Outreach and Program Manager

At Summer Search, we believe in 'No Ceilings' and envision a world in which young people, regardless of circumstances, can chart their own destiny. In the United States, students from underserved communities – disproportionately BIPOC and first-generation – face systemic inequities in school, in the workforce, and in life. Nevertheless, these young people possess unique strengths, resilience, and limitless potential.

Since 1990, Summer Search has partnered with young people during their transition from adolescence into adulthood by connecting them to expansive opportunities, professional mentoring, and a community of support. Summer Searchers recognize their potential and build a toolkit to navigate and challenge systemic barriers, break new ground for their families and communities, and achieve economic equity and a life of purpose.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Summer Search Bay Area is seeking an Outreach and Program Manager to lead our high school student recruitment and enrollment efforts in Alameda County, Marin County, San Francisco and West Contra Costa County. This role is essential to connecting new cohorts of high school sophomores with Summer Search’s long-term mentorship program by developing and executing data-informed outreach strategies, managing school and community partnerships, and overseeing the enrollment process.

This position will also provide invaluable support to our program team through responsibilities like event planning, mentor caseload coverage, and more.

Reporting to the Regional Program Director, the Outreach and Program Manager will join a passionate and values-driven Bay Area team of 20.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Manage Student Recruitment and Enrollment Process (50-80%, seasonally)

• Manage annual process to recruit and enroll a new cohort of high school sophomores as Summer Search Bay Area program participants.
• Develop and implement effective annual outreach and enrollment strategy.
• Collaborate with and provide project supervision for program staff to execute annual outreach season activities, including in-school presentations, student events, school communication, and applicant follow up.
• Participate in a national cohort of outreach staff, leveraging best practices, learnings, and data to innovate upon local strategies and processes.
• Oversee relationships and program participation with school partners.
• Foster collaborative partnerships with schools and other strategic partners.
• Manage selection process of new students and development of materials for new students and families.
• In collaboration with other program staff, manage enrollment process that ensures newly accepted students complete required paperwork and milestones.
• Serve as an ambassador to broaden knowledge and support of Summer Search with schools, community-based organizations, families, civic leaders, key donors, board members, volunteers, alumni and other constituents across the Bay Area.
• Ensure accurate and consistent tracking of outreach and student data in Salesforce.
• Run reports and perform data analysis.
• Support with potential long term expansion plans into new schools or additional geographic areas.

Student Engagement and Program Facilitation (20-50%, seasonally)

• In partnership with other team members, facilitate student ambassador program to support and prepare students in sharing about their experience with various audiences including outreach presentations, student events, and donor engagements.
• Support the program team with direct student support and coverage needs, including temporary caseload management.
• As needed, manage one or more direct service staff on an interim basis (due to staff transitions) with potential to manage one or more permanent staff in the future contingent on potential expansion/site needs.
• Participate in planning and attending key milestone events for students and their families throughout the school year, including evening and weekend events.
• Provide at least one week of on-call support both nationally and locally for our Summer On-Call system, which supports rising juniors and seniors during their summer experiences.

WHO YOU ARE

This is a great opportunity for a mission-driven program professional who excels at relationship-building, project management, and youth engagement, and is excited to grow Summer Search’s presence and impact across the Bay Area. Specifically, this hire will bring:

• EXPERIENCE: At least 4 years of work experience, inclusive of experience in a program/project management or leadership role at a youth development, educational, or other social service organization that serves low-income communities. Prior experience working 1:1 with adolescents is required. Comfort and experience with public speaking required. Experience managing school partnerships is strongly preferred.
• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: You cultivate relationships with individuals, communities and organizations as a central part of your work. You demonstrate an ability to respectfully center the culture of the communities you engage. 
• PROGRAM MANAGEMENT: You are adept at overseeing, prioritizing, and coordinating various projects and strategic initiatives in support of organizational goals.
• CRITICAL CONCIOUSNESS: You have an understanding of the root causes of societal discrimination and injustices and are self-reflective about your own privilege and positional power. You apply critical thinking and take action toward liberatory and inclusive practices.
• DEPTH MENTORING: You understand and create an environment where all people feel safe enough to explore, discuss, question and reflect on past, current or future experiences in one-on-one or large group discussions.
• TECHNOLOGY SKILLS: Proficiency in detailed data tracking and management inclusive of experience using a database such as Salesforce. Experience using Canva to design materials is a plus.
• LANGUAGE SKILLS: Proficiency in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin or Vietnamese is a plus.

In addition, all Summer Search staff bring a commitment to our mission of unleashing students’ potential through mentoring and transformative experiences, as well as the ability to thrive in an environment that values excellence, gratitude, well-being, diversity, authenticity, and collaboration.

LOCATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

The Bay Area site currently has a once-a-month minimum in-office expectation in Oakland with the intention of increasing in person connection in the coming months. In-office requirements are subject to change due to the needs of the site or position.

This hire must be able to be in-person for all staff meetings, outreach presentations at partner high schools, and convenings in our geographic focus areas of Alameda County, Marin County, San Francisco and West Contra Costa County. Additional travel throughout the entire Bay Area may also be required. Due to the travel requirements of this position, we require that this hire holds a valid driver’s license. They must also serve as a consistent presence in our Oakland office and at team-building activities. The Outreach & Program Manager may also be required to staff/attend events outside of normal work hours, as needed.