Program Manager, KIN Accelerator - California

The Role

The Kin Accelerator convenes 8 California county child welfare teams for a transformative journey to rapidly co-design, test, and scale kin-first innovations with the support of peer collaboration, expert technical assistance, and the power of lived experience. The Kin Accelerator Program Manager is responsible for advancing the vision and driving the implementation of the Accelerator program, managing day to day operations, team collaboration, and partner relationships to ensure successful co-design and implementation of the program for maximum impact. 

• Reports to: Senior Fellow, State Systems
• Direct Reports: Program Associate, KIN Accelerator 
• Location: Remote, California residency required 
• Category: Full-time, Exempt, Initial 2-year term with possibility of extension 

Responsibilities

Program Design and Management (50%)

• Collaborate with Think of Us leadership and relevant partners to inform program vision
• Develop and implement clear strategies and actionable plans to operationalize program vision
• Provide direction and guidance to team members to ensure effective implementation of program
• Lead co-design workshops and facilitate group discussions to ensure participant input and ownership
• Analyze program data to track progress, identify trends, and inform decision-making. Prepare reports for various stakeholders on program outcomes and impact
• Ensure equity and inclusion considerations, including for those with lived experience,  are integrated into all aspects of program design, implementation, and evaluation

Project Management (25%)

• Ensures work plan is actively maintained, refined as appropriate and implemented
• Assigns tasks to team members (including external partners), tracking and supporting on-time completion
• Proactively identifies areas for streamlining or improving functions

Partner and Stakeholder Engagement (25%)

• California Department of Social Services department leadership and kinship staff
• Key partner collaboration with Casey Family Programs, UC Davis, national experts, etc
• Build and maintain relationships with Accelerator county teams and other stakeholder participants

Requirements

About You

Attributes

• Team Leader and People Manager: You are responsible for overseeing all activities within a team. You provide guidance, instruction, direction, leadership, and coaching to your direct reports for the purpose of achieving group aligned results.
• Innovative: You use original thinking to generate new ideas and solutions, thinking outside the box and exploring fresh approaches
• Adaptable: You adjust easily to new or changing circumstances, demonstrating flexibility and handling ambiguity confidently to respond to evolving realities. Results-Driven: You focus on achieving results aligned with our mission, anticipating obstacles and holding yourself and others accountable. 

• Adaptive Communicator: Excellent facilitation and communication skills to effectively lead group discussions and workshops
• Data Strategist: Strong data analysis and interpretation skills to track program progress and inform decision-making

Experience

• Program Design: Strategic planning and roadmap development, including ability to translate organizational objectives into actionable program plans; Ability to lead co-design processes with partners;
• Team Leadership and Program Management: People management including both direct reports and others; budget management and resource allocation; effective use of data to drive decisions and results.  Project Management: Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional programs, PMP certification is a plus
• Stakeholder Engagement and Management: Adept at building and maintaining positive relationships with diverse stakeholders and partners to ensure clear communication, goal alignment, and effective collaboration

Preferred Experience: 

• Professional experience with child welfare systems at the county, state, or national level through practice, policy, or research
• Experience leading or consulting for state-level system reform 
• Previous participation in or implementation of Accelerator programs
• Lived experience or close proximity to child welfare 
• Change management and organizational transformation

Physical Demands and Working Environment: 

The bullet points below are representative of the physical demands and working environment that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.  

• Standard / Remote office setting; proximity to office equipment that includes electronic devices 
• May need to be at a workstation for 50% of the time; will need to use equipment that includes electronic devices 
• Perceive and interact with text, media, and people;
• Communicate and accurately exchange information with text, media, and people 

Travel

• This position may require periodic travel up to approximately 15% of the time

Works Hours (when applicable)

• We are seeking candidates for a position that may require irregular hours as part of the job's responsibilities. Our organization values work-life balance and strives to accommodate the diverse needs of our employees. While the standard work schedule may not always apply, we are committed to fostering a flexible and supportive work environment.
• The nature of this role may involve occasional evening or weekend work, with the understanding that time off or schedule adjustments can be made to ensure overall work-life harmony. We believe that maintaining a healthy balance between professional and personal commitments is essential for our team's well-being and productivity.
• We encourage open communication and collaboration, allowing for a mutual understanding of scheduling needs and commitments. If you thrive in an environment that offers flexibility and understands the importance of work-life balance, we invite you to apply and contribute to our dynamic team

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation 

Our compensation philosophy is based on transparency and attentiveness to people's holistic needs. We believe that fair and competitive compensation is essential for attracting and retaining exceptional talent, which is crucial for achieving our audacious goals. Our compensation packages include both cash compensation and benefits and all decisions are made in accordance with our financial standing as a not-for-profit organization.

The annualized compensation for this role is $110k-$115k. 

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage – We cover 100% of your premium and 50% of your family's premium for our base plan.
• 401(k) for Pre-Tax Retirement Contributions
  
• Generous Time Off – Flexible PTO, Sick Leave, Paid Leave of Absence, 8 Major Holidays, and 3 Organization-Wide Breaks (Summer, Thanksgiving & Winter)
• Health Care & Dependent Care FSA
• Talkspace, an online counseling and therapy service that makes accessing mental health care and support easier through unlimited asynchronous text, voice, and video messages.
• Employer-Sponsored Short-Term Disability, Life, and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Long-Term Disability and Supplemental Life Insurance
  
• "Build Your Office" Stipend
• Learning & Development Stipend – $1,500 per person annually, plus organization-wide investments in growth
• Monthly Organization-Wide Learning Sessions – Explore topics related to foster youth’s lived experience and broader areas of curiosity and growth
• A Mission-Driven Culture – Be at the forefront of systems change in child welfare
• Engagement with Inspiring Leaders – Collaborate with changemakers in government, philanthropy, nonprofits, and entertainment who are driving transformation