Program Manager, Chicago

Program Manager, Chicago (NOT HYBRID or REMOTE)

Location Requirement: Candidates must reside in Chicago, Illinois, to be considered for this position.

Position Summary

The Program Manager will manage the planning, coordination, and delivery of Common Threads programs across Chicago and surrounding communities. This role will work closely with schools, community-based organizations, healthcare institutions, Chef Instructors, and internal teams to ensure programs run smoothly, meet quality standards, and fulfill partner, grant, and contract requirements.

The Program Manager will manage program schedules, coordinate partner communication, supervise assigned Chef Instructors, monitor program data and documentation, and support compliance and reporting. The ideal candidate has experience in project or program management, youth programming, nutrition education, community health, or nonprofit operations. This individual must be highly organized, responsive, relationship-focused, and comfortable managing multiple programs and deadlines.

This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Director of Programs & Partnerships. The role follows a fully remote work model. Regular local travel to school and community partner sites throughout the Chicago area is required, with occasional travel outside Chicago.

• Manage the day-to-day implementation of school-based, healthcare, and community programs throughout Chicago and surrounding communities.
• Coordinate with school administrators, teachers, community partners, and healthcare partners to schedule programs and confirm implementation requirements.
• Develop and maintain program schedules, implementation plans, site information, and internal tracking tools.
• Coordinate program materials, curriculum, groceries, equipment, facility access, and other program needs.
• Communicate program expectations, schedules, changes, and updates to Chef Instructors, partner contacts, volunteers, and internal staff.
• Monitor enrollment, attendance, completion, and program progress against established goals.
• Identify scheduling conflicts, staffing gaps, supply issues, and other implementation barriers. Escalate concerns and coordinate solutions promptly.
• Support the implementation of health-focused initiatives with local healthcare and community partners.
• Coordinate and facilitate special events at schools, community-based organizations, and other partner locations.
• Document program and partner activities accurately and consistently in Salesforce and other approved systems.

• Support assigned Chef Instructors delivering programs throughout the Chicago area.
• Work with staff to coordinate Chef Instructor scheduling and maintain appropriate coverage for programs, events, training, and observations.
• Support Chef Instructor recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, training and offboarding as needed.
• Communicate curriculum updates, organizational procedures, partner requirements, and other relevant information.
• Address missing documentation, scheduling concerns, and payment discrepancies in coordination with the Associate Director, Finance, Operations, or Human Resources.
• Foster a supportive and accountable team culture focused on learning, communication, program quality, and participant experience.

• Conduct regular in-person and virtual program observations to assess curriculum fidelity, instructional quality, participant engagement, and adherence to program standards.
• Provide timely feedback and coaching to Chef Instructors following program observations.
• Ensure assigned programs comply with organizational policies, partner agreements, grant requirements, contracts, and implementation standards.
• Monitor completion of required background checks, fingerprinting, certifications, training, and other personnel documentation.
• Track attendance, participant rosters, consent and assent forms, surveys, waivers, and other required records.
• Review program documentation for accuracy and completeness before submission.
• Maintain organized program and compliance records in approved organizational systems.
• Escalate compliance concerns, missed requirements, safety issues, and documentation gaps promptly.
• Support corrective action plans and follow-up activities when program or compliance concerns arise.

• Oversee timely and accurate collection of program data, including enrollment, attendance, demographics, pre- and…