Cohort Programs Manager

Cohort Programs Manager

ABOUT US

UpStart brings bold Jewish ideas to light. For nearly two decades, we've partnered with 250+ organizations and thousands of leaders, connecting impact-driven entrepreneurs to the expertise, community, and capital they need to turn ideas into enduring impact.

UpStart was founded with a sole focus: to accelerate the success of social entrepreneurs fueling a renaissance in Jewish life. Today, we're moving from just program provider to field catalyst — shaping how the entire Jewish innovation ecosystem learns, builds, and grows together. We're actively implementing our FY27–29 Strategic Plan, which puts social entrepreneurs at the center of everything we do and codifies our Jewish Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship (JSIE) Methodology as a shared language for the field.

INCLUSIVE HIRING COMMITMENT

UpStart is an equal opportunity employer, and all individuals are encouraged to apply without regard to race, color, religion, age, disability, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, genetic information, medical condition, veteran status, or any other class protected under federal, state, or local laws. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply, even if you don't meet 100% of the qualifications listed.

POSITION SUMMARY

UpStart seeks a Cohort Programs Manager to coordinate UpStart's cohort delivery function. They will serve as the primary project manager across program pathways, responsible for supporting program implementation in alignment with participant needs and required program outcomes. As the first point of contact for our cohort programs, they ensure a high-quality, mission-aligned learning experience for every cohort member.

UpStart designs and delivers cohort-based learning experiences that support Jewish innovators and entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. UpLift is our flagship multi-month program built on a structured framework for Jewish social innovation. Our custom cohorts offer specialized trainingtailored to the specific needs of funders and institutional partners. Through these learning programs, we create and nurture environments for participants to develop practical skills, build trusted peer relationships, and grow their capacity to lead initiatives that make a lasting difference in Jewish life and the broader world. Cohort sessions span themes including entrepreneurial leadership, adaptive design, and Jewishly informed innovation, with curriculum that continues to evolve in response to participant needs and organizational priorities.

This role reports to the Managing Director, Learning, Community, & Belonging and works in close partnership with our Senior Director, Learning Design & Strategy, Jewish Content Fellow, and UpStart’s Central Operations team. Together, they will align program timelines and virtual/in-person program logistics, ensuring seamless execution from participant registration through completion and evaluation. The Cohort Programs Manager can expect to travel up to 6 times per year for in-person cohort events and team gatherings.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Cohort Delivery & Participant Experience

• Coordinate end-to-end delivery of virtual and in-person cohort-based learning sessions across multiple program pathways, ensuring physical and virtual spaces are prepared, well-run, and set up for participant success
• Partner with the Central Operations team (who own recruitment and registration) to help ensure a seamless, high-quality experience from a participant's first touchpoint during recruitment through program completion
• Provide live virtual session support and ongoing virtual learning support between sessions — e.g., monitoring discussion forums, tracking assignment submissions, and sustaining community engagement
• Own participant communications across the full program lifecycle, from onboarding through completion and transition to the UpStarter Community, so participants feel informed, guided, and held at every stage
• Help facilitate a strong cohort culture by fostering trust, connection, and active participation
• Translate observations into actionable insights for the curriculum design team, surfacing patterns in participant experience, facilitation effectiveness, and content gaps

Program Execution & Operational Management

• Manage multiple concurrent cohorts and priorities with strong attention to detail and delivery quality, adjusting implementation strategy as needs evolve
• Collaborate cross-functionally to coordinate program logistics, including virtual sessions and in-person convenings
• Proactively identify risks and bring forward solutions, exercising sound judgment in dynamic and ambiguous environments
• Leverage participant feedback and evaluation data to continuously improve program impact and delivery practices

Experience Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a primary, responsive point of contact for cohort participants
• Serve as organizational resource on participant experience, keeping internal and external stakeholders informed on progress, needs, and outcomes
• Navigate participant challenges and conflicts with professionalism and strong judgment
• Partner with Program Team staff and external facilitators to maintain a clear feedback loop between delivery and design, ensuring that live program implementation aligns with intended outcomes
• Partner with the Senior Director, Learning Design & Strategy and the Central Operations team to align program delivery with overall strategy and execution
• Coordinate the work of external facilitators and specialists, ensuring alignment with UpStart's delivery standards and participant experience goals
• Ensure consistency across cohort experiences and facilitators

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, or responsibilities associated with the position.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• 3-5 years of experience with program/project management, event management, and/or participant experience in both virtual and in-person settings
• Experience supporting cohort-based or group learning programs, with a focus on participant engagement and outcomes
• Proven ability to own and manage complex operations, including multiple concurrent cohorts or workstreams, with strong attention to detail and quality
• Experience translating curriculum or program plans into high-quality, well-executed participant experiences 
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, with experience working closely with operations, design, and/or external partners
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and navigate participant needs or challenges
• Familiarity with leading practices as it relates to designing accessible, inclusive events for adult learners preferred, including coordinating catering, supplies, accommodations, etc.
• Sound judgment and problem-solving skills in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
• Experience coordinating the work of facilitators or program staff
• Exposure to AI-powered tools or interest in deploying them
• Ability to synthesize participant feedback and evaluation data to drive continuous improvement in program delivery
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and creating meaningful learning environments for diverse participants
• Comfort with change, iteration, and working in a dynamic, evolving program model
• Comfort supporting virtual learning/LMS environments (e.g., discussion forums, assignment tracking, engagement monitoring)
• Commitment to leading through a lens of community and belonging
• Adaptability and agility in the face of change, both organizational and technological
• Passion for UpStart’s mission and the work of UpStart’s network
• Commitment to upholding UpStart’s values and Guiding Principles Regarding Client and Program Partnerships.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

UpStart sets salaries using biennial labor market benchmarking, conducted by an independent third-party partner, based on rates of pay at similar Bay Area organizations. Aligned with this practice, and in support of upholding internal equity, we don’t negotiate salaries. The starting annual salary for this role is $70,000.

In addition to a competitive salary, UpStart currently offers the following benefits: 

• A comprehensive benefits package, including 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance.
• 16 weeks of paid parental leave with no waiting period.
• 100% employer-funded Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) for medical-related travel, up to $1,950 per year.
• FSA and Commuter Benefits accounts.
• Employer-sponsored 401K with employer match.
• Flexible discretionary paid time off.
• Annual $1,500 professional development stipend.
• One-time $300 office setup stipend and provided Mac.
• Monthly $50 cell phone stipend.
• 3:00pm local close-of-business on Fridays.
• Days off for all work-prohibitive Jewish holidays, in addition to secular US holidays.
• A one-month (30 days) paid sabbatical per every five years of employment.
• Occasional travel for meetings, conferences, and other business-related activities.
• A great workplace culture! Check out our culture deck here.

HOW TO APPLY

Use the fields below to submit your resume and a thoughtful, one-page cover letter to our hiring team.

UpStart is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, UpStart will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided accommodations. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Sydney Hirsch, Managing Director, People & Culture at sydneyh@upstartlab.org for assistance.

WHAT TO EXPECT

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward.

Here’s an overview of our hiring process*: 

• Step 1: Apply with your resume and cover letter!
• Step 2: Phone screen with an UpStart recruiter. 
• Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.
• Step 4: A video interview with a panel of UpStart employees. 
• Step 5: We’ll check your references to learn about your past experience. 
• Step 6: Get an offer letter, sign it, and start your professional journey with UpStart!

*Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.