Program Manager

Job Description

Job Title
Program Manager, Full time, Exempt

Supervisor
Senior Director of Program Development

Supervision Responsibilities
- Supervises 1-2 full time team members on the Programming team and occasional temporary team members (interns, temp assistants, etc.)
- Manage the work of contractors, vendors, and volunteers

Pay Rate
Hiring Range $70,304 - $72,384, dependent on experience

Pay Grade
P1E [$70,304 - $79,040 annually]

Hours
- Approx. 40 hours per week
- 4 day work week, with average 10 hours per day

Anticipated Start Date
January 11, 2027

Location
- Must be located in Los Angeles County.
- Primarily hybrid position, mostly remote work with required in person event preparation and support with varying schedules. Typically once per week in the office.
- Team Wellness and Development Meetings held in Metro, East, and South Los Angeles.

Travel Requirements
- This position requires approximately 25% of travel within Los Angeles County.
- This position requires approximately 5% of travel in state and nationally.
- This position requires frequent local travel between working locations that requires the following:

• Valid California drivers license with no more than 2 points on driving record
• Reliable personal vehicle
• Maintenance of insurance coverage as required by law

So’oh-Shinálí Sister Project (SSSP) does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Indigenous community members, People/Women of Color, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, transgender, and Two Spirit people, and those with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

So’oh-Shinálí Sister Project believes in the power of a shared table. We are committed to building a culturally inclusive team as we center belonging, collective growth, and equity.

About
So’oh-Shinálí Sister Project (SSSP) is an Indigenous-women led nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the Native American and Indigenous community of Los Angeles County through intentional, intergenerational, and inclusive services. SSSP was created by three Native American women driven to create culturally-rooted, community-driven wellness and education opportunities.

SSSP promotes Indigenous education and wellness to empower Indigenous community members in the urban setting through core values, intergenerational relationship building, and inclusive community-based programming rooted in cultural practices.

SSSP is rooted in Indigenous core values, practices, and beliefs passed on to us by the matriarchs in our family, our grandmothers. Our 4 core values include relationships, respect, reciprocity, and responsibility.

Position Summary
The Program Manager is responsible for overseeing logistical planning, facilitation, and execution of community events and activities dedicated to American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Indigenous community members throughout Los Angeles County. This role will directly supervise and manage the performance of one full-time project coordinator. Strong attention to detail, an organized approach, and effective communication skills are instrumental to this role. The Program Manager contributes to many essential areas for successful community programs through event coordination, oversight, and community engagement. This role is also responsible for contributing to data analysis and writing grant reports.

Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
Program Development and Implementation (40%)

• Manage planning of culturally inclusive events, presentations, and hands-on cultural arts activities for community members and allies
• Serve as primary support for programming team through design, implementation, and completion of intentional community gatherings
• Regularly check in with senior leadership on grant milestones and progress
• Design program objectives to align with community needs and larger organizational goals
• Oversee the development of resources by Project Coordinators including presentations and supporting materials with clear learning objectives; final approval by senior leadership
• Attend technical assistance and grantee meetings held by philanthropic partners
• Develop program evaluations and surveys to shape services and guide programming
• Monitor attendance and survey completion for events to support grant development
• Support the development of program agendas including planning run-throughs, pre-event set up meetings, program implementation, and post-event debrief meetings with partners
• Lead in-office event preparation days including: printing name tags, signage, registration information, assembling tote bags, etc.
• Provide timely updates on deliveries, changes to orders, venue confirmations, and equipment/service needs; provide input to resolve capacity and service needs
• Support operations including grant budget management, logistical coordination, supply distribution, and delegating tasks to colleagues

Supervision, Development & Management (20%)

• Directly supervise Project Coordinator; oversee contractors, interns, and volunteers, as needed
• Delegate tasks and guide the work of direct reports, including ensuring completion and discussion of seasonal work plan documents that reflect annual strategic goals
• Schedule and lead check in meetings with direct reports; manage agendas and provide organizational updates
• Lead and facilitate project and grant meetings for team members
• Approve and review direct report time off, absences, and expenses
• Plan coverage for direct report responsibilities in temporary or long term absences
• Drive transparency and streamline communication regarding program milestones, risks, and successes to supervisor and guide team members
• Manage performance concerns, conduct annual and 90 day evaluations
• Identify opportunities for direct report development, accountability, and feedback

Community Engagement and Outreach (20%)

• Provide services from a community-centered, strengths-based, and relational approach
• Maintain relationships and partnerships with Indigenous community and organizations
• Hold space for meaningful connection, joy, and belonging
• Represent the organization at community outreach events, panels, and conferences
• Deliver presentations to community members, community partners, local government agencies, and stakeholders to cultivate, maintain, and strengthen partnerships
• Conduct meetings with community partners to plan collaborative events
• Support with submission and pick up of organizational marketing materials
• Assist in the creation, coordination, and implementation of multimedia projects (posts, reels, newsletters, etc.) to increase awareness of available resources and improve community engagement
• Refer community members to Wellness Providers and other resources as needed

Administrative Support (10%)

• Perform administrative functions, such as reviewing or writing grant reports, enforcing standards, purchasing materials, or contracting services
• Complete supervisor-approved purchases, submit all required documentation within the specified deadlines
• In collaboration with supervisor and operations colleagues, track all assigned project/grant expenditures, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and adherence to financial policies and guidelines
• Support with programmatic purchases and distribution of materials, including mailing packages and outreach materials
• Ensure programming material in the organization’s storage unit is maintained and effectively organized and labeled
• Review and approve direct report related administrative work weekly (timesheets, expenses, etc.)

