Cohort Programs Manager Remote, Preference Oakland, CA

UpStart brings bold Jewish ideas to light. For nearly two decades, we've partnered with 250+ organizations and thousands of leaders, connecting impact-driven entrepreneurs to the expertise, community, and capital they need to turn ideas into enduring impact.

UpStart was founded with a sole focus: to accelerate the success of social entrepreneurs fueling a renaissance in Jewish life. Today, we're moving from just program provider to field catalyst — shaping how the entire Jewish innovation ecosystem learns, builds, and grows together. We're actively implementing our FY27–29 Strategic Plan, which puts social entrepreneurs at the center of everything we do and codifies our Jewish Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship (JSIE) Methodology as a shared language for the field.

UpStart is an equal opportunity employer, and all individuals are encouraged to apply without regard to race, color, religion, age, disability, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, genetic information, medical condition, veteran status, or any other class protected under federal, state, or local laws. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply, even if you don't meet 100% of the qualifications listed.

UpStart seeks a Cohort Programs Manager to coordinate UpStart's cohort delivery function. They will serve as the primary project manager across program pathways, responsible for supporting program implementation in alignment with participant needs and required program outcomes. As the first point of contact for our cohort programs, they ensure a high-quality, mission-aligned learning experience for every cohort member.

UpStart designs and delivers cohort-based learning experiences that support Jewish innovators and entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. UpLift is our flagship multi-month program built on a structured framework for Jewish social innovation. Our custom cohorts offer specialized training tailored to the specific needs of funders and institutional partners. Through these learning programs, we create and nurture environments for participants to develop practical skills, build trusted peer relationships, and grow their capacity to lead initiatives that make a lasting difference in Jewish life and the broader world.

Cohort sessions span themes including entrepreneurial leadership, adaptive design, and Jewishly informed innovation, with curriculum that continues to evolve in response to participant needs and organizational priorities.

This role reports to the Managing Director, Learning, Community, & Belonging and works in close partnership with our Senior Director, Learning Design & Strategy, Jewish Content Fellow, and UpStart’s Central Operations team. Together, they will align program timelines and virtual/in-person program logistics, ensuring seamless execution from participant registration through completion and evaluation. The Cohort Programs Manager can expect to travel up to 6 times per year for in-person cohort events and team gatherings.

• Coordinate end-to-end delivery of virtual and in-person cohort-based learning sessions across multiple program pathways, ensuring physical and virtual spaces are prepared, well-run, and set up for participant success
• Partner with the Central Operations team (who own recruitment and registration) to help ensure a seamless, high-quality experience from a participant's first touchpoint during recruitment through program completion
• Provide live virtual session support and ongoing virtual learning support between sessions — e.g., monitoring discussion forums, tracking assignment submissions, and sustaining community…