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Manager, Program Implementation & Partnerships

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 & partnerships will play a critical role in ensuring that our core work remains high-quality, community-centered, and aligned with our mission.

Position Overview

Jumpstart is seeking a dynamic and collaborative Manager of Program Implementation & Partnerships to lead the execution of our program model in partnership with 82nd Street Academics (and potentially other early learning partners), driving high-quality program delivery and partner engagement in New York City. This is not a typical implementation role; it sits at the intersection of program, strategy, and partnerships and offers a unique opportunity to help shape a new chapter for Jumpstart in NYC.

In addition to managing direct service operations, this Manager will work closely with our Executive in Residence (EIR), a senior leader charged with advancing a bold, innovative vision for early learning in the region. The Manager will be the primary bridge between day-to-day implementation and the EIR’s strategy, helping to test new approaches, surface insights, and build strong, trusted relationships with our partners.

The Manager will also support the continued evolution of Jumpstart’s Family Academies, a key strategy for engaging parents and caregivers as partners in early learning. This includes coordinating family-facing programming, integrating family voice into design, and helping to codify learnings that can inform broader regional and national work.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in community-driven work and is also energized by strategy and systems-level thinking. It’s a great fit for someone who aspires to regional or organizational leadership in the future and wants to build deep experience across implementation, partnerships, and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Program Implementation & Partnership Management

• Lead all aspects of Jumpstart program delivery at 82nd Street and related early learning sites, ensuring fidelity, quality, and strong partner relationships.
• Train and support a diverse group of volunteers and program participants (e.g., high school students, community members, TFA recruits).
• Adapt and enhance programming based on feedback, data, and collaboration with the EIR/Regional Director.
• Coordinate and support Jumpstart’s Family Academies, including outreach, logistics, facilitation support, and documentation of impact.
• Cultivate strong relationships with site leaders, teachers, families, and local champions.

Collaboration with Executive in Residence

• Serve as the operational and strategic connector between organizational mission & goals, program execution, and the EIR’s broader regional vision.
• Support the design, piloting, and refinement of new models or approaches that may emerge from the 82nd Street partnership.
• Document lessons learned and support the EIR in translating insights into regional playbooks or scale strategies.
• Help prepare for key site visits, presentations, or meetings that showcase the partnership's success and potential.

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 EIR/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.

Cross-Team Coordination & Learning

• Contribute to cross-functional learning and improvement cycles with national and regional teams.
• Share qualitative and quantitative data that inform regional storytelling and funding strategies.
• Participate in pilot testing, evaluation efforts, and co-design of scalable programmatic solutions.

Who You Are

• A mission-driven leader with a deep commitment to educational equity and early childhood development.

• A strategic implementer who can toggle between big-picture thinking and strong execution.

• A relationship-builder who thrives in collaborative, community-facing roles.

• An aspiring leader who wants exposure to program design, systems change, and external partnerships.

Qualifications

Required:

• 5+ years of experience in education, youth development, nonprofit leadership, or related fields.
• 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: ASAP

Location: New York

Salary & benefits

Salary - $65,000-$85,000, along with excellent benefits and a great mission-driven work environment

To apply

Please complete an online application and submit a cover letter and resume. Applications without a cover letter may not be considered. Candidates will be reviewed on an on-going basis.

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 may request accommodations needed to participate in the application process.