Program Manager, Career Development

Program Manager, Career Development

COOP is building a diverse movement of upwardly mobile first-generation college grads overcoming underemployment through digital skills and peer connections. We want to reignite our nation's promise of upward mobility for those who strive to achieve a brighter future for themselves and their familiesto ensure the American Dream is a reality for all. We connect un- / underemployed first-gen college graduates to one anotherwithin cohorts and across "generations" of cohorts. By growing their peer professional networks, members of our community achieve upward economic mobility by building the skills and connections they need for the careers they deserve.

Our intervention for underemployed graduates has produced compelling wage outcomes for thousands of first-generation and low-income grads in New York, California, Illinois, and Florida. Within 12 months of program completion, three-in-four COOP alumni are fully employed.

The Program Manager, Career Development plays a critical role in supporting COOP's mission to close the social capital gap for underemployed first-generation or low-income (FGLI) college graduates. This individual will oversee the career development and employment attainment journey for a portfolio of COOP fellows and alumni, ensuring participants receive meaningful guidance from training through job attainment. The Program Manager will facilitate career readiness workshops, provide career support, and build strong, authentic relationships with fellows and alumni to foster an engaged and supportive community.

Serving as a key liaison between alumni, employer partners, and internal program staff, the Program Manager will coordinate and execute alumni programming, guide Captains (alumni of COOP's program serving as near-peer coaches), and support the delivery of impactful career development programming for fellows and new alumni that leads to strong employment outcomes. The ideal candidate is an organized and compassionate coach, a strategic thinker, an effective group facilitator and a proactive collaborator who thrives in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direct support (group and / or individual) to fellows and new alumni, assisting with job applications, interview preparations, and addressing career-related concerns with the goal of enabling fellows and new alumni getting their first quality job.
• Facilitate career readiness ("hustle") workshops throughout all phases of the program (Phases 1, 2, and 3).
• Manage the review process for fellow resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles, ensuring fellows meet established career readiness criteria by the end of Phase 1 of the program and new alumni have tools for successful job obtainment.
• Collaborate with Partnerships Manager to identify and match appropriate candidates with curated employer opportunities.
• Plan and execute fellow and alumni networking events to enhance social capital building within the peer community and support successful employment outcomes.

Cohort Management (20%)

Data Collection and Reporting (20%)

Captain Management (15%)

Other Duties (5%)

Who We Need

Who You Are

What We Offer You

Hybrid Working Policy

COOP's hybrid workplace strikes a thoughtful balance between at-home flexibility and in-person chemistry. Regular shared experience in person (structured and spontaneous) will enhance collaboration, strengthen existing relationships, and forge new ones within and across teams. Intentional, casual, and joyful moments together will infuse our culture with the sense of community that makes COOP unique and powerful and will collectively push us toward our shared purpose. Currently, all COOP team members are working remotely and attending a once-a-month in-person coworking and team-building day at our co-located space in lower Manhattan (Civic Hall, 124 E 14th St, New York, NY 10003) for NYC team members and in San Francisco, CA 94111 for Bay Area team members or a mutually convenient coworking location for our Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami team members.