Program Manager (Special Projects)

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Community Youth Center of San Francisco (CYC) provides the youth of our city a sense of belonging and vital tools and experiences to succeed in life. Our services include academic support and college counseling, job placement and employment training, substance use and violence prevention education, crisis intervention and mediation, leadership development, technology and computer training. Our mission is to encourage a diverse population of high-need young people to explore their full potential through academic, career, family, and community life.

Title:                 Program Manager (Special Projects)
Salary:              $75,000.00 – $82,000.00 / year
Reports to:      Director of Development & Communications
Status:              Full Time, Exempt

POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Community Youth Center of San Francisco is seeking a Program Manager – Special Projects. This is a dynamic and strategic role responsible for managing and executing initiatives that cut across CYC’s core service areas, including education, workforce development, behavioral health, leadership, and civic engagement. This individual will oversee time-bound or emerging projects that address community needs, pilot innovative services, or support agency-wide priorities. The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader, creative problem-solver, and mission-driven professional with a passion for youth empowerment and community impact.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Community Relations

• Build and nurture partnerships: Cultivate strong relationships with
  community organizations, nonprofits, local leaders, media outlets, and
  key stakeholders to amplify CYC’s mission and visibility.
• Represent the organization: Attend and actively participate in
  community events, coalitions, and meetings to build presence and
  identify collaboration opportunities.
• Lead outreach initiatives: Plan and implement community
  engagement programs and campaigns that align with CYC’s mission
  and strategic goals.
• Advocate for the mission: Serve as a visible and passionate advocate
  to foster awareness, support, and goodwill in the community.

Event Management

• Support event planning: Assist in coordinating fundraising galas,
  outreach events, donor appreciation gatherings, and other initiatives
  that drive engagement and revenue.
• Manage logistics: Oversee timelines, venues, vendors, and on-site
  operations to ensure smooth and effective event execution.
• Collaborate on promotion: Partner with the communications team to
  develop and implement marketing strategies that maximize
  participation and impact.
• Ensure mission alignment: Design and deliver events that reflect and
  advance CYC’s core values and strategic priorities.
• Evaluate and improve: Gather feedback, analyze performance metrics,
  and document lessons learned to continuously strengthen event
  planning and delivery.

Development

• Steward donor relationships: Maintain and grow relationships with
  individual donors, corporate sponsors, and foundations through
  personalized communication and recognition.
• Support grant development: Assist in researching, drafting, and
  submitting grant proposals in collaboration with the development
  team.
• Execute giving campaigns: Plan and manage annual fundraising
  efforts, including direct mail, online giving, and peer-to-peer initiatives.
• Secure sponsorships: Identify and solicit sponsors for programs and
  events, ensuring deliverables are met and partnerships are nurtured.
• Maintain development records: Keep accurate and up-to-date records
  of donors, sponsors, and prospects in the donor CRM system.
• Report on progress: Provide timely updates and reports to leadership
  and board members on fundraising performance and donor
  engagement.

Project Management

• Coordinate and execute projects: Design, implement, and evaluate
  special projects aligned with CYC’s strategic goals and priorities.
• Develop project plans: Create detailed timelines, budgets, and success
  metrics to guide project implementation.
• Collaborate across teams: Work closely with internal departments and
  external partners to ensure alignment and accountability.

Program Development and Innovation

• Research and assess needs: Identify community trends and service
  gaps through research and stakeholder engagement.
• Pilot and refine programs: Design and test new or enhanced service
  models to better serve emerging or underserved populations.
• Evaluate impact: Analyze outcomes and apply learnings to improve
  program effectiveness and scalability.

Staff Supervision and Development

• Supervise and mentor staff: Provide oversight, coaching, and support
  to project staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Align and empower teams: Ensure team members understand
  objectives and are equipped to deliver high-quality, mission-aligned
  work.

Grants and Compliance

• Support funding efforts: Assist with proposal writing, reporting, and
  compliance related to grants and contracts.
• Track outcomes and budgets: Monitor project deliverables,
  expenditures, and metrics to meet funder and organizational
  standards.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, education, public administration, or a related
  field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in program management, nonprofit
  services, or community-based initiatives.
• Strong project management skills with a track record of implementing cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse communities, especially immigrant, low-income, and underserved youth and families.
• Experience in data collection, reporting, and program evaluation.
• Familiarity with San Francisco’s community landscape and youth development models preferred.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills a plus (especially Cantonese, Mandarin, or Spanish).
• Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends as needed for special projects or events.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Commitment to our organization’s mission, with a passion for developing both our staff and our programs to create lasting positive impact in our community.

CYC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, age, religion, gender, marital status, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other basis recognized by federal, state or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.