Program Operations Manager (Part-Time) - Orange County, CA

For The Children•Santa Ana, CA

12h•Onsite

About The Position

For The Children is seeking a part-time Program Operations Manager to support programs serving children in foster care through Royal Family KIDS Camp and Mentoring. The role oversees the day-to-day management of a significant grant-funded initiative, key vendor relationships, and internal child-safety resources. It works across departments and with external partners to keep projects on track, manage resources responsibly, and fulfill commitments. The position reports to the Vice President of Training, Programs and HR and is part of the Programs Department. The position averages 28 hours per week and is hourly (non-exempt). It is based at For The Children's office in Santa Ana, California. The schedule is flexible, with availability during agreed-upon core business hours. Minimal travel is expected, including occasional in-person meetings, organizational gatherings, or program-related events. Occasional flexibility may be needed for grant deadlines or partner meetings.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience in project management, program operations, grant management, nonprofit administration, or a related field.
Proven ability to manage complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, budgets, deadlines, and deliverables.
Strong organizational skills and a track record of independently managing responsibilities and ensuring accountability.
Experience monitoring budgets, tracking expenditures, and maintaining accurate project records.
Strong written and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to collaborate with external partners and organizational leadership.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, and comfort learning project-management and collaboration tools.
Alignment with the Christian mission and values of For The Children.
A Christ follower with a passion for the local Church.
Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, communicate progress, manage multiple priorities, and follow through consistently.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing vendor relationships, coordinating services, or overseeing operational resources.
Familiarity with child protection, youth-serving organizations, or trauma-informed practices.
Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant professional experience.

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day execution of a significant grant-funded initiative and ensure milestones, deliverables, and reporting requirements are met.
Serve as a primary operational contact for grant funders, external evaluators, and other project partners.
Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, and accountability systems.
Monitor grant spending with the Finance team, maintain accurate records, and identify potential budget concerns.
Anticipate and resolve project barriers and keep stakeholders informed about progress, risks, and next steps.
Coordinate preparation and submission of grant-related reports and documentation.
Complete designated child-safety training and maintain knowledge of standards and best practices for youth-serving organizations.
Advise organizational leadership on child-safety policies, practices, and emerging recommendations.
Establish a regular process to review child-safety policies and identify opportunities for improvement.
Maintain relationships with external child-safety experts and organizations to stay informed about evolving standards.
Research and present recommendations to the Vice President and Executive Team for consideration.
Work with relevant departments to communicate recommendations and approved policy changes to appropriate teams.
Manage vendor relationships for merchandise, supplies, and other resources provided to For The Children's chapters.
Monitor vendor performance, product quality, pricing, and fulfillment.
Identify opportunities to improve products, processes, and cost-effectiveness.
Partner with Finance to review financial performance, monitor expenses, and support responsible resource management.
Address vendor-related challenges and coordinate solutions that support chapters and volunteers.