Youth Programs Manager

Harvest Hands CDC; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvest Hands CDC in Nashville is seeking an Elementary Program Manager to lead 3-5 after-school sites, supervise staff and volunteers, and ensure high-quality, Christ-centered programming for students.

You will design curricula, collaborate with the Director of Programs, recruit volunteers, manage budgets, and build positive relationships with schools and families. Expect 40 hours weekly, fall/spring hours 10am-6pm, with some evening or weekend work during peak periods.

Qualifications

• A strong faith and commitment to Harvest Hands mission.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; education/child development focus preferred.
• Experience managing teams of staff and volunteers.
• Experience working with children, youth, and families in urban settings.
• Strong communication, time management, and adaptability.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations of 3-5 after-school program sites and supervise staff.
• Conduct site visits and evaluations to ensure a safe, Christ-centered environment.
• Set program goals aligned with organizational strategic plan.
• Directly supervise 3-5 Program Leads and provide training.
• Develop curricula aligned with Harvest Hands pillars.
• Lead classes at after-school sites when needed.
• Recruit and train volunteers.
• Enforce behavior and classroom policies using restorative approaches.
• Maintain relationships with schools and families.
• Manage programs within approved budget.
• Attend staff meetings and participate in organization events.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Time management

Curriculum planning

Volunteer coordination

Google Workspace

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Education/Child development focus preferred

Tools

Google Workspace

Job description

Hours: Approximately 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday (with occasional nights and weekends)

Rate of Pay:

Primary Location: Harvest Hands Napier, South End and Vine Hill

Posting Date: August 13, 2026

Position Overview:

The After-School Program Manager leads, manages, and oversees the direct operations of 3-5 Harvest Hands after-school program sites. This includes directly supervising programs staffand supporting them in their planning and execution of programs, including providing ongoing training and development to staff and volunteers. The After-School Program Manager ensures high quality programming by maintaining a consistent presence at all sites, including serving in leading a group of students when necessary. The Manager works with after school staffto select and/or design consistent curricula that address the four Harvest Hands pillars of education, healthy living, economic development, and spiritual formation. Together with theDirector of Programs, the Manager implements evidence-based practices and data collection efforts to support long-term program success.One essential component of this role is to ensure each program utilizes a Christ-centered approach in the programs and in offering prayer, guidance and instruction for students, families and team members.

This is a full-time, salaried position (approximately 40 hours/week). The Program Manageris required to work Monday-Friday, approximately 10am-6pm every day in the fall and spring, with adjusted hours (approximately 7:30am-4pm) in the summer. Professional development days plus occasional nights and weekends will also be required (and occasional attendance at Empower Sports Leagues for the purpose of connecting with families and students).

Essential Job Functions

Job Title:Elementary Program Manager

Reports To:Director of Programs

Job Status: Full-time, salaried

Hours: Approximately 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday (with occasional nights and weekends)

Rate of Pay:

Primary Location: Harvest Hands Napier, South End and Vine Hill

Posting Date: August 13, 2026

Position Overview:

The After-School Program Manager leads, manages, and oversees the direct operations of 3-5 Harvest Hands after-school program sites. This includes directly supervising programs staffand supporting them in their planning and execution of programs, including providing ongoing training and development to staff and volunteers. The After-School Program Manager ensures high quality programming by maintaining a consistent presence at all sites, including serving in leading a group of students when necessary. The Manager works with after school staffto select and/or design consistent curricula that address the four Harvest Hands pillars of education, healthy living, economic development, and spiritual formation. Together with theDirector of Programs, the Manager implements evidence-based practices and data collection efforts to support long-term program success.One essential component of this role is to ensure each program utilizes a Christ-centered approach in the programs and in offering prayer, guidance and instruction for students, families and team members.

This is a full-time, salaried position (approximately 40 hours/week). The Program Manageris required to work Monday-Friday, approximately 10am-6pm every day in the fall and spring, with adjusted hours (approximately 7:30am-4pm) in the summer. Professional development days plus occasional nights and weekends will also be required (and occasional attendance at Empower Sports Leagues for the purpose of connecting with families and students).

