Senior Program Manager, Adult Education

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Mayor’s Office of Education (MOE) aligns the City’s policies, resources, and educational services.

MOE administers several City-supported programs, including Adult Education, Community Schools, Catto scholarships, and Foster Grandparents program.

Adult Education Philadelphia (AEPHL) is part of MOE and oversees the City’s planning and investments in adult education. AEPHL seeks to ensure adults have equitable access to the foundational educational opportunities and programs needed to accomplish their education, career, family, and civic goals. Adult education includes adults 16 years and older who need support in reading, writing, or math skills for further education and training, and/or who are not native English speakers/writers and/or who have not completed high school. 

Programs and services include:

• A centralized intake, assessment and referral system connecting low-skill adults to opportunities for improving basic academic skills, English language proficiency and digital fluency.
• Adult education classes that include High School Equivalency (GED, HiSET preparation); Basic skills review; and English as a Second Language.  
• Volunteer literacy tutor training and professional development for the provider community.
• Digital Skills: Developing and supporting improvement in Philadelphian’s digital skills by funding classes and access to resources such as Northstar which offers standardized digital literacy assessments and curricula.

Job Description

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the Senior Program Manager will have both internal and external facing responsibilities. Internally, they will lead a variety of initiatives involving compliance and providers as well as manage provider resources on the website. Externally, they will deliver technical assistance to providers to help them build quality programs and work with the ED to create a network of providers. The Senior Program Manager will partner closely with the ED to support the strengthening of adult education and digital skills networks to ensure strategic and intentional growth. Key program areas include: the Adult Education Philadelphia system, the growth and management of the digital skills network, and supporting the investment of adult education resources as integrated with other initiatives.

Essential Functions

The ideal candidate will have a track record of effectively leading performance-based and outcome-based programs. They will have developed and implemented strategies that have taken a program or organization to the next stage of growth; the ability to develop and foster strong partner relationships; and be an exceptional relationship-builder.

Provider Management: 

• Lead and facilitate network meetings to ensure that programmatic implementation aligns with AEPHL’s mission and vision.
• Provide technical assistance to funded providers to assist them in meeting compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with Performance Management and Technology (PMT) staff to evaluate contract performance for effectiveness and impact of projects and programs and make appropriate recommendations.
• With PMT staff, provide technical assistance to providers in examining data for program improvement purposes.
• Identify provider best practices.
• Work with contracted provider agencies to initiate/establish program delivery at Community and EDEY Schools.
• Provide support and training to providers for the effective utilization of Northstar and creation of new learner accounts in Adult Education’s student information system (AEIS).
• Ensure ongoing use of AEIS to facilitate and coordinate adult education and digital literacy services and outcomes for learners.
• Conduct monthly evaluations of each provider, track compliance and make necessary adjustments to improve service delivery and outcomes.
• In collaboration with the ED, conduct and document site visits to monitor intake and assessment protocols at funded providers; and assess need for additional support and instructional resources.
• Collect and analyze all Monthly and Quarterly Numerical and Programmatic data reports and hold providers and staff accountable for timely submissions.

Partnerships

• Partner with local organizations to promote adult education and digital literacy programing, and to recruit digital literacy and adult education participants.
• Collaborate with City agencies and external partners and stakeholders to support a network of public access and digital literacy programs across the city.
• Support, coordinate, and participate in provider and partner network meetings as appropriate
• Manage all aspects of the annual citywide graduation
• Provide technical assistance and training as required or necessary to adult education professionals, community members, Community School coordinators, school-based staff, and others on strategies, systems and processes related to the provision of digital literacy and adult education services
• Identify new opportunities for partnerships and resources to support the expansion of digital literacy and adult education services in the community

Internal Program Support:

• With the ED, regularly review data and make suggestions for program improvement initiatives.
• With the ED, develop performance measures to ensure consistent, high-quality evaluation and goal setting.
• Coordinate with AEPHL’s Professional Development & Training Manager to support a professional development program to address partner experience and skill gaps.
• In collaboration with the ED and the Data Coordinator, develop protocols and processes to monitor services for compliance and to ensure quality improvement
• Support the Adult Education Data Coordinator to ensure accurate digital literacy, digital assessment, intake, classes, and workshops are properly recorded in the database
• Assist with the writing and development of external procurement opportunities (e.g. RFPs, RFIs, RFQs) as needed
• Assist the ED with annual contract renewals.

Communications and Coordination:

• With the MOE Communications team, play a key role in developing communication strategies and content.
• Participate in outreach and promotional events

Other Functions:

• As assigned by ED

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Action Oriented

Is action oriented and full of energy for the things they see as challenging; not fearful of acting with a minimum of planning; seizes opportunities that arise.

Dealing with Ambiguity

Can effectively cope with change; can decide and act without having the total picture; can comfortably handle multiple projects at the same time.

Approachability

Is easy to approach and talk to; is sensitive and patient in professional relationships; builds rapport well; is a good listener.

Conflict Management

Able to manage conflicts; reads situations quickly; good at focused listening; can find common ground and get cooperation.

Qualifications

• 5-plus years in a management or coordinator position in a nonprofit organization, foundation, or government agency
• Bachelor’s degree in education or similar field required.
• Experience in the field of adult education and digital skills
• Well-versed in Philadelphia’s adult education landscape
• Passionate about adult education
• Track record of delivering superior results and assuming leadership roles
• Success in roles requiring execution of multiple tasks while responding to multiple priorities
• Proven ability to work with efficiency, flexibility, and good humor
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide array of people – junior and senior, for-profit, and nonprofit, and from diverse backgrounds
• Excellent organizational, verbal, and written skills

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary: $82,600

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx