Program Manager

ABOUT US

New York Edge is New York’s leading provider of after-school programs; as such we are considered an essential service to families throughout all the five boroughs. The mission of New York Edge is to help bridge the opportunity gap among underserved students by providing programs designed to improve academic performance, health and wellness, self-confidence, character and attitudes for success in life.  

Summary: 

The Program Manager has overall responsibility for the operation and success of 6 - 8 comprehensive after-school programs based in a K-12 school within the five boroughs. The Program Manager will be responsible for contract compliance, curriculum development, training, implementation of enrichment activities and theme based projects, recruitment of staff, scheduling of activities, daily supervision of Program Directors, record keeping and reporting and assist with the planning and organizing of special events and monitor budgeting. The Program Manager is the primary liaison between New York Edge and school principals, between Program Director and New York Edge staff, between Program Director and funding source. New York Edge Program Manager must embrace positive child and youth development principles and practices. These include building on youth strengths rather than focusing on youth deficits; setting and maintaining high expectations; understanding the centrality of and fostering positive relationships with peers and adults; providing age-appropriate and challenging programming; engaging participants as partners, not just as consumers of services; promoting positive identity formation and helping young people to fully develop their potential. The Program Manager respects and values the cultures and traditions of participants, their families and their communities, and treats all participants and staff equally, irrespective of race, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age or disability. New York Edge Program Manager must appreciate the range of abilities and diverse needs of children and youth in our programs. Our programs typically run from 3-6pm during the week and we often have opportunities throughout the 5 boroughs.  

Essential Job Functions:

• Train Program Director in areas of recruitment, scheduling, staffing, program design, and Sports & Arts philosophy.

• Provide crisis management.

• Negotiate with Principals on issues of space, staffing, activities, etc.

• Liaison with Funders.

• Speak to parents about incidents and general concerns.

• Program Development & Evaluation.

• Conduct periodic site visits and provide feedback to Program Directors. 

• Deliver specific qualitative assessments of all aspects of the programs.

• Attend weekly meetings with Directors, other Program Managers, Office Personnel, Department Directors, Finance, Human Resources, Compliance, Data, Development and Communications. 

• Assist Program Directors with program design.

• Conduct Program evaluations.

• Meet with Program Directors to establish quarterly goals and review overall program performance Assess and evaluate program quality through site visits and discussions with Program Directors and school administrators (provide diplomatic and constructive criticism as well as encouragement and praise).

• Assist site coordinators in the development of age and site appropriate curricula.

• Facilitate resources and service allocation such as; access to snack, security and fingerprinting, etc.).

• Build collaboration between key after-school stakeholders, especially site coordinators, principals, to support the institutionalization of after-school programs.

• Encourage and support Program Directors and line staff in their professional development (identify problem areas and potential weaknesses) to build the field of after-school staff and improve program operations, offerings and atmosphere.

• Assist Program Directors in the development of needs assessment within their school communities and monitor the implementation of strategies to address those needs.

• Administrative Supervision.

• Work closely with Program Directors, school principals and other key stakeholders to ensure RoP is met.

• Ensures all programs within the portfolio are compliant with DYCD, DOE and DOHMH regulations, timelines and are staying abreast of all local, state and federal pandemic management conditions and requirements. 

Grants Management 

• This position is required to travel to multiple locations within NYC in order to meet and ensure New York Edge programs are meeting contractual obligations. 

• Enforce New York Edge policies to ensure compliance with grant agreements and regulations mandated by after-school partners, e.g., DOE, DYCD, OCFS, DOH and other funding sources.

• Monitor attendance reports and follow-up on individual site issues related to attendance, enrollment and contract compliance issues.

• Oversee fiscal management of programs, including analysis and completion of budgets, approval on expense reports and approving and issuing reimbursement to programs.

• Develop fiscal strategies with the accounting department.

• Review, edit and approve quarterly reports for submission. 

• Follow-up on communications that miss their destinations.

• Write annual program appraisals to program directors of Champions Clubs.

• Develop networks amongst Program Directors and other Program Directors who are struggling with similar issues at the site level.

• Ensure each site maintains program files and other required documentations (DOH compliance).

• Maintain comprehensive files for legal, correspondence, financial and grant compliance purposes.

• Participate in the grant review process for new after-school programs.

• Serve as an external communication resource for New York Edge regarding issues of program quality, funding, training, research, and on-going partnerships and initiatives (e.g., relations with potential funders, policy makers from other cities, etc.).

• Serve as a knowledge-base about New York Edge programs by providing qualitative and anecdotal data to shape New York Edge policies as well as the growing field of after-school programming.

• Advocate for Program Directors through New York Edge leadership and assist New York Edge in understanding site-based experiences.

• Recommend programs for new New York Edge initiatives, promising practices, and research.

Knowledge:

• DOE/Public School System

• NYC, NY State and Federal funding sources for after-school programs

• Curriculum design and implementation

• Program Evaluation and assessment

• Various organizations/networks involved in after-school programming issues

• Community development

• Fiscal planning

• Knowledge of planning and executing online/virtual/ remote learning models

Required Skills:

• Passion for New York Edge mission and youth development 

• Reliable, organized and punctual 

• Must be able to switch to at home/remote work should the need arise

• Knowledge of effective sports, arts, and academic programming 

• Expert understanding of New York City and New York State education requirements in an urban setting 

• Strong leader and team-builder 

• Ability to resolve conflicts and negotiate solutions 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with School Leadership and Program Directors 

• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills with proven ability to interact with a diverse range of individuals both in person and over the phone, applying tact and discretion as situations demand.

• Must have excellent organizational, time management and follow-up skills 

• Must be able to clearly articulate outcome requirements and provide the necessary and appropriate resources and support for Program Directors to successfully deliver on objectives 

• Responsible and professional conduct that serves as role model to staff and youth 

• Exhibits strong character traits and exercises patience and creativity while seeking win-win scenarios 

• Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines 

• Must demonstrate ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required with preference in Education, Psychology, or Social Work

• At least 18.0 credit hours from an accredited college or university in the field of Education

• Prior work experience in urban education, including supervisory experience

• Teaching and afterschool management experience preferred 

• All Program Directors are required to complete a mandatory 15-hour OCFS Health and Safety Classroom course within three (3) months of employment to maintain Department of Health and Mental Hygiene compliance at site.