Program Manager, The Green Bandana Project

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education•Bloomington, MN

4d•$70,000 - $85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Green Bandana Project (TGBP) is a school-based initiative that increases students’ awareness of mental health and suicide prevention resources and encourages help-seeking before or during a mental health crisis. Student participants take a suicide prevention gatekeeper training, carry resource cards, and tie a green bandana to their backpack or another visible location to signal they are trained and informed allies in student mental health. We are seeking a strategic, mission-driven, and experienced Program Manager to lead the growth, scalability, and national expansion of The Green Bandana Project in high schools, colleges, and universities. This position is responsible for developing and implementing the strategy to increase program adoption, strengthen program infrastructure, and expand the initiative's reach and impact across the country. The Program Manager will oversee program operations, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement efforts while ensuring the program can effectively scale to meet growing demand. The role supervises a Program Coordinator, manages the program budget, and contributes to fundraising, partnership development, and advocacy efforts as needed. Working closely with the Director of Programs and internal and external stakeholders, the Program Manager will drive the program’s long-term growth, sustainability, and alignment with SA VE’s mission.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., social work, public health, psychology, education)
3+ years of experience in program management, youth development, education, or related fields.
Demonstrated commitment to mental health, youth programming, and suicide prevention.
Experience supervising staff.
Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Proficiency in program evaluation methods and data-driven decision-making.
Comfortable with public speaking, workshop facilitation, and community engagement.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and comfort with CRM or database platforms.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Experience with budgeting and financial oversight in a nonprofit or educational setting is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a multi-year strategy to expand The Green Bandana Project's reach, adoption, and impact in high schools, colleges, and universities nationwide.
Identify and pursue opportunities for program growth, innovation, and partnership development to support long-term sustainability and scalability.
Establish systems, processes, and infrastructure that enable the program to grow efficiently while maintaining fidelity and quality.
Collaborate with the Director of Programs and Director of Education & Training to align program strategy with organizational goals and priorities.
Monitor emerging trends in youth mental health, suicide prevention, and education to inform program enhancements and expansion opportunities.
Lead the planning, implementation, and ongoing management of The Green Bandana Project across diverse educational settings.
Oversee program onboarding, technical assistance, and support for participating schools and campuses to ensure successful implementation.
Serve as the primary relationship manager for key school, district, higher education, and community partners.
Develop and refine program materials, resources, and implementation tools to support program growth and participant success.
Evaluate and implement technology solutions that enhance program delivery, participant engagement, and network management.
Supervise and support Program Coordinators and Program Associates, providing coaching, professional development, and performance management.
Foster a collaborative, mission-driven team culture focused on innovation, continuous improvement, and measurable impact.
Assess staffing and resource needs to support future program growth and expansion.
Lead program evaluation efforts, including the development of key performance indicators, data collection systems, outcome measurement strategies, and reporting frameworks.
Analyze program data to assess effectiveness, identify opportunities for improvement, and demonstrate impact to stakeholders.
Support grant reporting, organizational reporting, and impact storytelling through the collection and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data.
Develop and manage the annual program budget, ensuring resources are aligned with strategic priorities and growth objectives.
Monitor program expenditures, forecast future resource needs, and identify opportunities for operational efficiencies.
Contribute to grant proposals, funder reports, and sustainability planning efforts that support continued program expansion.
Represent SAVE and The Green Bandana Project at conferences, coalitions, professional associations, and stakeholder meetings.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with education leaders, community organizations, funders, and other strategic partners.
Support fundraising, business development, and advocacy initiatives that increase awareness, adoption, and investment in the program.
Present program outcomes, best practices, and implementation strategies to diverse audiences nationwide.