Program Manager- Cooperative Development

Location: Colton, California (Hybrid)

Position Type: Full-Time Exempt

Salary Range: $85,000-$110,000/year

Reports To: Executive Director

Overview:

The Program Manger- Cooperative Development plays a key role in advancing the mission and vision of the Inland Empire Labor Institute (IELI). The goal is to foster a strong regional cooperative network focused on employee ownership and establish a strong regional cooperative operating network, as we have identified employee ownership and worker-owned cooperatives as important elements within the overall strategy of developing an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Inland SoCal. Worker-owned cooperatives are a dynamic area of interest and growth in our region, with recent establishment of unionized cooperative ventures.

This job description may be revisited and is subject to change at the direction of the Executive Director.

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Building and Maintaining a Balanced Work Environment:

• Abide by all processes and policies provided to you by Executive Director o Prioritize clear and open communication
• Maintain healthy work-life boundaries
• Communicate needs for professional development
• Foster a culture of respect and inclusivity
• Collaborate with colleagues on tasks/projects that interconnect

Building and Maintaining Strategic Partnerships:

• Under the direction of the Executive Director, identify and engage with workers, employers, labor unions, and industry associations to foster collaborative relationships.
• Facilitate meetings between labor and management representatives to discuss co-op opportunities

Foster a strong regional cooperative network:

• Form a working group of key stakeholders
• Collaborate with existing co-op worker programs to establish regional network o Hold co-op outreach events; Hold outreach events to generate wide interest
• Establish a cooperative organization operating structure
• Explore and share best practices in existing regional co-op models

Research, Strategy, and Programming: Employee ownership opportunities & establish regional cooperative training program:

• Conduct needs assessment; Convene stakeholder advisory groups to assess regional co- op needs
• Contract technical experts to advise the planning phase o Identify best operating structure for the center
• Identify sources of non-extractive co-op startup capital o Run a "train-the-trainer" courses
• Build technical assistance services for co-op building 5. Data Management and Reporting:
• Maintain accurate records of program activities, participant outcomes, and stakeholder engagement efforts.
• Prepare regular reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders to demonstrate program impact and progress.
• Conducting participatory action research with workers in coop-related industries 6. Grant Writing and Funder Relations:
• Provide administrative support for grant writing activities, including identifying funding opportunities and sharing feedback on draft applications
• Participate in building and maintaining productive relationships with public and philanthropic funding organizations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., workforce development, labor relations, sociology, business administration) required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in workforce development, labor relations, or a related field, with a proven track record of building partnerships and implementing successful programs.
• Knowledge of labor market trends, workforce training strategies, and adult learning principles.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders; bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Experience with data management and reporting, including proficiency in MS Office Suite, Google Workspace, database management software, Zoom, AirTable, and Canva.
• Commitment to social and economic justice, with a focus on promoting equitable access to employment opportunities and career advancement.
• Experience in labor unions and/or community-based organizations and familiarity with Inland Empire region preferred

About IELI:

Established in 2020, the Inland Empire Labor Institute is the 501(c)(3) wing of the Inland Empire Labor Council, a regional AFL-CIO affiliate with 290,000 members across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The IELI partners with economic, social, and environmental organizations to prioritize the needs of workers in uplifting communities and families. We see labor unions as a key force for promoting workers' rights, economic justice, and democratic participation, and support regional development that is socially equitable, ecologically sustainable, and culturally diverse. The IELI is regional co-convener for California Jobs First and operates training and workforce development projects.