Senior Programs Manager
Position Start Date: September/October 2025
Report to: Education Manager
Location: Phoenix, AZ, with 1 day of remote flexibility
Priority Deadline: Sunday, August 24th, 11:59 PM MST
The position will be open until we find the right candidate. We are hoping to fill this position as soon as possible.
Aliento is a 501(c)3 non-profit 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. Aliento supports students and families through education initiatives, arts & healing programming, leadership development, civic engagement, and policy.
We have impacted the lives of close to 70,000 people through programs and led the efforts to pass Prop. 308, tuition equity for Arizona students regardless of immigration status. We are a leading voice for students, Dreamers, and immigrant families locally, nationally, and globally.
About Aliento
Position Summary
Aliento is seeking a Senior Programs Manager to join the team in a critical management position that will oversee the programs of the Cultiva, Nurture, and Transform departments. These programs are the heart of Aliento’s mission and work, and their continued development is essential to Aliento’s growth and success. The Senior Manager will ensure that the programs are running smoothly and effectively by overseeing the day-to-day details through both direct execution and team management. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Education and External Affairs, the Senior Manager would also support higher-level strategy to increase overall program effectiveness across departments. They will manage a total of four to six (4-6) direct reports:
(1) Leadership Development Coordinator
(1) Education Manager
(1) Cultiva Manager
(1-3) Contractors
As the manager of the core program team members, they will be expected to hold their direct reports to a high bar of excellence through consistent accountability and feedback cycles. The role is one that requires both a manager’s scope of oversight and detail-oriented execution. This position is based in Phoenix, Arizona, and is based in our regional office with one day of flexible remote work.
Who are we looking for
This role is an exciting opportunity for experienced candidates to join a growing organization with multifaceted needs, operating in a complex political landscape. Ideal candidates will be detail-oriented with strong communication skills, an entrepreneurial spirit, and have a successful background in program management and team management. This person will drive programmatic initiatives and improvements across multiple departments. This role is ideal for somebody who enjoys programmatic management and has a detailed approach to their personal execution, as well as that of their team members. Those with a goal-oriented and go-getter attitude and who thrive in a fast-paced environment are encouraged to apply.
Experience in non-profit, school-based, or community organizations is highly desired
4+ years of experience in relevant work: managing programs, team management, strategic planning, etc.
At least 3+ years of direct management experience of a team
Thrives in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced environment and is self-motivated to achieve results and continuously improve
Somebody who sees themselves on a continued pathway of programmatic leadership
Experienced in managing day-to-day program operations and execution, as well as overall strategic programmatic development
Team player who assumes the best in others and is self-reflective
Experience with project management - knowledgeable in creating project plans, managing up and laterally towards end project outcomes, and being able to pivot/adjust in fast-paced environments
Detail-oriented in their work and tasks, with strong organizational skills; holds others to the same standards
Compelling communicator, both written and verbal, to a variety of internal and external audiences
Proficient in Google Workspace
Aligned and committed to the mission and core values of Aliento; passionate about supporting immigrants, education, mental health, arts, and other areas that advance the rights of students, Dreamers, and immigrant families
Essential Functions
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Nurture:
Manage and execute a high-quality leadership development program for Aliento’s Fellowship
Oversee the program execution of Aliento’s Fellowship curriculum
Adapt the curriculum scope, sequence, and relevance of the curriculum for the initiative
Ensure the curriculum’s alignment with Aliento’s mission and vision
Track, monitor, and oversee the knowledge management of the Fellowship’s curriculum
Manage and execute a high-quality program for Aliento’s Hubs
Oversee the program execution of the various Hubs and ensure programmatic efficacy
Oversee the Aliento staff/contractors/officers that are involved in the Hubs to ensure effective participation
Create and develop an expansion strategy for Aliento’s Hubs
Work with the senior leadership of Aliento to gain approval and strategic feedback on the expansion approach
Transform:
Oversee the management and execution of Aliento’s education partnerships, while working with the Transform team and VP of Education and External Affairs to potentially expand these partnerships
Oversee the management and execution of Aliento’s educational scholarship programs to increase program efficacy and ensure goals are met.
Oversee the strategy and execution of Aliento’s educational training, providing support to students from mixed-status families to non-profit leaders and educational practitioners
Oversee the strategy and the execution of the Transform team with their community engagement and access to resource goals; lead strategy to ensure continued innovation around the engagement based on success and performance data
Cultiva:
Manage and execute a high-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 related to the Cultiva department and programs.
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Manage and professionally develop your team member(s):
(2) Leadership Development Coordinators
(1) Education Manager
(1) Arts and Healing Manager
Regular check-ins to understand and support their work streams, as well as monitor their progress toward goals
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 are effectively managing their team members’ programmatic workstreams, progress toward goals, and professional development.
Collaborate with the VP of Education and External Affairs to ensure that the departments all have ambitious and realistic performance goals.
Track and share progress toward organizational goals and overall performance feedback to direct reports with an ongoing feedback cycle, as well as sharing regular progress with the VP of Education and External Affairs
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Participate actively in weekly meetings
Meet weekly with the assigned supervisor with prepared check-in templates
Meet weekly with direct reports with expected check-in templates
Attend quarterly stepbacks and bi-annual retreats
Other duties, as needed
Compensation Package
FTE $70,000-$80,000, commensurate with experience
Flexible time off
Eligible for up to 22 days of PTO (on accrual system) + paid holidays
Full health insurance
Dental and Vision stipends
Professional development stipend
Retirement options to become available with a certain eligibility matching funds
What to Expect in the Hiring Process
Zoom interview (or similar platform)
Performance Activity
In-person interview
Reference check
Decision/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.