Essential Job Functions

• Work closely with the Director of Programs (who will focus on external partnerships/site expansion) to maintain internal day-to-day operations across 3-5 after-school program sites.
• Facilitate regular program site visits and evaluations to ensure all sites are providing a safe, welcoming, Christ-centered trauma-informed environment following Harvest Hands systems and procedures.
• Work with the Director of Programs to set after-school program goals aligned with the organizational strategic plan.
• Directly supervise 3-5 Program Leads and support them in their management of Classroom Facilitators and volunteers, including leading regular team meetings and providing ongoing training and development for after-school staff.
• Work alongside program staff to select and/or design consistent curricula that address the four Harvest Hands pillars of education, healthy living, economic development, and spiritual formation (including Biblically based daily devotions).
• Serve as class leader at after-school sites as necessary.
• Assist in efforts to recruit and train volunteers for after-school programs.
• Work with the Director of Programs to create and enforce effective behavior and classroom management policies using a restorative approach to encourage learning. Work with Program staff to ensure that procedures are being implemented and have clear communication streams with parents/guardians that allow them the opportunity to work towards solutions collaboratively with the student and Harvest Hands staff.Maintaining current contact information of all parents/guardians for students involved in programs.
• Work with programs staffto maintain strong working relationships with schools in their designated clusters to better meet the emotional, behavioral, and academic needs of the children of Harvest Hands.Including time spent at partner schools on a regular basis.
• Work with the Director of Programs to implement evidence-based practices and data collection processes for the after-school programs to measure the success and growth of the students and programs.
• Manage after-school programs within the approved budget.
• Ensure facilities are clean, organized, and conducive to learning.
• When necessary, transport students in Harvest Hands vehicle(s) to program-related locations (such as the program site, field trips, etc.).
• Ensure each program site has regular field trips.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with students’ parents or guardians.
• Collaborate with the Programs team to organize additional education opportunities for students outside of the formal program—i.e. field trips, weekend trips, evening community/family nights, etc.
• Work with programs staff to host a family night at each site monthly
• Perform administrative duties as needed to help with the general functioning of Harvest Hands in effort to carry out the mission of the organization.
• Attend monthly All-Staff meetings, weekly team meetings, and other meetings as requested.
• Participate in staff development and growth opportunities.
• Participate in organization-wide events.

Required Education, Experience, and Characteristics

• A strong and clearly observable faith in God and a strong passion and commitment to the mission of Harvest Hands and caring for under-resourced communities.
• An awareness and understanding of the principles of Christian Community Development and a commitment to invest in neighbors and the neighborhoods we serve.
• A commitment to justice-centric practices through continual listening and learning in order to contribute to an equitable, inclusive environment prioritizing the safety and success of all team members, especially those living on the margins.
• A strong understanding and demonstration of communication skills, time management, and adaptability, with a growth-oriented mindset.
• Experience working in an urban setting with a proven track record of effective leadership with children, youth and families.
• Experience working collaboratively with teams and volunteers.
• Minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent; degree in education, child development, or related field preferred.
• Excellent classroom management skills and the ability to teach those skills to others.
• Previous managerial experience, including conducting team meetings, one-on-one meetings, performance evaluations, etc.
• Working knowledge of Google Workspace, virtual meeting platforms, and other basic computer skills.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the ability to regularly visit multiple sites.

Preferred Characteristics

• From or lives in area(s) served.
• Previous experience in a similar role.
• Previous experience in curriculum development and data collection.

Physical Demands

The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Work around small children, including moving about large spaces, ascending/descending stairs, and/or lowering oneself to be on a child’s level.
• Work in a high energy, sometimes noisy environment.
• Occasionally lift and transport heavy items up to 50 lbs.
• Spend extended periods working on a computer and/or screen to complete administrative tasks.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the neighborhood and organization.