Program Manager, Continuum in Chicago, Illinois at Urban Initiatives

Urban Initiatives Overview

Founded in 2003, Urban Initiatives is a nonprofit organization that runs youth development programs in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Urban Initiatives’ mission is to use the power of sport and play to empower Chicago’s youth to achieve academic success, develop social-emotional skills, and build social capital. Currently, Urban Initiatives serves an estimated 85 schools throughout the City of Chicago.

Program Manager, Continuum

Urban Initiatives is seeking a Program Manager to oversee the implementation and quality of multiple sports-based youth development programs across a caseload of schools. This role manages coaches, partnerships, systems, and events, ensuring that programs are delivered with fidelity, care, and consistency.

The Program Manager plays a critical role in supporting a caseload of school-based programs, ensuring strong partnerships with school communities and high quality experiences for students, coaches, and families. This role is responsible for coach supervision and development, program quality, and seasonal planning and transitions. This is a highly collaborative, hands-on role suited for someone who is organized, relationship-driven, and energized by creating meaningful opportunities for young people through sport and play.

This role may support:

• Pre-K Soccer
• Elementary Soccer (Play with Potential)
• Middle School Leadership (Take the Lead)
• Summer of Sport Camp

Our Culture:

Our healing-centered approach to youth development helps young people reach their full potential and puts YOU right in the middle of making an impact that will shape generations of Chicago youth. We are coaches by trade, and we bring this expertise into our work environment. You can expect us to deliver ample learning opportunities, growth mindsets, a culture of feedback and transparency, and fun as a core value. Our first-in-class benefits- including competitive salaries and fully-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance - are guaranteed to keep you in the game.

Are you ready to put passion into action to build a stronger Chicago?

Core Responsibilities

• Coach Recruitment, Onboarding, and Supervision
• • Recruit, onboard, train, and supervise Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches, and Take the Lead Coaches across assigned schools in the Near and Far South OR Southwest neighborhoods
  • Travel to partner school sites at least three times per week for site visits, coach support, and programming or events
  • Support assigned coaches employment cycle from onboarding and performance management through end-of-program offboarding
• Program Implementation and Quality
• • Oversee high-quality program delivery aligned with curriculum, program models, and conditions for success, including:

• • • Pre-K Soccer
    • Play with Potential (Elementary Soccer)
    • Take the Lead (Middle School Leadership)
    • Summer of Sport (Seasonal Programming)

• Partnership and Stakeholder Management
• • Serve as the primary point of contact for school administrators and OST liaisons at assigned schools
  • Lead required start-of-year, mid-year, and end-of-year meetings and communications
  • Maintain strong partner satisfaction through proactive communication and problem-solving
• Systems, Data, and Compliance
• • Manage program administration systems, including attendance, evaluations, and reporting
  • Maintain organized, up-to-date documentation and trackers
• Department Engagement and Collaboration
• • Participate in department and cross-department meetings and planning
  • Collaborate with colleagues to problem-solve and share best practices
  • Provide timely feedback and insights to support team learning and program improvement
    
    

Key Competencies for Success:

• Relationship Management: Build trust with coaches, school partners, and colleagues through consistent communication and follow-through
• Communication: Share clear timelines, expectations, and updates; closes feedback loops promptly
• Program and Organizational Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of program models, curriculum, and SOPs
• Time and Resource Management: Manage multiple priorities, meets deadlines, and plans effectively for seasonal peaks
• Problem Solving: Anticipate challenges, identify solutions, and follow through to resolution
  
  

Ideal Skills and Qualifications:

• Experience managing youth programs, out-of-school-time (OST) programming, or similar community-based initiatives
• Experience supervising, coaching, mentoring, or supporting staff
• Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Comfort using digital tools and systems to track tasks, data, and communication
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and youth-centered practices
• Experience partnering with schools, families, and community stakeholders
• Knowledge of social-emotional learning (SEL), positive youth development, and/or sport-based youth development models

Compensation Package:

• $52,000 Competitive salary
• Health, dental, and vision insurance options available
• Life, short term disability, and long-term disability insurance are paid 100% by Urban Initiatives
• Option to contribute to a 401K with up to a 3% match of your salary after one full year of employment
• Flexible Time Off available
• Paid holidays (Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day)

Additionally, our values of Teamwork and Inclusion ensure that Urban Initiatives is an environment where you will be supported and welcomed by your coworkers and peers.

Target Start Date is August 3, 2026