Manager, Program Implementation (Bay Area)

Reports to: Managing Director, Program Management

FLSA Status: Exempt

Organizational Overview

Jumpstart is a national early education nonprofit working toward the day every child in America enters kindergarten prepared to succeed. We provide evidence-based language, literacy, and life skills programming to preschool children from underserved communities, delivered by a broad network of trained college students and community volunteers. Since our founding in 1993, Jumpstart has supported over 209,000 children and mobilized more than 71,000 volunteers. As we transform for impact and scale, local program leadership will play a critical role in ensuring that our core work remains high-quality, community-centered, and aligned with our mission.

Position Overview

The Manager, Program Implementation serves as Jumpstart’s local program leaders, responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality programming that advances early learning outcomes and engages volunteers meaningfully. This role is the bridge between strategy and execution, translating Jumpstart’s national vision into a strong local experience that meets the unique needs of children, families, and community partners.

Reporting to the Managing Director, Program Management, the Manager oversees program implementation across multiple sites within their assigned region, ensuring fidelity to evidence-based practices while adapting for cultural and community relevance. They will build and maintain strong relationships with early education partners, coach and support implementers, and collaborate closely with Regional Directors on strategy and Regional Coordinators on logistics.

The ideal candidate is both a hands-on operator and strategic problem-solver, someone who thrives on managing details without losing sight of the big picture. This is an opportunity to shape program quality, foster deep community partnerships, and contribute to innovations that strengthen Jumpstart’s model and impact during an exciting period of organizational transformation.

Key Responsibilities

Program Implementation & Quality Assurance

• Oversee the day-to-day delivery of Jumpstart programs within the assigned region, ensuring fidelity to evidence-based practices and alignment with organizational goals.

• Support the implementation of dosage, family engagement components, and quality standards, monitoring adherence and addressing barriers.

• Conduct program quality assessments through observation, feedback, and data review, and collaborate on solutions for continuous improvement.

Partner Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary liaison to local early education partners, including preschools, community-based organizations, and higher education institutions.

• Support partner onboarding and facilitate training for Jumpstarters and program partners.

• Gather partner feedback to inform program enhancements and identify opportunities for stronger engagement.

Staff & Jumpstarter Support

• Provide coaching and technical assistance to site-based implementers (Jumpstarters and program partners) to ensure high-quality program delivery.

• Support volunteer engagement efforts in collaboration with the Regional Director and Coordinator, including orientation and recognition activities.

• Troubleshoot program challenges and provide hands-on problem-solving for implementers and partners.

Operational Coordination

• Partner with the Regional Coordinator on program logistics such as material distribution, scheduling, and reporting requirements.

• Monitor partner compliance with agreements and ensure timely submission of data and documentation.

• Track and report on program performance metrics to the Managing Director of Program Management and relevant stakeholders.

Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Work closely with the Curriculum, Training & Support team to ensure local training needs are met and feedback informs resource development.

• Collaborate with the Impact & Evaluation team to support data collection and analysis for program outcomes.

• Participate in national learning communities to share local insights and inform the evolution of Jumpstart’s program model.

Qualifications

Required:

• 5+ years of experience in program management, education leadership, or nonprofit program delivery.

• Demonstrated success in partner engagement and stakeholder management, especially in community or education contexts.

• Strong understanding of early childhood education principles and quality practices.

• Excellent project management and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple priorities with attention to detail.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and support diverse partners.

• Commitment to Jumpstart’s mission and values.

Preferred:

• Familiarity with Head Start, state pre-K, or community-based early childhood programs.

• Experience supporting volunteer-based initiatives or licensing/distributed service delivery models.

• Knowledge of data-driven program improvement strategies.

• Bachelor’s degree in education, social sciences, or related field; master’s degree preferred.

Travel: Regular local travel for site visits, partner meetings, and events; occasional national travel for staff gatherings and training.

Start date: Winter 2025

Location: Bay Area, California

Salary & benefits: Salary - $65,000 - $75,000, along with excellent benefits and a great mission-driven work environment

To apply:

Please submit a resume and cover letter by EOD on Friday, August 22.

Jumpstart for Young Children, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital or parental status, amnesty, political affiliation, veteran status, military service, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, applicants should reach out to HR @ jstart.org to request accommodations needed to participate in the application process.