Program Manager, Bridgeport

buildOn • Bridgeport, CT

1d • $60,000 - $63,000 • Onsite

About The Position

buildOn seeks a mission-driven Program Manager to manage and directly lead its Service Learning Program at assigned partner high schools in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Reporting to the regional Executive Director, the Program Manager is buildOn’s primary leader in Bridgeport and directly supervises three Student Engagement Specialists. This hands-on, field-based leadership role combines program management, staff coaching and supervision, school partnership development, and direct student engagement. The Program Manager ensures that programming is delivered consistently and with quality, and cultivates a culture of Constructive Leadership among students and staff.

The Program Manager works closely with Engagement Specialists, school administrators and faculty, community partners, and regional colleagues to develop service opportunities and deliver program events. The role also oversees student recruitment and support for Immersions—including Trek, 36 Hours, and the Partnership program—and special events. The position requires full-time activity in schools and the community; it is not remote. The schedule is Tuesday through Saturday during the academic year and Monday through Friday outside the academic year. The role is full-time and exempt, reports to the Executive Director, and starts at a salary of $60,000–$63,000.

buildOn’s U.S. Service Learning Programs equip students at under-resourced high schools to transform their communities through service. The organization also partners with communities in countries with high rates of poverty and illiteracy to build schools, enroll children who are out of school, and support adult learners. buildOn describes its mission as breaking the cycle of poverty through service.

Requirements

• Personal commitment to buildOn’s mission and a demonstrated commitment to service.
• Extensive experience living and/or working in underserved communities.
• Commitment to creating empowering, antiracist programs for youth.
• Demonstrated ability to use student engagement data and key performance indicators to increase engagement.
• Flexibility and ability to manage ambiguity and multiple priorities in an entrepreneurial environment.
• At least 3 years of experience engaging youth in service learning.
• Experience mentoring and/or coaching a team.
• Strong communication skills and a track record of mentoring and coaching others to achieve results.
• Relevant educational background.

Nice To Haves

• At least 1 year of experience managing high-performing teams (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise three Student Engagement Specialists supporting buildOn programming at partner high schools.
• Set expectations, priorities, and accountability for program delivery, student engagement, school relationships, data management, and service-learning planning.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings, team check-ins, and observations; provide actionable feedback, coaching, and support for staff development and performance.
• Develop work plans and schedules that help staff balance student engagement, school responsibilities, service planning, administrative tasks, and community partnerships.
• Model and promote professional habits, including proactive communication, timely follow-through, thoughtful planning, effective school partnership management, and accurate data entry.
• Monitor program quality and ensure alignment with buildOn’s service-learning methodology and Constructive Leadership framework.
• Use student engagement data, observations, and staff feedback to identify program strengths, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Support staff in developing service-learning experiences centered on student voice, leadership, reflection, and community impact.
• Maintain relationships with school partners, including teaching advisors, principals, and administrators; communicate regularly and address issues promptly.
• Work with the Program Director, Community Partnerships team, and Engagement Specialists to cultivate local community-based organization partnerships and meaningful service opportunities.
• Use Salesforce to track student engagement, service hours, and program participation; review data and ensure reporting is accurate and timely.
• Complete monthly engagement logs, surveys, and other MERL reporting requirements.
• Collaborate across departments: share program stories and successes with Marketing, support student recruitment and event participation with Events, and provide program and partnership information to Development.
• Lead student recruitment and participation efforts for Immersions, including Trek, 36 Hours, and the Partnership program, and for special events.
• Remain visible and actively engaged at assigned Bridgeport high schools, in the community, and alongside the Engagement Specialist team.

Benefits

• 39 paid days off, as described in the posting: 10 vacation days, two company shutdown weeks totaling 10 days, 7 personal days, 5 sick days, and 7 holidays, including Juneteenth.
• 100% of medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums paid, with subsidized deductibles.
• Opportunities for advancement.
• Opportunity to participate in Trek, a service immersion to work and live in solidarity with rural community members and build a school.
• Annual performance reviews with merit increases.
• 403(b) retirement plan.
• Pre-tax commuter and flexible spending account benefits.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Opportunity to connect and network with leaders of Fortune 500 organizations.

What This Job Offers

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