and is passionate about civic education, leadership development, and hands-on program leadership.

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