Program Manager, Bay Area

Overview

Writopia Lab is an award-winning 501(C)(3) nonprofit that runs creative writing workshops for kids ages 4 to 18. Since its formation in New York City in 2007, Writopia Lab has grown into a nationwide community of young writers. Our mission is to foster joy, literacy, and critical thinking in children and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing. We create a safe and engaging space for writers, and we aim to provide the creative inspiration, individual attention, and intellectual environment that may not be available to them at school.

The Program Manager is responsible for supporting the delivery, growth, and visibility of Writopia Lab’s programs in the San Francisco Bay Area through program administration, community outreach, partnership development, and instructing workshops in accordance with Writopia Lab’s mission and pedagogy. The person in this position reports to and collaborates closely with the Regional Manager to cultivate and maintain relationships with schools, libraries, and community partners.

The Program Manager will interact with internal teams as well as parents/guardians who enroll their kids and teens in workshops, facilitating positive communication and efficient and effective running of programs. This position takes the lead in maintaining the physical workshop spaces, including anticipating and addressing needs for spaces.

• Assist with workshop registration, enrollment, and communication between staff and parents.
• Coordinate the inventory and distribution of workshop supplies, including snacks, writing materials, and office supplies at all in‑person Writopia locations in the Bay Area.
• Develop and manage Bay Area community engagement and strategic partnerships with schools, libraries, and community‑based organizations to support program growth and revenue.
• Represent the organization at community events like street fairs, school fairs, and other public engagement events.
• Support online and in‑person program operations for West Coast locations outside the Bay Area when needed.
• Collaborate with the Regional Manager on marketing initiatives; lead efforts on content creation, design, social media engagement, and identifying target audiences.

• Lead in‑person and off‑site workshops and private sessions for children and teens in accordance with Writopia’s pedagogy.
• Engage with young writers on a group and individual basis, encourage setting and achieving writing goals in a fun and productive way.
• Foster a supportive, collaborative, safe workshop environment where writers feel comfortable expressing themselves.
• Navigate workshop dynamics, ensuring writers of different abilities, strengths, and affinities feel included and inspired.
• Provide strength‑based feedback to writers regularly in the workshop and complete end‑of‑trimester written feedback for families.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree preferred
• One year experience at a non‑profit organization, preferably one that is youth‑services centered
• Two years experience with administration and/or operations
• Experience in a public‑facing customer service role, preferably at a non‑profit
• Enthusiasm and experience working with youth
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Knowledge of the Google platform, especially Google sheets; willingness to learn new technology tools
• Knowledge of social media platforms and conventions
• Published fiction and/or nonfiction and/or produced plays preferred

This is an in‑person position at our Oakland location, with regular travel within the San Francisco Bay Area.
The typical work schedule is Tuesday - Saturday, 40 hours per week; daily schedule varies and will generally be eight hours per day falling within the hours of 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM.

The annual salary for this position is $70,000

• Medical Insurance (employer pays 98% of premium for primary plan, though other options are available)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401K plan with employer…