Youth Program Manager

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 50,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading non-profit organization is seeking a Youth Program Manager to oversee youth services and programming. The role focuses on providing direct support to youth K-8, developing curriculum, and fostering community partnerships. Ideal candidates should have experience working with diverse youth and a commitment to equity and social justice.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience working with diverse youth populations.
• Experience managing or coordinating programs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and interest in connecting with youth.

Responsibilities

• Lead programming and direct service to youth participants.
• Develop and implement curriculum for youth programming.
• Support team and logistical coordination.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Flexibility

Teamwork

Confidentiality

Job description

Start Date: August 25, 2025

Pay: $50,000-$63,000/year, experience dependent

Type: exempt, full-time, estimated 40 hours per week

Hours: Program Manager is expected to be on-site for active programming, providing direct service to youth (teaching and tutoring). Hours will vary, but direct service programming times are estimated to be:

• For 20 weeks during school semesters (Spring and Fall), programming may take place

  • two to three weekday evenings (4-6:30)

  • one day per weekend (three-four hours on a Saturday)

• During the Summer, programming will take place all day 8:30-4:30 for an estimated five weeks (Summer Intensive/Camp)

Reports to: Director of Youth Initiatives

Direct Reports: Program Manager will support the Director of Youth Initiatives in supervising and leading the team of part time guides

Organization Summary: For 120 years, GMCC has worked in collaboration with the communities we serve to increase equity and foster well being across Minnesota. Our founding mission “uniting people of faith, serving people in need,” supports a vision where everyone has access to the opportunities and resources necessary to live healthy, fulfilling lives. Our work has included advocacy around equity, poverty, and social justice; mentoring; support services for older adults; youth development and education; hunger relief; housing stability; and recovery support. Today, we provide services in the areas of food, youth, and wellbeing.

GMCC Youth Initiatives include:

• Out-of-school, skill-building STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) programming

• Integrated trauma-informed, whole-child, and studio-based approach to teaching and learning.

• Hands-on, challenge-based activities that foster creativity, independence, critical thinking, and self-awareness

• Programs designed to provide childcare that caregivers need in addition to the enrichment students need

• A focus on decreasing educational disparities by supporting young people with foundational skills in reading, writing & math and to promote a love for learning.

Role Overview: The Youth Program Manager will work in collaboration with the Director of Youth Initiatives and other colleagues to design and execute logistics of the organization’s youth services and programming with a focus on grades 1-8; lead active programming and direct service to youth; build partnerships and collaborations; and design and execute evaluation and assessment strategies, ultimately ensuring effective execution of the program vision and plan as developed by the Youth Team.

Instruction and Direct Interaction with Youth 40%

• Lead programming hours and implement curriculum in afterschool, Saturday, and school break programs

• Build healthy relationships with youth participants

• Ensure activities follow organizational policies, protocols, and best practices and fulfill grant obligations

• Address challenges and obstacles as they arise

• Support Guides in offering direct service to youth

Community Outreach, Recruitment, and Partnership Development 20%

• Recruit youth to ensure adequate participation in GMCC youth programming and to ensure we are engaging those who could benefit most

• Recruit and forge partnerships with area schools and youth organizations to determine collaboration opportunities and synergies

• Facilitate strategic communications and marketing efforts

• Work with the Director to identify and support visiting Instructors and temp/part time Lead and Assistant Guides

Curriculum Development 20%

• Support ongoing curriculum development; design enriching, engaging and relevant learning experiences including include topics on art, food and nutrition, physical activity, digital technologies, and social emotional learning

• Support team meetings with Guides and Initiative Coordinators to discuss course corrections and strategic approaches

• Identify, engage, and coordinate auxiliary partners and visiting instructors to provide events, programming, and curriculum

• Ensure programming is trauma-informed, whole-child, and uses studio-based approaches to teaching and learning.

Administration 10%

• Maintain an up-to-date calendar and respond to email and voicemail promptly

• Identify and fulfill logistics related to program delivery (set up, supplies, scheduling)

• Maintain accurate program records, including participant attendance, performance, and outcomes

• Document and file lesson plans

• Complete observational documentation

• Attend and actively participate in relevant staff meetings and professional development opportunities.

• Other duties as assigned

Research, Development, and Evaluation 10%

• Contribute to funding reports

• Support execution of plans to evaluate program results, impact, and outcomes

• Collect, analyze, and maintain data related to initiatives including qualitative and quantitative initiative impact (including surveys and interviews)

• Gather external research on topics related to current and future initiatives

• Complete environmental scans and needs assessments to determine where GMCC can add value, including addressing challenges, leveraging opportunities, and filling gaps

Qualifications

• Three years of experience working with youth (nanny, camp counselor, teacher or teaching assistant) of diverse ages and backgrounds (in particular BIPOC youth and K-8)

• Experience managing or coordinating programs, projects, or initiatives

• Willingness and ability to keep a flexible schedule, including working some evenings and weekends and hours that fluctuate

• Committed to equity, social justice, and building intercultural skills

• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and track and meet goals

• Excellent interpersonal skills; interest in building interpersonal connections with youth

• Ability to maintain and support confidentiality

• Ability to communicate clearly and diplomatically, both orally and in written form, with people from various backgrounds

• Attention to detail; ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines

• Ability to think critically to solve problems and thrive on challenges

• Ability to participate as a team player in achieving organizational goals

BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

GMCC works with Oasis DEG for Human Resources and Recruitment. Go to https://client.oasisassistant.com/DEGApplicant/jobsite.aspx?Company=GMCand enter the following credentials:

1. Username: GMCC

2. Password: applicant

3. Use [e-mail] for the hiring manager’s email when prompted

4. With your application please include a résumé, cover letter, and three references.