Temporary: Program Manager, Veteran Business Resource Center

Operation Open Range Manager

Reporting to the Director of the Utah Veteran Business Resource Center (VBRC). Primary responsibilities include coordinating and supporting the successful implementation of Operation Open Range, and related entrepreneurship training programs, including STRIVE, Ag STRIVE, and Women STRIVE, and other veteran-focused initiatives.

The Manager serves as the primary coordinator for participant recruitment, application management, student engagement, classroom operations, partner communications, and program administration. Under the direction of the Director, this position works closely with internal and external stakeholders including Salt Lake Community College departments, VBRC Business Advisors and Staff, Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), instructors, Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (UDVMA), D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), community partners, Veteran Social, and other ecosystem organizations to ensure qualified participants are recruited and continue through the programs to graduation.

The Manager assists the Director with daily operations and administrative functions related to VBRC and Operation Open Range while ensuring consistent communication, accurate reporting, and effective participant support through each cohort. Working with the VBRC Project Manager, creating and implementing effective, cost-effective marketing strategies focused on program recruitment and other related activities as appropriate.

This position is a six-month, grant-funded temporary role, contingent upon continued funding.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Program Administration & Student Success Coordination

• Coordinates participant movement through the entire program lifecycle and beyond, from recruitment and application through graduation and post-program engagement. Serves as the operational lead ensuring deadlines, communications, enrollment requirements, participant deliverables, and classroom logistics are completed successfully. Decisions directly impact participant experience, retention, and program performance.
• For grant support, provides administrative support for program operations, grant compliance activities, participant tracking, reporting requirements, budget monitoring, event coordination, and documentation management. Maintains accurate records and supports preparation of reports required by funders, college leadership, and program partners.
• Manage the application and enrollment process for all STRIVE cohorts.
• Track and report student engagement and participation throughout the classes.
• Maintain regular communication with applicants to ensure completion of required application materials.
• Coordinate participant onboarding, orientation activities, pre- and during-course communications.
• Monitor participant attendance, engagement, deliverables, and progression throughout each cohort.
• Assist the Director with program administration, reporting requirements, grant deliverables, and operational tracking.
• Develop and maintain program documentation, participant records, attendance logs, and administrative files.
• Support the collection and reporting of program data required by funders and institutional partners.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures with the VBRC Director to document processes and procedures essential to this role.
• Contribute in a meaningful way to the VBRC team and culture.

Recruitment & Enrollment Management

• Manages recruitment activities and applicant tracking systems to maintain enrollment goals for multiple annual cohorts. Provides regular reporting on applicant status, enrollment trends, participant demographics, and recruitment effectiveness.…