Manager, Alumni Services

Digital NEST • Watsonville, CA

1d • $29 - $34 • Hybrid

About The Position

Digital NEST is an innovative workforce development center that has welcomed thousands of youth from working-class, farmworker communities to develop the technical and professional skills they need to achieve their dreams. It is an exciting time for the NEST. We are focused on growth and expansion to five communities across The Monterey Bay (MBR) and San Joaquin Valley (SJVR) Regions in Northern California. Digital NEST has Centers in the heart of Watsonville, Salinas, Gilroy, Modesto and Stockton.

The Manager of Alumni Services is responsible for leading the design and implementation of our Alumni Services. This is a new role, and the Manager will build on early foundations to shape the growth of our Alumni Services including growing and creating new relationships with Digital NEST Alumni, collaborating to develop the systems needed to support Alumni outreach, and identifying and designing services to support our Alumni to achieve wealth building careers. To be successful in this role, the Manager will have strong project management skills, experience building relationships, excellent communication and leadership, and experience working in a highly collaborative, dynamic environment. This position will report to the VP of Programs and will work closely in partnership across departments and program leadership.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of experience in managing/supervising staff and delivering high impact, career development programs and services.
• At least 3 years in curriculum development and teaching or facilitation with youth.
• At least 7 years of cumulative full-time experience coordinating complex projects/initiatives, or comparable experience in career services, workforce development and/or education fields.
• Sound understanding of career development frameworks, methods and approaches.
• Strong curriculum development skills and understanding of learning frameworks.
• Demonstrates high levels of self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
• Well-developed planning and organization skills, high level of attention to detail, ability to effectively manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to think and act with a global mindset, culturally sensitive and aware.
• Strong results orientation with a demonstrated ability to oversee practical, solution-driven initiatives that are perceived as adding value to the organization.
• Outstanding leadership and communication skills (written and verbal) with ability to present views in a clear and compelling manner and develop trust and influence at all levels.
• Ability to train staff in the knowledge and skills of any program staff position within their area; working knowledge and demonstrated skills in training and coaching professionals, para-professionals and youth.
• Ability to adapt to changing project requirements and priorities.
• Organizational and time management skills, and high degree of attention to details.
• Passion for the mission of Digital NEST and belief in upholding organization’s core values.
• Understanding of and sensitivity to issues of culture/ethnicity/race, gender, sexual identity, class/socioeconomic status and immigration status.
• Ability to be an ally to people of color, women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer, questioning and intersex individuals and their allies (LGBTQIA).
• Participate in NEST evening and weekend programs and events on an occasional basis; facilitate youth involvement in these programs and events.
• Candidates must be able to travel and work evenings or weekends occasionally, or as needed.
• NOTE: The job offer will be contingent upon the successful completion and passing of a background check.

Nice To Haves

• Conversational or fluent in spoken Spanish; fluent in written Spanish.
• Expertise and experience in curriculum development, instructional design and learning frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of Digital NEST’s new Alumni Services, including program scope, playbook, processes for transitioning members and interns into alumni, and evaluation of the program.
• Build and maintain relationships with our alumni. Identify key desired career readiness needs from former alumni and industry partners through ongoing engagement and assessment to maximize career readiness.
• Lead program operations, including implementation, communications, database management, impact measurement and continuous improvement.
• Practice self-leadership; build cross-functional relationships; effectively communicate information and provide advice to drive projects forward; seek, listen to and address feedback; adapt to competing demands and new responsibilities; providing feedback to others, including upward feedback to the VP of Programs.
• Assess, refine and implement the professional mentor program in collaboration with the VP of Programs.
• Provide expertise on career trends, needs and opportunities.
• Determine the model for and provide coaching and support to Digital NEST Alumni. Exploring how to scale 1:1 and group career mentoring and coaching to support Alumni next career steps, advise on their resumes and portfolios, and prepare them for their next career advancement.
• Design, coordinate and facilitate workshops to support Digital NEST Alumni to achieve their career goals.
• Identify indicators (aligned to evaluation) to understand effectiveness of Alumni Services and to establish and maintain a cadence for data collection.
• Take a systemic approach and work in close partnership with departments such as Development, Programs, Partnerships, Evaluation and MarComm to advise on and guide the building of systems to support Alumni engagement.
• Collaborate with community partners, leveraging external networks and connections to continuously seek best practices and learning from which the career services team/organization can benefit.
• Represent the Digital NEST as needed on relevant, external committees/task forces, as well as speaking engagements, conference panels and training.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, vision, dental and life insurance
• Vacation and sick time off
• Paid federal holidays
• Retirement plan
• 100% Agency Paid Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance for the employee
• SIMPLE IRA Retirement Benefit with up to 2% employer match
• Accrual of up to 10 Paid Vacation Days for Full-time Employees
• 13 Paid Holidays Annually Plus Business closure/holiday the week between Christmas Day and New Years Day
• Accrual of Paid Sick Time Off
• Annual Parking Permit
• Flexible Work Schedule

What This Job Offers

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