Program Manager

Job Title: Program Manager

Organization: The Free Root Operation, Inc.

Location: Chicago, IL

Job Type: Hybrid

Status: Full-time (recurring evenings and weekend availability required)

To apply

For more information about this position or to apply, please send your cover letter, resume, and two professional references to: Director of Operations, Arianne Elena Payne: arianne@freerootoperation.com.

Job Description

Free Root Operation is a budding nonprofit that serves single mothers and women, often erased from gun violence advocacy, as a public safety infrastructure. We address the root causes of gun violence through wraparound wellness and economic development programming that empowers our constituents to heal from harm, break cycles of violence, and shift the trajectory of their families.

Our flagship initiative, The BLOOM Network, is a fleet of several wellness programs designed to meet our constituents along different levels of their wellness journeys. Our Network currently has over 1,800 registrants in the Chicagoland area. The deepest level of care in the Network is the BLOOM Cohort: a five-month intensive wellness program combining individual and family mental health counseling, educational and experiential workshops, and leadership training to produce measurable improvements in participants' hope, energy, mood, and self-worth levels. 

Our organization’s culture embraces several values in service of our mission, including faithful, innovative, fiery, disruptive, rooted, and joyful. Every member of our team embodies our mission, with and beyond our organization, to advance success at the organizational, departmental, and constituent levels.

We are looking for a Program Manager to help develop and implement programming for our BLOOM Network. Ideal candidates are connected to our target geographies and hold a deep resonance with our mission. 

A Program Manager at Free Root Operation must be able to:

Program Development and Execution

• Learn the pre-existing BLOOM Curriculum
• Develop BLOOM curriculum alongside the Executive Director and stakeholders
• Develop collaborative programming with partner organizations
• Co-facilitate programming with the Executive Director and external partners
• Support the Executive Director as needed in program management and development
• Track quantitative and qualitative program metrics
• Set and achieve quarterly goals to grow program impact

Event Logistics

• Be present at all programmatic events (taking place in-person and virtually on weekday evenings and weekends)
• Manage set up, take down, volunteer check-in, etc. at all programmatic events
• Manage and transport FRO programming inventory between events, as needed
• Manage and implement agenda at events
• Manage and administer data collection materials
• Serve as director of all programmatic volunteers

BLOOM Network Management and Administration

• Lead communication for the 2,000 women in the BLOOM Network regarding constituent relations, events, reminders, and updates
• Lead the BLOOM Network and BLOOM Cohort Application Process along with Director of Operations
• Manage and arrange constituent benefits such as transportation services, childcare, food vouchers, etc
• Communicate and coordinate with programming partners on event logistics
• Manage all programmatic event logistics
• Manage all BLOOM Network registrants, applicant eligibility, attendance, assignments, appointments, etc.

Outreach

• Develop systems and practices to build relationships with BLOOM Network participants
• Execute robust and engaging communications to BLOOM Network members through mass text, email, and other methods of correspondence.
• Ensure participants have the resources they need to succeed
• Serve as point of contact for donation outreach coordination and communication
• Secure in-kind donations for all applicable program events
• Arrange in-kind donation deliveries/ pickups
• Track all in-kind donations

General

• Maintain constituent confidentiality
• Have the ability to navigate sensitive subject matter
• Be an organized individual with excellent time management skills
• Have proficiency with Google Suite, Canva, Wix, Microsoft Word, and Excel
• Have access to consistent transportation

Schedule 

Programming takes place on select weekday evenings and weekends recurringly including: Tuesday evenings from 5-8:30 PM, Wednesday evenings from 6-7:00 PM, and alternating Saturdays throughout the year.

You will work with your supervisor to set a 40-hour work schedule that includes these shifts.

Salary & Compensation

The PM is integral to the success of our organization and the future of our work. This is a full-time, exempt position that offers a salary of $50,000.

Benefits include:

• Health Insurance
• Vision
• Dental
• Vacation Time
• Personal Leave
• Sick Leave
• Paid time off from December 22 through January 2

Experience & Qualifications

• Associate degree preferred but not required based on experience
• At least 0-2 years of experience working in program development, curriculum development, or in wellness non-profit settings. 
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with proficiency in documenting constituent progress and outcomes.
• Proficiency in organizational, project management, and budget management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and achieve program objectives.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Asana), Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and Google Suite (Docs, Forms, Sheets).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite 
• Experience with email marketing systems (Constant Contact and MailChimp). 
• Some proficiency with design software, such as PhotoShop or Canva, or willingness/ability to learn new skills such as these 
• Understanding of issues related to housing stability, income inequality, career development, barriers to wellness, and financial empowerment.

Physical Requirements/ Work Environment:

Preferred ability to stand for extended periods of time.

May occasionally transport materials (approximately 20-30 lbs.).