DIGITAL PROGRAM MANAGER
Position Posting
Organizational Description
Distinguished as one of the top after-school arts and culture programs in the nation by The President’s Committee on Arts & Humanities, Girls Write Now (GWN) is New York’s first and only non-profit with a writing and mentoring model exclusively for girls. From young women exploring writing to seasoned professionals practicing their craft every day, GWN is a community of women writers dedicated to providing the guidance, support and opportunities for high-school girls to develop their creative, independent voices, and write their way to a better future. 100% of GWN’s seniors graduate and move on to college—bringing with them portfolios, awards, scholarships, new skills, and a sense of confidence.
Founded in 1998, GWN has a rich history of delivering successful, premium programming free of cost to an audience that is overwhelmingly low-income and of color. For fifteen years, the organization has built a record of achievement and innovation that has been recognized twice by the White House, by The New York Times, NBC Nightly News, the MacArthur Foundation, and global branding firm Siegel+Gale. In 2012, GWN was honored by Youth, I.N.C. as one of the three most enterprising and innovative nonprofits improving the lives of New York City youth.
Position Summary
Girls Write Now seeks a full time Digital Program Manager (DPM) to launch and manage a new Girls Write Now mentoring program in partnership with Parsons the New School for Design. Mentees from underserved neighborhoods throughout New York City will engage in intensive semester-long mentoring relationships with New School mentors. From one-to-one meetings, monthly “Dorkshops”, portfolio building and presentation, pairs will explore the intersection of traditional writing with digital media using cutting edge tools and technological methods.
Main Responsibilities
Reporting to the Director of Programs, and working closely alongside other Girls Write Now program staff as well as advisors and graduate students from The New School, the DPM will oversee program partners, interns, and volunteers in the following areas of the digital program:
- Team Management
o Motivate and manage high-level volunteers across the organization including program mentors. Steer relationships with partner organizations in planning and execution of curriculum and program mechanics.
o Manage calendar of internal communications for all program participants.
- Enrollment
o Oversee mentor and mentee enrollment process, guiding program staff, volunteers, and consultants from recruitment to selection to matchmaking. Work with New York City school contacts in promoting the organization.
- Curriculum
o Manage development of curriculum for monthly Dorkshops, liaising with guest authors,, documenting processes for monthly workshop production, and maintaining Curriculum Guidebook.
o Adapt current teaching methods and curriculum into a digital focused method in a manner integrated with the rest of the organization.
o Oversee trainings and resources for program participants and program leadership, including training events, mentor/mentee handbooks, and ongoing support.
- Evaluation
o Set program requirements for all program participants, and assist program staff in monitoring participants’ progress.
o Implement evaluation plan in concert with senior staff.
- Community Partnerships
o Working closely with program staff, strategize and coordinate partnerships with a range of departments within academic institutions, community based arts education organizations, and outlets that offer creative publishing opportunities.
Foundational Competencies
- Teamwork & Leadership
Consciously builds and channels the energy of staff; creates positive energy and enthusiasm, engages people and teams by enabling them to see that their contributions make a difference; encourages a diversity of viewpoints and styles; consistently demonstrates and requires commitment to organizational objectives over individual goals
- Experience Working with Youth
Balances compassion and flexibility with high expectations for under-served youth populations; approaches working with youth with creativity and open-mindedness; prioritizes creating a safe and encouraging experience for youth participants
- Analysis & Decision Making
Ability to assess realities, and take action in a thoughtful, expedient manner; track record of making solid decisions and long-range forecasts; continually seeks information internally and externally to ensure most optimal solutions; challenges assumptions, demonstrates lateral thinking in decision making - Adaptability/Flexibility
Exhibits strong self-confidence, even when faced with tense or stressful situations; maintains a constructive, positive outlook, and adapts quickly and resourcefully to shifting priorities and rapid change; demonstrates flexibility and resilience in response to setback and adversity - Communications
Effectively articulates ideas—verbally and in writing—in a clear and compelling manner; gains alignment and creates shared understanding at all levels; communicates organization’s values and gives people a clear and consistent vision of what is to be accomplished; engages key stakeholders to ensure appropriate level of information sharing
- Organization
Develops and maintains organized and sharable systems with attention to detail and accuracy
- Digital Fluency
Significant experience working with technology. Enmeshed in a variety of new media platforms, able to merge technology with storytelling
- Mission Focus
Thoroughly committed to GWN’s mission of mentoring the next generation of women writers, with knowledge of and eagerness to learn in the realms of literature, media, education, women’s issues, and community organizing
Qualifications
- B.A. degree required
- Preferred Masters Degree in a field combining Art & Technology, ideally Writing and Digital Media
- At least 3-5 years of experience working with youth
- Strong record of managing a team
- Some teaching experience
- Technically savvy, with strong computer skills: at a minimum proficiency with MS Word, Excel, WordPress, Google Docs, database, email marketing applications, and wikis (Constant Contact, DonorPro, and/or HTML a plus)
- Availability for weekday evening meetings and monthly weekend events
Salary & Benefits
GWN offers competitive salaries and benefit packages including health insurance and 20 paid leave days plus holidays.
Equal Opportunity Employer
It is GWN’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and to all applicants for employment regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, disability (including victims of domestic violence), age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or citizenship. This policy applies to all GWN activities including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, compensation, assignment, training and promotion.
Application Process
Submit cover letter, resume, two writing samples, any portfolio samples available, and three references (at least two professional) to employment@girlswritenow.org by March 15. Early applications strongly encouraged. Make sure to write “Digital Program Manager” in subject line. Applications without the requested information will not be reviewed. References will not be contacted until an agreed upon time.
GWN relies upon the accuracy of information contained in the employment application, as well as the accuracy of other data presented throughout the hiring process and employment. Any misrepresentations, falsifications or material omissions in any of this information or data may result in exclusion from further consideration for employment, or termination from employment, if hired. All GWN staff employees must submit to a standard background check. This is a critical aspect of our screening process since GWN works with a young population in a mentoring capacity. Your employment with GWN is contingent upon your cooperation with submission to the test and clearance from the appropriate entity.
Only applicants asked to interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.
