Program Manager, Community Engagement

Background: AHC is a non-profit affordable housing developer and service provider with offices in Baltimore, Maryland, and Arlington, Virginia. Our growing portfolio of 54 multifamily rental communities provides over 8,300 homes in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.

Mission: At Affordable Homes & Communities, our residents are at the heart of all we do. AHC builds opportunities by creating quality homes with holistic resident services. We drive change through innovation, genuine partnerships, and responsible investment.

Resident Services Goal: Transformational Engagement - Build and sustain healthy, beautiful, and equitable communities with our residents to open doors through which they can create homes, neighborhoods, and the lives they want to live. The four cornerstones of Resident Services programming are Education, Economic Mobility, Health & Wellness, and Community Engagement.

Position Purpose: The Program Manager for Community Engagement cultivates a sense of belonging, empowerment, and collaboration in AHC communities. The Program Manager leads initiatives aimed at fostering strong relationships between residents, AHC staff, local organizations, and stakeholders. The Program Manager develops and implements programs that promote community building, resident participation, and social connectivity. Through data-driven program design, tools and training, the Program Manager builds staff capacity to empower residents to actively engage in shaping the culture and identity of their community. Additionally, the Manager works closely with external partners to leverage resources and support services that enhance the sense of community and well-being of our residents. The Program Manager is integral in helping AHC Resident Services staff create vibrant and inclusive housing communities where individuals thrive, collaborate, and contribute to a sense of shared purpose and belonging.

Responsibilities:

Staffing & Management

• Demonstrate strong leadership and team management skills by providing direct supervision to Resident Engagement Specialists& Coordinators, interns, and other staff as needed.
• Foster a positive and collaborative work environment, providing orientation, guidance, mentorship, and support to ensure the team's success.
• Implement effective management strategies to streamline workflows and enhance productivity.
• Design and lead training, and implement performance evaluations to maintain a skilled, high-performing, and motivated staff.
• Uphold a commitment to professional development, encouraging continuous learning and growth within the team.
• Exhibit a proactive approach to conflict resolution and problem-solving.

Program Direction & Development

• Oversee programs and resources that build AHC’s capacity in the areas of community building and engagement.
• Train and update Resident Services staff on best practices in community building and engagement.
• Collaborate with Program Manages to ensure Community Engagement parameters are implemented, including community events, meetings, and coordination of external partners providing services.
• Works with third-party property management companies to institute regular resident meetings. Record relevant information shared and work with all Regional Managers and Community Managers to disperse among residents.
• Evaluate existing and potential tools for communicating with residents, including messaging apps, newsletters, etc.
• Collaborate with managers from other program areas to ensure coordination of services across programs and locations.
• Identifies opportunities for innovation and improvement in community building and engagement.

Program Evaluation

• Collaborate with Manager of Impact and Evaluation to conduct regular evaluations and assessments of community engagement initiatives, using quantitative and qualitative data to measure outcomes and impact.
• Support data collection procedures to capture information on community engagement initiatives, using quantitative and qualitative data to measure outcomes and impact.
• Use data-driven insights to make informed decisions for current and future program development.
• Research community engagement trends and best practices to build capacity of Resident Services team.

Collaboration

• Promote a cohesive RS team across disciplines by working closely with Program Managers to develop programs and provide training for all RS staff.
• Work cross-departmentally with AHC and third-party property management companies and community partners.
• Play a key leadership role in fostering strong site teams by working closely with third-party management companies.
• Attend regularly scheduled and impromptu meetings, including one-on-one check-ins, team meetings, and All Staff meetings.
• Work collaboratively with RES on discerning and tracking patterns and concerns of residents, help brainstorm solutions for issues that are coming up

Fundraising and Financials

• Work with Director of Community Engagement to build annual community engagement budget.
• Identify and support opportunities to fund initiatives related to identified program or services needs.
• Collaborate with the Fundraising team on grant proposals, contributing data and narratives that highlight the impact of community engagement.
• Support financial processes including budgeting, expense tracking, vendor payments, and check requests.
• Reconcile credit card expenses and maintain accurate records to ensure financial accountability.

Data Management

• Works with Program Manager of Impact and Evaluation to define key impact outcomes and qualitative and quantitative tools for impact measurement.
• Implement assessment tools to measure the impact and effectiveness of engagement initiatives.
• Support data collection procedures to capture information on community engagement activities, including participant demographics, program attendance, and outcomes.
• Ensures the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of data collection efforts.
• Regularly evaluates and adjusts program activities based on feedback and outcomes.
• Uses data-driven insights to make informed decisions for current and future program development.
• Research community engagement trends and best practices to build capacity of Resident Services team.

Qualifications:

• Commitment to the Mission, Vision, and Values of AHC.
• At least 5 years of experience in community development and/or social work. (Additional years of experience can be substituted for a Master’s degree.)
• Master’s degree in business, social work, public administration, or a related field, plus
• At least 3 years of supervisory experience.
• Experience working with diverse populations in multicultural environments.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Strong motivation and the ability to work independently, and as a team with many partners.
• Knowledge of resources and working relationships with stakeholders within the jurisdictions where AHC has properties strongly preferred. Current jurisdictions are Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Montgomery Counties, Washington, DC, Baltimore, and Baltimore County.
• Computer skills in Microsoft Office—Excel, Word, Outlook, and SharePoint. Additional skills in PowerPoint and Publisher are preferred.
• Experience with client relations manager databases strongly preferred.