Children's Program Manager

Overview:

Follen Church is a mid-sized suburban Unitarian Universalist congregation in Lexington, MA with about 75 children and youth (ages 0–18) across our religious education programs. After many decades with a more traditional religious education model, we are in the process of envisioning a new way of supporting the faith development of children and families. We seek to emphasize faith exploration and formation rather than curriculum-based classes. We want to empower our children and youth to ask questions; make value-based, ethical decisions; respect nature; and see their journey as a lifelong process of nurturing spiritual and ethical growth. Follen has a strong tradition of music, theater, social justice, and outdoor play, as well as active lay volunteer support for its many programs.

Job Summary:

The Children’s Program Manager (CPM) role is to develop and implement faith-based programs for children in grades K–8 that foster spiritual growth and faith exploration and cultivate a sense of community within and beyond the church. The Children’s Program Manager is expected to nurture a respectful, inclusive, supportive, and safe environment for all; work well with children and parents; be a helpful resource for volunteers and staff; collaborate with the Religious Education Action Team (REAT); and support Follen’s resolution to become an intentionally and actively anti-racist, welcoming congregation. The CPM will supervise the Nursery Supervisor and Lead Teacher, who together support children ages 0–7.

Our ideal candidate is someone who excels at connecting deeply with people of all ages, has excellent organizational and time management skills, and is adept at developing and implementing thoughtful programming that engages children.

Essential Functions:

• Collaborate with the DCE, REAT, volunteers, and musicians to plan, create, implement, and evaluate Faith Exploration programs, worship experiences, and learning opportunities that foster engaging, age-appropriate spiritual growth and connection for children in grades K–8.
• Recruit, train, and supervise the Nursery Supervisor, Lead teacher, and childcare providers for Follen events, supporting children ages 0–7 and their families.
• Collaborate with the Communication & Data Manager to maintain accurate records of enrollment, class lists, and volunteers. Our current systems include Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, and Breeze membership database.
• Train, support, and manage a dynamic team of volunteers and staff to implement weekly programming and ensure proper coverage at all times.
• Participate in staff meetings, supervision meetings, and Religious Education Action Team meetings, as well as other meetings as needed.
• Communicate effectively and in a timely manner with the congregation, volunteers, and staff; ensure information in the newsletter, website, and other media is accurate.
• Maintain a monthly schedule of events for families and children in collaboration with the DCE.
• Acquire and organize religious education resources for teachers and volunteers, ensuring alignment with denominational and educational best practices.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or similar experience required.
• Licensure: Trusted Employee/CORI safety check required; valid Massachusetts driver’s license
• Experience working with children in a church or educational or community-based setting
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with the span of child and adolescent development and varied learning styles
• Demonstrated leadership and social skills
• Ability to do light lifting and movement of materials, equipment, and supplies
• Prefer those with experience working with children and volunteers
• Prefer those with familiarity with Unitarian Universalism and our liberal religious theology values and programs

Core Competencies:

Mission ownership: Demonstrates understanding and full support of the Unitarian Universalist mission, vision, values, history, and beliefs of the congregation; can teach those values to others; consistently behaves in a manner congruent with the mission, vision, values, history, and beliefs.

Team orientation: Demonstrates interest, skill, and success in team environments; promotes group goals ahead of personal agendas; steps up to offer self as a resource to other members of the team; understands and supports the importance of teamwork; shares credit for success with others, taking responsibility for their part in team failures.

Developing and motivating volunteers: Creates a climate in which people want to do their best; empowers others; invites shared input and decision-making; makes each individual feel that their work is important; communicates expectations clearly; maintains open and active dialogue with volunteers; thinks strategically about the continual need for a next generation of leaders and works to build the volunteer base.

Program development and management: Develops and implements realistic and thorough work plans for implementing faith exploration programs; designs effective lesson plans and facilitates learning experiences for children and youth; creates activities that are relevant, provocative, and contribute to a deeper understanding of spiritual practice and social justice; uses a variety of activities to maintain interest and build connections.

Interpersonal relationships: Relates well to all kinds of people and finds special joy in relating to children and youth; engages in thoughtful and attentive listening; builds appropriate rapport; builds effective and constructive relationships; considers the impact of their actions on others; uses diplomacy and tact; is regarded as a team player.

Priority setting: Spends their time and directs the time of others to what is important; quickly zones in on the critical issue and ignores or minimizes distractions; can sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal; eliminates roadblocks; demonstrates focus.

How to Apply: Submit a cover letter expressing your interest and call to children’s religious education/faith exploration, and a resume of experiences and qualifications related to this position to humanresources@follen.org.

Follen Church is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Unitarian Universalists value respect and kindness toward others, acceptance of diversity, honoring each other’s search for truth, democracy, peace, social justice in action & environmental stewardship.