Program Manager

Detroit, MI

$60,000 - $62,000 Annually

Friends of the Children Detroit

Program Manager

Friends of the Children is a nonprofit that is impacting generational change by empowering youth through relationships with professional mentors. We do this by providing children facing the most obstacles with a long-term, salaried, professional mentor, who we call a  Friend,  from kindergarten through high school graduation, 12+ years - no matter what. We are currently seeking an extraordinary professional to embark on a new career journey as a Program Manager at our Detroit Chapter.

At Friends of the Children we put children first and use our values to change the way the world treats and views youth facing great barriers. As a Program Manager you will nurture long-term relationships from a foundation of love, acceptance, and culturally informed practice. Are you ready to help build relationships within the communities of our youth and families to strengthen social networks and provide bridges to new opportunities?

If so, the impactful role of a Program Manager might be for you.

The Program Manager is responsible for supervising, guiding and supporting the Friends within the organization. The Program Manager is a role model and mentor for Friends, acts as a team facilitator and organizational motivator, and facilitates effective communication in all directions.

The Program Manager is responsible for supporting the hiring, onboarding and supervision of the New Friends on their team, as well as supporting the onboarding and training of all New Friends. A Program Manager must know, understand, honor and support the organization’s mission, vision, values and principles, be able to clearly articulate the organization’s function, and must have a demonstrated desire to participate in the management of the organization.

Develop and sustain honest and trusting relationships with colleagues and inspire and motivate team members. Serve as a role model both for effective Friend/child relationships and as a professional. Act as a resource for Friends by providing support, guidance, direction and resourceful solutions to concerns and challenges.

• Ensure compliance with and accountability to the organization’s policies, procedures, and practices as outlined in the Employee Manual and Friends Handbook. Contribute to the development of any of these as required. Demonstrate support of organizational decisions in a constructive and effective manner.
• Know and understand the needs and issues of each child served by Friends on assigned team. Meet with each team member one-on-one each month, and review Roadmaps and Transition Plans for each child on a monthly basis. Develop knowledge of academic performance for each child and assist in setting realistic goals for the children. Assure that each Friend has helped develop a specific area of interest or talent for each child.
• Interact with each child on your team at least twice a year by going out with the child and their respective Friend, or by observing Friends with their children during activities or outings. Provide constructive feedback to the Friend on an ongoing basis.
• Actively participate on the PLT and provide insight, input and solutions to programmatic and organizational issues and challenges. Facilitate or lead PLT meetings as required.
• Communicate effectively and appropriately in all directions regarding organizational issues, concerns, policies and procedures. Raise and resolve issues appropriately. Advocate for Friends, representing the best interests of your team and children, doing so in an appropriate and timely manner. Understand, implement and support organizational policies and procedures.
• Solicit and obtain…