College Renaissance Corps – Program Manager, Connecticut – 2 Positions Available

Full-Time, Hybrid, Grant Funded Position, Priority Start – 2 Positions Available

Campus Compact is a national coalition of colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education. As the only national higher education association dedicated solely to higher education civic and community engagement, Campus Compact enables higher education institutions to develop students’ citizenship skills and forge effective community partnerships. Our resources support senior administrators, faculty, staff, and students as they pursue community-based teaching, scholarship, and action in the service of positive change.

College Renaissance Corps (CRCorps) is a new AmeriCorps program led by Campus Compact that seeks to partner with community colleges to increase economic mobility and support closing critical talent shortages in high-demand industries by increasing enrollment and work-based learning experiences for current and incoming students. The inaugural programs were launched in Houston in September 2023 and Denver in February 2024. Connecticut will be the third site nationwide starting in September 2024.

In order to launch the program in Connecticut, the CRCorps is seeking a highly organized, relational, and mission-driven individual to serve in the role of Program Manager. The CRCorps Program Manager will be the lead staff member locally supporting AmeriCorps members. The Program Manager will report to the Senior Program Manager and work under the supervision of the National Director, both of whom are based outside of Connecticut. The Program Manager will work closely with leaders and staff from the five host sites, to ensure that all programmatic activities comply with the terms and conditions of the program funder, Serve Connecticut (AmeriCorps). Initial host sites include Asnuntuck, Capital, Housatonic, Manchester, Naugatuck Valley, and Quinebaug Community Colleges. This is a grant-funded, full-time position.

Key responsibilities include:

• Program management - Collaborate with CRCorps senior leadership to develop and implement systems for recruitment, onboarding, training, and support of new AmeriCorps members in alignment with programmatic goals
• People management - Supervise 15+ CRCorps Industry Ambassadors (AmeriCorps members) through ongoing coaching, goal setting, training, and feedback
• Data collection and reporting - Collect, organize, and share performance metrics aligned to key grant and program deliverables 
• Partnership development - Build and sustain relationships with partners to invest them in CRCorps’ mission, vision, and goals, including but not limited to: faculty and staff of higher education institutions, industry leaders, education and workforce development agencies, and nonprofit organizations

Summary of Essential Functions:

Program Management

• Collaborate with the National Director and Senior Program Manager to develop an AmeriCorps member recruitment strategy, selection, onboarding process, and training plan with the support of federal grant management systems, such as eGrants and America Learns.
• Assist in implementing a data collection protocol for the program with respect to performance outputs and objectives for grant reporting and potential audit.
• Utilize customer relationship management database to maintain internal and external program contacts, and track communication with students, staff, and stakeholders.
• Participate with Campus Compact’s staff, networks, and related programming, such as AmeriCorps-focused professional development training, gatherings, and Campus Compact National Service Community of Practice to share ideas, resources, and best practices.
• Coordinate logistics and operations to ensure successful program launch 
• Support ongoing program communication activities and projects as needed.

Member Management

• Supervise 15+ AmeriCorps members serving as part-time CRCorps Industry Ambassadors
• Conduct regular meetings and calls with AmeriCorps members to provide mentorship and guidance, assess compliance, share program updates, and provide opportunities for members to discuss the program and their experiences. 
• Train AmeriCorps members and their host sites about the data collection procedures.
• Conduct member evaluations (at mid-point and end of service term). 
• Issue warnings or initiate disciplinary action for program sites/members found to be non-compliant as needed. 
• Mediate any disputes between members and program sites and/or other members.

Partner Management & Engagement

• Coordinate meetings and develop partnerships among key stakeholders, including campus faculty, staff, students, community organizations’ leaders, and industry representatives, to communicate the program's mission, vision, and goals.
• Travel to industry sites and community events to promote CRCorps and build strategic partnerships
• Work with program sites to integrate AmeriCorps members into strategic initiatives and efforts aligned to program objectives and host site needs. 
• Resolve and navigate any issues that may arise during the course of the program. 

Qualifications​:

• Associate’s degree in a related field; Bachelor’s preferred. Master’s is a plus.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant program and administrative experience; 4+ years is preferred.
• Direct experience in/with AmeriCorps or other national service programs is preferred; program management experience with AmeriCorps or a related initiative is strongly preferred. 
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Strong initiative and personal integrity with demonstrated ability to independently implement program expectations, identify and resolve day-to-day problems, and work collaboratively with colleagues on program activities.
• Ability to plan and implement workshops, meetings, and events that meet specific programmatic goals and service-designated target audiences.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; public speaking and facilitation skills preferred. 
• Strong organizational and documentation skills with demonstrated attention to detail and ensuring compliance standards. 
• Experience with supervision of volunteers or staff; 3-4 years experience in a professional capacity preferred.
• Knowledge of current trends in social and digital media or a strong interest in communications and marketing.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, administrators as well as community-based agencies/groups and the public.
• Have regular access to a vehicle and perform the regular functions of the role across campuses and partner sites.

Location:

This position is hybrid with general activities remote-based and in-person duties required at partner campuses. The Connecticut Program Manager will be required to maintain a mobile office presence on-site several days a week at campus sites. Campus Compact is headquartered in Boston, MA, with a nationally distributed staff, including the CRCorps National Director and the Senior Program Manager.