Program Manager, Continuum

Urban Initiatives • Chicago, IL

6d • $52,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Urban Initiatives is seeking a 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 Program Manager plays a critical role in supporting a caseload of school-based programs, ensuring strong partnerships with school communities and high quality experiences for students, coaches, and families. This role is responsible for coach supervision and development, program quality, and seasonal planning and transitions. This is a highly collaborative, hands-on role suited for someone who is organized, relationship-driven, and energized by creating meaningful opportunities for young people through sport and play. This role may support: Pre-K Soccer, Elementary Soccer (Play with Potential), Middle School Leadership (Take the Lead), Summer of Sport Camp.

Requirements

• Experience managing youth programs, out-of-school-time (OST) programming, or similar community-based initiatives
• Experience supervising, coaching, mentoring, or supporting staff
• Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Comfort using digital tools and systems to track tasks, data, and communication
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and youth-centered practices
• Experience partnering with schools, families, and community stakeholders
• Knowledge of social-emotional learning (SEL), positive youth development, and/or sport-based youth development models

Responsibilities

• Recruit, onboard, train, and supervise Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches, and Take the Lead Coaches across assigned schools in the Near and Far South OR Southwest 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
• 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)
• 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
• Manage program administration systems, including attendance, evaluations, and reporting
• Maintain organized, up-to-date documentation and trackers
• 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

• Competitive salary
• Health, dental, and vision insurance 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)

What This Job Offers

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