Organization Responsibilities (10%)

• Ensure accurate physical and digital storage of finished projects and reports
• Maintain protection of sensitive data and uphold data/cyber security protocols
• Identify opportunities for improvement and make constructive suggestions for change
• Respond to all emails, phone calls, and other correspondences in a timely manner
• Communicate relevant project information, resolve issues in a timely manner, provide updates to team and Board of Directors as needed
• Attend, contribute to, and occasionally lead and facilitate team meetings
• Attend and engage in required trainings, meetings, and team gatherings
• Uphold organizational policies, goals, objectives, and procedures
• Engage in individual professional development that advances position specific work and aspirations
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor, department lead, or Executive Director

Qualifications
Required

• Ability to maintain a learning stance, use discretion, and uphold confidentiality
• Initiative, positive attitude, flexibility to adapt, and willingness to learn in community
• Ability to work on a team, independently, in the office, or at home office/space
• Experience upholding cultural competence, social justice, and inclusion through practice
• Bachelor’s degree and three to five years of work experience or four to six equivalent years of work experience required
• Grant project management and administration, compliance and performance tracking with demonstrated experience meeting grant deliverables
• Experience with project management and administrative operations activities such as budget and accounting processes, reporting and risk management planning
• Exhibit exceptional organizational skills in short and long term planning, analysis and problem solving
• Strong skills in written communication with focus on clarity, accuracy and attention to detail
• Demonstrate relational leadership skills including verbal/written communication, active listening and critical thinking to manage direct reports and effectively represent the organization
• Experience serving individuals within the AI/AN and Indigenous community and/or other marginalized communities (Two Spirit, LGBTQIA+, varying abilities, BIPOC, etc.)
• Knowledge and awareness of Los Angeles County and familiarity of local community resources that support AI/AN and Indigenous community members
• Technological competency and comfort navigating office software platforms
• Direct experience supervising full-time team members, including providing feedback, delegating tasks, overseeing performance reviews, etc.
• Experience conducting programs and community needs assessments and evaluations
• Valid California drivers license with no more than 2 points on driving record, reliable personal vehicle, and maintenance of insurance coverage as required by law
• Platform proficiency in: Google Workspace, MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, , Tiktok, and Instagram

Preferred

• Proficiency in managing marketing (posts, reels, newsletters, etc.) for a variety of media platforms
• Master’s degree in relevant field preferred
• Direct experience mentoring team members and peers across department areas
• Cultural humility and ability to demonstrate Indigenous core values in action

Compensation & Benefits

• This is a full-time, exempt position of 40 hours per week
• The starting hourly hiring range is $33 - $34, commensurate with experience.
• Position hourly range of $33 - $38 to account for growth within the organization.
• We offer paid vacation and sick time
• Seventeen paid holidays (in 2026) including intentional organization wide time off for Summer and Winter Solstice
• Current Benefits package including (subject to change with organizational capacity prior to open enrollment annually):
• Medical, dental, vision
• 90% of benefits paid by the organization for employees
• 42-80% of benefits paid by the organization for dependents
• Access to the following (with selection of most insurance plans):
• Kind Body - Gynecology, fertility, and family-building care
• Health Advocate - Experts that make healthcare easier to navigate
• TalkSpace - Online mental health therapy
• One Medical - On-demand primary care
• TelaDoc Health - Virtual health
• 100% of Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance paid by the organization
• 401k plan - employee enrolled at the start of employment with 3% employer contribution and optional employee contributions
• Additional opt in benefits include:
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Monthly phone and internet reimbursement of $50.
• Annual performance review with assessment for potential annual merit increase
• Annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase based on budget
• Opportunities for professional development and growth. Approx. $1,000/year for individual opportunities based on availability
• Staff work a hybrid schedule with more remote days
• Supportive team and work environment
• Flexible work schedule

Working conditions
Employees will generally work remotely. Employees may also work inside our community.
workspace setting. Employees will occasionally work outdoors, evenings, weekends, or shift work (ex. quarterly split shift working community programs as needed).

Physical requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. While performing the duties for this job, the employee is required to frequently stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, talk and hear.

There are prolonged periods of sitting, keyboarding, reading, viewing a computer screen, as well as driving or riding in transport vehicles. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include reading, distanced viewing,
computer, and color vision. Talking and hearing are essential to communicate with community members, collaborative partners, and staff.

Note
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

The organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.