Programs Manager
Full-time Position
Position Start Date: As Soon as Possible
Report to: Leadership Team
Location: Phoenix, AZ, with one remote-work day that may be scheduled only on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, in accordance with Aliento policy
🗓 Priority Deadline: Friday, July 24, at 11:59 PM
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until position is filled.
Aliento is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving students, Dreamers, and immigrant families to transform trauma into hope and action. Aliento is led by directly impacted individuals, youth, and supporters who strive to create an environment where human potential is nurtured and not defined by immigration status.
Our work is about cultivating power, nurturing collective action, and transforming lived experiences into a shared movement for dignity, healing, and lasting change. Through education initiatives, organizing, leadership development, healing-centered spaces, civic engagement, and policy advocacy, Aliento builds community power rooted in care, courage, and collective liberation.
We have impacted the lives of more than 80,000 people and led the efforts to pass Prop. 308, securing tuition equity for Arizona students regardless of immigration status. Aliento is a leading voice for students, Dreamers, and immigrant families locally, nationally, and globally.
About Aliento
Position Summary
Aliento is seeking a Programs Manager to join the team in a critical management position that will oversee the programs of the Cultiva, and Transform-Education departments. These programs are a critical part of Aliento’s mission and work, and their continued development is essential to Aliento’s growth and success.
The Programs Manager will ensure that programs run smoothly and effectively through a combination of team leadership, program strategy, and hands-on execution.
The Programs Manager will contribute to higher-level strategy and help increase program effectiveness across departments.
The Programs Manager will supervise three to four direct reports, including full-time employees and independent contractors, as well as one intern.
This position is based in Phoenix and works primarily from Aliento's office. One remote-work day may be scheduled only on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, subject to organizational policy and departmental coverage needs.
WHAT THIS ROLE LOOKS LIKE
The Programs Manager balances team leadership, program strategy, and hands-on execution. The role oversees the day-to-day work of the Cultiva and Transform-Education departments while ensuring that programs meet their goals, maintain a high standard of quality, and respond to the needs of students, families, educators, and community partners.
Manage three to four direct reports, including full-time employees and independent contractors, as well as one intern.
Hold weekly check-ins with direct reports to review priorities, progress toward goals, challenges, and professional development.
Work closely with program team members to plan and deliver workshops, trainings, community events, scholarship initiatives, and education partnerships.
Monitor program data, participation, outcomes, and feedback to identify areas for improvement.
Coordinate projects across Cultiva and Transform-Education and ensure that responsibilities, deadlines, and expectations are clear.
Step in to support program execution when additional leadership or hands-on assistance is needed.
Collaborate with the Leadership Team on program strategy, organizational goals, staffing needs, and performance updates.
Build and maintain relationships with schools, community partners, contractors, facilitators, students, and families.
Provide coaching, feedback, and accountability while supporting a positive and collaborative team culture.
Represent Aliento at community events, partner meetings, presentations, and other public-facing opportunities as needed.
Who are we looking for
This role is an opportunity for an experienced program and people manager to join a growing organization with multifaceted needs. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, communicates clearly, demonstrates initiative, and can manage both personal deliverables and team performance. Those with a goal-oriented and go-getter attitude and who thrive in a fast-paced environment are encouraged to apply.
Minimum qualifications:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
At least four years of relevant experience in program management, team management, strategic planning, or a related area.
At least three years of direct people-management experience.
Experience managing day-to-day program operations and contributing to strategic program development.
Experience creating project plans, coordinating work across teams and leadership levels, and adjusting plans when priorities change.
Strong written and verbal communication skills for a variety of internal and external audiences.
Professional proficiency in spoken and written Spanish and English.
Proficiency in Google Workspace.
Commitment to Aliento's mission and core values and to supporting students, Dreamers, immigrant families, education, mental health, and the arts.
Preferred qualifications:
Experience in nonprofit, school-based, or community organizations.
Experience supporting immigrant, first-generation, or mixed-status communities.
A collaborative and reflective management approach, including openness to feedback and continuous learning.
Thrives in a fast-paced environment and is self-motivated to achieve results and a lifelong learner
Somebody who sees themselves on a continuous pathway of programmatic leadership
Team player who assumes the best in others and is self-reflective
Detail-oriented in their work and tasks, with strong organizational skills; holds others to the same standards
Essential Functions
Specified duties include, but are not limited to the following:
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Transform-Education:
Oversee the management and execution of Aliento’s education partnerships, collaborating with the Transform-Education team and the VP of Education and External Affairs to identify opportunities for growth and expansion.
Oversee Aliento’s educational scholarship programs to strengthen program effectiveness and ensure established goals are met.
Lead the strategy and execution of education and post-secondary pathway training and support for students from immigrant families, nonprofit leaders, and educational practitioners.
Transform Services:
Oversee the strategy and execution of Aliento’s Know Your Rights trainings to ensure community members receive timely, accurate, and accessible information.
Oversee and coordinate the work of the contracted Family & Community Liaison to ensure community members are connected with relevant resources and services.
Lead community engagement and resource-access strategies, using community feedback and performance data to improve services and identify opportunities for continued innovation.
Cultiva:
Oversee and, when needed, directly supporthigh-quality trauma-informed program for Aliento’s Cultiva programs: Arts and Healing Workshops, Open Mics, and the Art Gallery event
Oversee the program execution of each Cultiva initiative, with an emphasis on increased efficacy and programmatic excellence.
Supervise and optimize the performance of contractors, interns, and other staff supporting Cultiva programs.
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Manage and professionally develop direct reports through regular check-ins that review workstreams, progress toward goals, challenges, and support needs.
Create professional growth pathways for your team member(s) that ensure growth and consistent accountability for high performance.
Ensure that direct reports who are also managers effectively oversee their team members' workstreams, goals, and professional development.
Collaborate with the Leadership Team to establish ambitious and realistic goals for the Cultiva and Transform-Education departments.
Track progress toward organizational and program goals and provide direct reports and the position's supervisor with regular updates on performance, challenges, and corrective actions.
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Participate actively in required weekly staff, program, and supervisory meetings.
Meet weekly with the assigned supervisor with prepared check-in templates
Meet weekly with direct reports with expected check-in templates
Attend quarterly program-planning and reflection meetings ("stepbacks") and twice-yearly staff retreats.
Support the development of communications content related to the departments.
Serve as a spokesperson for the organization at community events, partner meetings, presentations, or other public-facing opportunities (as needed).
Perform other duties as needed.
Compensation Package
This is a full-time, exempt position with an annual salary range of $68,000 to $75,000, commensurate with experience.
Accrual of PTO per the PTO policy, including 12 days during the first year of employment.
Organization-paid holidays, including approximately two weeks off during the winter break.
Earned paid sick time, as required by Arizona law
Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Professional-development opportunities, subject to organizational policy and available funding.
Eligibility to participate in Aliento's 401(k) plan.
Additional organization benefits may include staff lunches, access to an on-site gym, and therapy or wellness sessions, subject to availability.
Applications submitted by Friday, July 24, at 11:59 PM MST will be prioritized for review.
Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE HIRING PROCESS:
Initial phone screening interview
30-minute Virtual interview
Performance activity
In-person interview
Reference check
Final decision and offer
ALIENTO is an equal opportunity employer. Our team works with impacted communities, stakeholders, and institutions to co-create a place where the human potential is nurtured and not defined by immigration status. We believe our strength is centering youth, healing, truth and reconciliation, and the ability of impacted communities to co-create change and solutions that lead to equitable, inclusive, and thriving communities. Individuals who are proximate to the immigrant experience are strongly encouraged to apply.