Lead Program Manager, Continuum

Urban Initiatives • Chicago, IL

2d • $55,000

About The Position

Urban Initiatives is seeking a Lead Program Manager to oversee the implementation and quality of multiple sports-based youth development programs across a caseload of schools. This role manages coaches, partnerships, systems, and events, ensuring that programs are delivered with fidelity, care, and consistency.
The Lead Program Manager plays a critical role in coach development, school partner satisfaction, seasonal transitions, and department-wide initiatives such as large-scale events and compliance processes. This is a highly collaborative, hands-on role suited for someone who is organized, people-centered, and energized by supporting others to do their best work.
Programs You May Oversee
Depending on the season and caseload, this role may support:
Pre-K Soccer
Elementary Soccer (Play with Potential)
Middle School Leadership (Take the Lead)
Summer of Sport Camp
Our Culture:
Our healing-centered approach to youth development helps young people reach their full potential and puts YOU right in the middle of making an impact that will shape generations of Chicago youth. We are coaches by trade, and we bring this expertise into our work environment. You can expect us to deliver ample learning opportunities, growth mindsets, a culture of feedback and transparency, and fun as a core value. Our first-in-class benefits- including competitive salaries and fully-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance - are guaranteed to keep you in the game.

Are you ready to put passion into action to build a stronger Chicago?

Requirements

• Experience managing youth programs, OST programming, or similar community-based initiatives
• Experience supervising, coaching, or supporting staff
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Comfort using digital tools and systems to track tasks, data, and communication
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and youth-centered work

Nice To Haves

• Experience working within CPS or DFSS-funded programs
• Experience with compliance-driven environments
• Event planning or large-scale logistics experience
• Familiarity with SEL-based or sport-based youth development models

Responsibilities

• Coach Recruitment, Onboarding, and Supervision
• Recruit, onboard, train, and supervise Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches, and Take the Lead Coaches across assigned schools in the Near South and Far South neighborhoods
• Travel to partner school sites at least three times per week for site visits, coach support, and programming or events
• Support assigned coaches employment cycle from onboarding and performance management through end-of-program offboarding
• Program Implementation and Quality
• Oversee high-quality program delivery aligned with curriculum, program models, and conditions for success, including:
• Pre-K Soccer
• Play with Potential (Elementary Soccer)
• Take the Lead (Middle School Leadership)
• Summer of Sport (Seasonal Programming)
• Partnership and Stakeholder Management
• Serve as the primary point of contact for school administrators and OST liaisons at assigned schools
• Lead required start-of-year, mid-year, and end-of-year meetings and communications
• Maintain strong partner satisfaction through proactive communication and problem-solving
• Systems, Data, and Compliance
• Manage program administration systems, including attendance, evaluations, and reporting
• Use CitySpan and internal tools to ensure accurate data entry and DFSS compliance
• Maintain organized, up-to-date documentation and trackers
• Special Projects and Events
• Support planning and execution of department-wide initiatives such as the Community Play Cup
• Manage timelines, deliverables, and documentation for assigned projects
• Contribute to SOP development and process improvements
• Department Engagement and Collaboration
• Participate in department and cross-department meetings and planning
• Collaborate with colleagues to problem-solve and share best practices
• Provide timely feedback and insights to support team learning and program improvement

Benefits

• $55,000 Competitive salary
• Health, dental, and vision insurance premiums options available
• Life, short term disability, and long-term disability insurance are paid 100% by Urban Initiatives
• Option to contribute to a 401K with up to a 3% match of your salary after one full year of employment
• Flexible Time Off available
• Paid holidays (Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day)
• Additionally, our values of Teamwork and Inclusion ensure that Urban Initiatives is an environment where you will be supported and welcomed by your coworkers and peers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed