Program Manager

Organization Overview:

Coyote Central is an education nonprofit that provides creative classes and public art opportunities to young people. Coyote Central sparks creativity in young people, putting tools in their hands to build skills and forge their future. Over 1,000 young people ages 10 to 15 come to Coyote Central year-round for hands-on workshops with professional artists, chefs, furniture makers, fashion designers, metal artists, animators, dancers, filmmakers, and many other creative people.

Job Summary:

Our programs are the heart of the work we do. The Program Manager (PM) plays a vital role in leading and shaping our programs, ensuring they are safe, inclusive, engaging, and impactful for youth ages 10-15. This position brings an equity lens to leading and managing program operations, building and maintaining strong partnerships with schools and community organizations, and building and managing a dynamic roster of Teaching Artists.

The PM will partner closely with the ED to develop and implement program strategy and will be responsible for managing scheduling and logistics, and provide hands-on support during classes and events. They will serve as an onsite leader, fostering a positive learning environment while mentoring staff, engaging families, ensuring smooth day-to-day program execution, and identifying ways to improve future sessions.

This is a full-time role that requires weekend availability during program sessions. The PM will collaborate with the Executive Director to establish a regular full-time work schedule that aligns with program needs.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Management, Vision, and Support (60%)

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to define the organizational strategic plan, including program design, description, and delivery.
• Define and promote Coyote’s learning goals and teaching strategies.
• Lead the design and implementation of program norms and policies to ensure the community’s voice is represented and the team is strong and connected.
• Develop and maintain the programmatic calendar, creating and managing course schedules and bookings with the Program Coordinator.
• Lead logistics including, but not limited to, teacher communication, on-call schedule, sub-charts and booking spreadsheets.
• Oversee the creation and administering of student, teacher, and partner surveys to evaluate programming.
• Support teachers in set up/clean up/transitions, classroom management, conflict resolution, and gear/equipment needs onsite during programming.
• Partner with Facilities Manager (FM) to ensure that supplies and equipment are on hand and spaces are ready for programming and troubleshoot issues to maintain studio spaces and supply systems.
• Support staff with conflict resolution, class recruitment, community building, and family/youth engagement and experiences.
• Supervise staff, interns, and volunteers.

Partnerships & Special Programs (15%)

• Develop relationships with relevant partners that expands Coyote’s reach and nurture existing partnerships.
• Spearhead School Partner Programs, including budget management, communication and teacher bookings; serve as onsite support during programs.
• Develop, steward, and oversee Coyote’s public art programs and ensure that Coyote, its artists, and students are represented in the best light possible.

Teacher Hiring, Oversight & Evaluation (20%)

• Expand Coyote’s teaching artist network and roster, leading the hiring, onboarding, and evaluation of Coyote teaching artists;
• Provide high-level mentoring for Coyote teaching artists in course development and design, and classroom management.
• Lead quarterly meetings/trainings for Coyote teaching artists based on Coyote’s learning goals.
• Collaborate with the ED to design and deliver bi-annual professional development for teachers and foster a tightly woven community of teaching artists.
• Maintain a regular cadence of communication with teachers.
• Lead classroom observations and reviews.
• Gather regular feedback from teachers and analyze data quarterly.

Event Support (5%)

• Participate and help facilitate ongoing and existing events, including community and fundraising events.
• With ED, co-develop and manage new community engagement events, such as family dinners, workshops, art walks, open houses, etc.
• Support Public Openings and/or Showcases.
• Collaborate with ED to solicit and oversee volunteers for fundraisers and other special events.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years in Program Management and/or teaching experience, and at least 1-2 years of experience managing/mentoring people.
• Experience with youth development organizations/programs and principles.
• Exceptional problem-solving, strategic thinking, creative exploration, and working with youth and their families.
• Effective leader with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Strong communicator, capable of guiding and motivating diverse groups, and building programs/partnerships in diverse settings and cultures, including ongoing, values-oriented communication with youth and their families.
• Commitment to equity and inclusion, with a willingness to self-reflect and continue learning.
• Preferred experience in using restorative justice for conflict resolution.
• Proficiency in use of technology, including scheduling and spreadsheet management software.
• Brings a diverse perspective and lived experience to the role.
• Education: Completion of 2 year degree or higher preferred.

Additional Job Requirements:

• Passion for Coyote’s mission.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Regularly scheduled attendance on weekends is required during programming to provide oversight and support of programs and activities. Up to 10% of time traveling.

Requirements for Staff Upon Hire:

• First Aid Certification
• Mandated Reporter Certification
• Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Certification
• Deescalation Certification
• Food Worker Card training

What is the interview process?

1. Informational Interview - learn more about the role and share your experience (30 minutes via Video)
2. Interviews with two members of the Coyote Central team (1 hour via Video)
3. Onsite Interview (~1-2 hours)
4. Reference Checks

Commitment to equity:

Coyote Central strives to lead with equity in everything we do. We acknowledge that our communities have been adversely affected by longstanding white supremacy and privilege, creating barriers in access to creative opportunities for low-income communities, immigrant and refugee communities, and communities of color. We aim to dismantle these barriers by engaging diverse voices in our decision-making processes and continually pursuing new knowledge about equity.

We start with a racial equity lens but also address inequity in income, gender identity, culture, language, ability, and any other oppressions that our communities might experience. We approach our equity work with respect, humility, and accountability and with an organization-wide commitment to doing better.

Coyote Central is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to organizational, personal, and systemic growth in equity. Coyote continues to build a teaching artist roster, staff and board that reflect the diversity and intersectionality of the students we serve. People of color, multilingual, LGBTQ and non-binary folks are strongly encouraged to apply.