Program Manager

Friends of the Children•Detroit, MI

16h•Onsite

About The Position

Friends of the Children is a nonprofit that is impacting generational change by empowering youth through relationships with professional mentors. We do this by providing children facing the most obstacles with a long-term, salaried, professional mentor, who we call a “Friend,” from kindergarten through high school graduation, 12+ years – no matter what. We are currently seeking an extraordinary professional to embark on a new career journey as a Program Manager at our Detroit Chapter. At Friends of the Children we put children first and use our values to change the way the world treats and views youth facing great barriers. As a Program Manager you will nurture long-term relationships from a foundation of love, acceptance, and culturally informed practice. Are you ready to help build relationships within the communities of our youth and families to strengthen social networks and provide bridges to new opportunities? If so, the impactful role of a Program Manager might be for you.

Requirements

Minimum of bachelor’s degree strongly preferred
Five years of experience working/volunteering with children
At least two and a half years (3 years strongly preferred) in the role of a Mentor
Previous supervisory experience mandatory
Strong interpersonal skills, including the demonstrated ability to resolve conflict, and help others do the same.
Strong written and verbal communication skills; organizational and time management, delegation and follow-up skills.
Effective, appropriate and professional supervisory and leadership skills and behaviors.
Demonstrated ability to influence the behavior of others to achieve necessary results.
In depth understanding of the role of a Friend, as well as of the issues faced by our Program children.
Ability to relate to peers, subordinates, and other members of the management team, and to develop and sustain trusting, supportive relationships with them.
Ability to use creativity and initiative in guiding others to plan activities that continually develop children.
Ability to work as a team player, as well as the ability to lead a team.
Ability to manage several concurrent issues and solve problems effectively exercising appropriate discretion and judgment, and ability to manage others in doing the same.
Demonstrated ability to exercise excellent judgment related to maintaining confidentiality and communicating appropriately within the workplace, and to hold others accountable for the same.
Proficient computer and keyboarding skills, proficiency with e-mail systems, familiarity with MS Outlook and ETO or other database applications.

Nice To Haves

Data cultivation, review, and interpreting to inform decision making
Gain proficiency in organizational platforms used to cultivate and track Team data

Responsibilities

Supervising, guiding and supporting the Friends within the organization.
Acting as a role model and mentor for Friends, a team facilitator and organizational motivator, and facilitating effective communication in all directions.
Supporting the hiring, onboarding and supervision of the New Friends on their team, as well as supporting the onboarding and training of all New Friends.
Developing and sustaining honest and trusting relationships with colleagues and inspiring and motivating team members.
Serving as a role model both for effective Friend/child relationships and as a professional.
Acting as a resource for Friends by providing support, guidance, direction and resourceful solutions to concerns and challenges.
Ensuring compliance with and accountability to the organization’s policies, procedures, and practices as outlined in the Employee Manual and Friends Handbook.
Contributing to the development of any of these as required.
Demonstrating support of organizational decisions in a constructive and effective manner.
Knowing and understanding the needs and issues of each child served by Friends on assigned team.
Meeting with each team member one-on-one each month, and reviewing Roadmaps and Transition Plans for each child on a monthly basis.
Developing knowledge of academic performance for each child and assisting in setting realistic goals for the children.
Assuring that each Friend has helped develop a specific area of interest or talent for each child.
Interacting with each child on your team at least twice a year by going out with the child and their respective Friend, or by observing Friends with their children during activities or outings.
Providing constructive feedback to the Friend on an ongoing basis.
Actively participating on the PLT and providing insight, input and solutions to programmatic and organizational issues and challenges.
Facilitating or leading PLT meetings as required.
Communicating effectively and appropriately in all directions regarding organizational issues, concerns, policies and procedures.
Raising and resolving issues appropriately.
Advocating for Friends, representing the best interests of your team and children, doing so in an appropriate and timely manner.
Understanding, implementing and supporting organizational policies and procedures.
Soliciting and obtaining feedback from a minimum of two parents of children on your team per month.
Documenting and maintaining all feedback and including it in Quarterly reports.
Serving assigned youth as appropriate in the capacity of a Friend, as outlined in the Friend job description.
Cultivating relationships with children, families, school personnel, organizational supporters and community partners.
Assisting others in setting goals and developing plans to meet those goals to ensure the development of each child.
Holding others accountable in all aspects of required performance, including completing administrative tasks accurately and on time.
Exercising good judgment independently, in various situations and environments, and under varying levels of stress, and developing others to do the same.