About the Role
Branch: Education and Training
Position Title: Program Manager
Position Type: Full-time, Exempt
Reports To: Director of Adult Education
For over 25 years, the YMCA of Greater Boston’s International Learning Center (ILC) has helped immigrants and adult learners strengthen their English language skills, build essential skills, and pursue educational and career opportunities.
We are seeking a collaborative, organized, and results-driven Program Manager to oversee the daily operations, quality, and performance of our DESE-funded Community Adult Learning Center (CALC) while leading the development and expansion of contextualized ESOL and workforce programs.
In this role, you will lead program planning, develop implementation timelines, coordinate stakeholders, manage program deliverables, and monitor outcomes to ensure successful program delivery. Working closely with center leadership, advisors, instructors, and community partners, you will support student success, strengthen partnerships, and expand pathways to postsecondary education, workforce training, and sustainable employment. You will also contribute to program budgeting, grant reporting, and continuous improvement to support long-term program growth and sustainability.
Key Responsibilities
1. Program Management
- Plan and coordinate student recruitment, intake, assessment, and onboarding activities, establishing clear schedules, responsibilities, and procedures in accordance with state requirements.
- Develop and implement program work plans, timelines, and key deliverables in collaboration with center leadership to ensure effective CALC operations, high-quality programming, and compliance with funder requirements.
- Coordinate with advisors, instructors, and other stakeholders to ensure timely implementation of program activities and achievement of program goals.
- · Monitor key performance indicators, including enrollment, attendance, retention, and student outcomes, and track progress toward established targets.
- Collaborate with advisors and instructors to ensure accurate student data reporting, monitor student progress, and support retention and student success.
- Serve as a key liaison among students, staff, employers, and community partners to strengthen collaboration and support program delivery.
- Coordinate volunteer engagement, graduation activities, and post-program follow-up in collaboration with designated staff and partners.
- Identify operational challenges, adjust implementation plans as needed, and collaborate with center leadership to improve program effectiveness.
2. Program Development, Expansion & Sustainability
- Lead the development and expansion of contextualized ESOL and workforce programs to meet emerging community needs and workforce demands.
- Develop program plans, implementation timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure successful program launches, ongoing operations, and achievement of program goals.
- Coordinate program design, student recruitment, curriculum development, and implementation in collaboration with center leadership, instructors, workforce staff, and community partners.
- Monitor program progress against established timelines and deliverables, identify challenges, and adjust implementation plans based on participant feedback, workforce needs, and program outcomes.
- Build and strengthen partnerships with colleges, employers, and community organizations to expand educational, apprenticeship, and employment pathways and support sustainable program growth.
- Collaborate with leadership and the grant development team on funding proposals, contributing program designs, implementation plans, budgets, and projected outcomes.
- Manage grant reporting timelines and deliverables, coordinating with staff and partners to collect, verify, and submit accurate program and outcome data in accordance with funder requirements.
- Work with leadership and the finance team to develop program budgets, monitor expenditures, and ensure responsible financial management.
- Develop and track billing schedules, coordinate invoicing, and follow up with finance staff to ensure timely submission and compliance with funder requirements.
- Track and report program outcomes, including enrollment, completion, employment, job retention, and educational advancement, while supporting funder relationships and identifying future funding opportunities.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
- Bachelor's degree in Education, Business Administration, Management, or a related field; master's degree preferred.
- Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in program or project management, adult education, ESOL, workforce development, or nonprofit programs.
- Demonstrated program or project management experience, including developing work plans, managing timelines and deliverables, coordinating stakeholders, and tracking progress toward goals.
- Strong organizational, communication, stakeholder management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, and experience using databases or project management tools.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, work collaboratively, and meet deadline
Job Benefits
Why work at the Y?
The YMCA of Greater Boston is an incredible place to have a fulfilling career or enjoy part-time employment — all while we are supporting and strengthening our communities, because our community is our cause. When you join us in your career here, you can look forward to:
- Developing your leadership skills in a caring, challenging & diverse working environment.
- Exploring a wide range of opportunities as you learn new skills and functions.
- Shaping the future of young children while making a difference each day for our communities and each other.
- Engaging in YMCA career training programs and working alongside those who have the same passion.
- A healthy work/life balance
- Comprehensive benefits including:
- FREE YMCA Membership for you.
- Discount on Specialty Programs like Personal Training and Swimming Lessons.
- Discounted or FREE family membership.
- Robust Retirement Plan up to 10%. (see eligibility requirement)
- Health, Dental, and Vision Benefit Package.
- Vacation and Sick Time (PT receive sick time)