Program Manager - Los Angeles

Friends of the Children—Los Angeles (Friends LA) is seeking a passionate and dedicated leader to serve as the Program Manager (PM) for the Metro South Los Angeles site. The PM will supervise Professional Mentors (Friends), facilitate comprehensive resource navigation, and support youth and their families in Metro South Los Angeles. Friends LA’s model has been proven to break the cycle of generational poverty for children facing significant barriers, providing paid, professional mentors to thousands of youth nationwide. 

The Program Manager will collaborate closely with the Program Director (PD) to ensure the delivery of high-quality mentoring, guided by our implementation, assessment, and evaluation of the two-generation (2Gen) support model. This role is primarily responsible for supporting Friends in their professional development and driving the growth of the program. 

The ideal candidate is an innovative project manager with a strong connection to the communities we serve and a commitment to positively impacting the lives of children and families in Metro South L.A. Priority will be given to candidates who reside in the area and/or have extensive experience working within the community.  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

This position does have direct reports. 

CORE JOB DUTIES: 

• Supervise, inspire, develop, and evaluate efforts of Friends. Serve as role model and mentor for Friends, ensure that they have resources necessary to perform their jobs, act as a team facilitator and organizational motivator, and facilitate effective communication in all directions. 
• Know and understand the needs of the families served. Meet with supervised Friends, and review Roadmaps and Transition Plans for each child monthly. Assure that each Friend has helped develop a specific area of interest or talent for each child. 
• Manage the performance of supervised Friends, including completing and conducting annual and semi-annual performance appraisals with the PD. Hold Friends accountable for work performance, adequacy of time spent with children, quality, and diversity of activities with children, and administrative/reporting responsibilities. 
• Lead and facilitate effective, weekly team meetings ensuring focus on child and Friend successes, setbacks, issues, concerns, and ideas. Ensure focus on the communication of organizational information or issues to team and solicit feedback from team. 
• Review and assess data for accurate reporting and tracking, identify trends, and make recommendations for program modifications. 
• Collaborate with the PD and FED in planning, training, retention, and provide support to youth, families, and Friends. 
• Collect, record, and administer participant assessments and all other participant data for outcomes progress and grant data reporting. 
• Maintain efficient, confidential, and organized records; provide timely and appropriate case notes in our CRM database. 
• Help PD and FED identify resources and establish partnerships to strengthen and enhance the program and services to youth and families; Maintain partner service provider listserv by participating in regular networking opportunities.
• Collaborate and strategize with parents to effectively partner with outside support systems and organizations. 
• Support the PD and FED with developing a pipeline of youth referrals for enrollment through partnership engagement. 
• Utilize program data to help develop, implement, and sustain enrichment activities and program excellence. 
• Develop trusting, supportive relationships with the youth and caregivers we serve. 
• Maintain partnerships with schools, services, and organizations to enhance youth’s experience. 

COMPETENCIES: 

To perform the job successfully, the individual should demonstrate the following competencies: 

• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems promptly; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem-solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics. 
• Project Management – Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes tasks on time and budget; Manages project team activities. 
• Technical Skills – Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to build knowledge and skills continuously; Shares expertise with others. 
• Service – Manages difficult or emotional youth and/or family situations; Responds promptly to youth needs; Solicits feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments. 
• Interpersonal Skills – Focuses on solving conflict,