Program Manager, VOCEL Families

Title:


Program Manager, VOCEL Families 

Supervised by: Director of Programs, VOCEL Families

Status: Exempt, