Program Manager

Job Description

Organizational Overview

Build Hope, Inc. (BHI), originally established as Kids Progress Inc. (KPI) in 2002 by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), operates as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It was created to ensure low-income residents living in HACLA’s properties or receiving Section 8 assistance receive the full social, health, educational and work opportunities to which they are entitled. BHI’s mission is to advance economic equity and overall well-being of HACLA’s communities.

Since its inception, HACLA has provided in-kind staffing to manage BHI’s operations. Recognizing the need for greater impact and sustainable growth, HACLA has now invested in expanding BHI’s organizational capacity, enabling the nonprofit to build its own dedicated team. This strategic investment aims to provide greater independence, empowering BHI to expand its reach and deepen its impact within the communities it serves. It does this by focusing on four key areas: education, economic mobility, resource resiliency, and service-enriched communities.

OPPORTUNITY

The Program Manager is responsible for leading the implementation of BHI’s education- focused portfolio - stewarding the Scholarship Program and Ceremony, coordinating with our education partner’s integration, expanding education literacy and partnerships while overseeing the operations of BHI’s Computer Learning Labs (CLC’s). In this role, the Program Manager will be responsible for creating a positive community experience for BHI’s public housing educational programs and develop strategic relationships.

In close collaboration with the Program Director, the Program Manager provides direct supervision of part-time CLC coordinators and any educational coordinators and actively builds partnerships that support the expansion of education literacy and advancement, expanding BHI’s capacity to ensure the delivery of timely, high-quality services to both our CLC users, scholarship recipients and their families, and onsite/offsite partners. This is a hands-on role ideal for a professional who can balance strategy with day-to-day execution in a rapidly growing organization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Key Responsibilities:

Scholarship Program Management

Own the full scholarship lifecycle—outreach, application, selection, disbursement, and renewal.

Serve as the primary point of contact for scholars, offering advice and referrals to campus, community, and workforce resources.

Plan and execute the annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony, engaging sponsors, partners, scholars, and families.

CLC Program Development and Implementation

Manage, develop, adapt, and implement onsite educational resources, driven by BHI and other grant funded standards/guidelines.

In partnership with the Program Director, help design, develop and implement CLC educational programs, learning materials, curriculum and activities that align with BHI’s mission and strategic plans.

Collect and analyze data to assess CLC program effectiveness, making recommendations for program improvements based on analysis, and adapt programming to meet the specific needs of the target audience.

Build and maintain meaningful relationships with residents, promoting growth, independence, engagement, responsibility and inspiring individuals to reach their full potential.

Promote events, courses, and offerings via in-person meetings, canvassing, emails and other forms of outreach and communication.

Partnership & Program Strategy

Manage day-to-day coordination with our education partner’s staff to align timelines, data sharing, and service delivery.

Partner with our education partner to create, plan and implement dynamic community events and opportunities that create strategic linkages of CLC’s and community members.

Ensure that the services provided by our education partner (college prep, FAFSA support, persistence coaching) are seamlessly available to BHI scholars.

Track joint KPIs (application completions, matriculation, retention) and surface insights to the Program Director.

Support the Program Director in identifying, negotiating, and launching new education collaborations (adult-education providers, tutoring organizations, CTE programs, etc.).

Maintain partner dashboards, MOUs, and performance metrics.

Build and maintain strategic partnerships with internal and externa; stakeholders and potential community partners to enhance opportunities available to CLC users.

Conduct moderate to complex research and analysis for strategic planning, design and development, implementation, and appraisal of existing programs within pre-established goals, strategies, and objectives.

Represent BHI at education-focused coalitions, conferences, and community events, serving as a liaison with community partners and stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.

Team Leadership & Operations

Directly supervise and coach CLC Staff, setting goals, providing feedback, fostering professional growth, and cultivating a culture of equity, learning, and data-driven decision-making.

Lead, coach, and develop CLC Staff in meeting established goals: this includes conducting individual check-ins, engaging in regular performance evaluation, monitoring progress, facilitating staff training, providing support and utilizing performance engagement plans.

Lead weekly site-based staff meetings to identify and address community and CLC needs and opportunities.

Oversee collection and analysis of scholarship and data from our education partner, supporting with the preparation of quarterly impact reports for leadership, board, and funders, and recommend programmatic tweaks.

Monitor and manage current systems to ensure their accuracy of program engagement data.

Monitor education and CLC program budgets; tracking scholarship funds, ensuring timely disbursements, and maintaining accurate records for audits, grant reporting, and donor stewardship.

Foster a culture of equity, learning, and data-driven decision-making across the education team.

Additional Responsibilities

Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

In order to fulfill these responsibilities, the ideal Program Manager candidate will have/be:

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Public Administration, or a related field preferred. Equivalent experience in program coordination, education, or community development will be considered.

3+ years managing education, scholarship, college-access programs, preferably within a nonprofit or community-based setting.

Experience in program development, implementation and evaluation.

At least one year of direct staff supervision.

Demonstrated success cultivating multi-sector partnerships (schools, CBOs, funders, workforce entities).

Strong project-management skills, able to juggle calendars, events, and competing deadlines.

Data fluency: experience with CRM, Excel/Google Sheets, or similar tools for tracking outcomes.

Excellent written and verbal communication; comfortable presenting to diverse audiences.

Expertise with college-access processes (FAFSA/CADAA, financial-aid packaging, persistence supports) a plus.

Familiarity with the Los Angeles context, particularly issues affecting public housing and low-income communities, is highly desired.

Deep commitment to social justice, equity, and inclusivity, with an ability to work effectively in multicultural settings.

Must have a valid driver’s license and be willing to transport program staff and/or participants using a personal or company vehicle as needed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time, exempt position based in the Greater Los Angeles area (field and office-based). The salary range is $70,000–$76,000, commensurate with experience. BHI offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid time off; and retirement plan contributions. BHI is located within HACLA’s offices at 2600 Wilshire Blvd.Company Description

Build Hope Inc. (BHI) is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA). BHI is dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of public housing and Section 8 housing through innovative programs, resource distribution, and strategic partnerships that promote education, workforce development, and community well-being.

BHI serves individuals and families living in public housing, Section 8 and other residential housing units owned or operated by HACLA and is dedicated to improving life outcomes and addressing intergenerational poverty.

While BHI is affiliated with HACLA, it operates as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and functions autonomously.

For more information about Build Hope, Inc. please visit

Full-time