Program Manager, Western MA (Bilingual Spanish/English)
Families First
Parents have the power to shape their children’s futures.
Job Description
Families First Overview
Parents have the power to shape their children’s futures. Families First (www.families-first.org) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring parents of young children together in their communities so they can strengthen their parenting knowledge, skills, and support systems.
Positive parenting practices in early childhood are strongly linked to children’s language acquisition, literacy outcomes, cognitive skills, social competence, confidence, school achievement, and more. Our vision is that every parent is strong and supported, every child is thriving and resilient, and every community benefits from the power of parents.
It is an exciting time for Families First, as we begin to expand our programming in Boston (where we are headquartered) and across Massachusetts. Currently, we are preparing to launch our Power of Parenting and Parent Leadership programs in Hampden County in early 2022.
Position Overview
The Program Manager will play a critical role in Families First’s continued success and will collaborate closely with the Regional Director to support the launch of our programming in Western MA, with a focus on Hampden County.
This position will oversee the coordination and successful execution of our signature 12-session Power of Parenting program. The program includes evidence-informed workshops for parents of children from birth to age eight — where they learn effective strategies to promote their child’s healthy development — as well as Parent Café discussion sessions and a graduation celebration. The program is held at local partner sites, and this position will also manage partner relationships and help to develop new partnerships over time.
With support from Families First’s central office team, the Regional Director, and parent leaders, the Program Manager position will also oversee our Parent Leadership program locally, which offers a structured pathway for parents to lead paid projects and take on longer-term positions with Families First or our community partners.
Opportunities for professional development and coaching are available, as are opportunities to think creatively and contribute ideas and perspectives as we launch and grow this work. There is potential for job growth as we build up our programming in the region over the next few years.
This position reports to the Regional Director, Western MA. This is a full-time exempt position, and it requires availability to attend evening program sessions and meetings occasionally.
Essential Job Functions
Families First will launch two Power of Parenting programs in early 2022 and will begin growing the number of programs in subsequent years. Initially, this position will support and collaborate closely with the Regional Director, Western MA to develop processes and procedures to ensure success over time.
As that work is completed, this position will focus more on program coordination and logistics (overseeing 6-8 programs in FY2022-23) and relationship management, as well as launching and coordinating the Parent Leadership Program.
Responsibilities include:
1. Power of Parenting program implementation and logistics
- Coordinate all logistical aspects of the program, ensuring that programs meet desired outcomes and run according to Families First protocols
- Oversee program materials, calendars, space, and technology (Zoom and Salesforce database)
- Work closely with Parenting Educators (who facilitate the program sessions) and ensure successful delivery of curriculum
- Manage recruitment and retention logistics, such as welcome emails, weekly texts, and email reminders
- Support Parent Leaders as they help with outreach efforts
- Manage parent registration in collaboration with the Program Administrative Coordinator
- Run information sessions, and attend select program sessions to guide other activities, such as Parent Leader selection and connecting families to additional resources
- Ensure that evaluation tools are collected, and provide outcomes reports for partners (guided by central office evaluation team)
2. Partner relationship management
- Work with Regional Director, Western MA to cultivate and sustain relationships with partner organizations and ensure that partnership agreements are carried out
- Participate in coalitions, and attend strategic meetings in the area
3. Parent Leadership Program implementation
This position will assist the Regional Director, Western MA to launch our Parent Leadership program. The program includes leadership trainings and Community Impact Projects led by parents who have graduated from the Power of Parenting program. Responsibilities will include:
- Recruiting, orienting, and coordinating trainings for Parent Leadership Fellows and Ambassadors
- Supporting the Regional Director to oversee Community Impact Projects, including identifying and managing partners, developing project charters, and executing agreements
- Running monthly program cohort meetings
- Coordinating the Parent Leadership program graduation in collaboration with Parent Ambassadors
Ideal Qualifications
- 2+ years of experience successfully managing programs/projects
- 3+ years of family and community engagement experience (a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) may be substituted for two years of the required experience)
- Previous experience working with nonprofit or social service agencies in Hampden County
- Cultural competence and experience working in culturally diverse environments
- Organizational skills and high attention to detail
- Ability to think creatively and implement new, innovative systems to achieve goals
- Ability to work well independently (self-motivated) and in a collaborative team environment
- High aptitude for interpersonal relations
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, flexibility, and the ability to learn quickly
- Comfortable with MS Office suite, e.g., Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook
Requirements
- English-Spanish bilingual capability is required
- Candidate is required to be mobile and occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 lbs.
- Must be able to travel to/within Hampden County, MA
- Candidate needs to be available to work some evenings as needed/on occasion
Benefits
Families First is proud to maintain a balanced work environment for all employees. We offer:
- Medical and dental insurance for employee and family (Families First pays 70%; medical plan is Blue Cross Blue Shield)
- Medical Expense Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care FSA
- 3 weeks of vacation time to start, with increases over time
- 12 paid holidays, 12 paid sick days, and 2 personal days
- Paid family leave to supplement Massachusetts Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML)
- Flexible work schedule
- Office and meeting space in downtown Springfield
Salary range:
$50,000—$60,000 commensurate with skills and experience
Families First has a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We aim to attract candidates who hold these same values. Families First is an equal opportunity employer for all regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.
Families First has a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We aim to attract candidates who hold these same values. Families First is an equal opportunity employer for all regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.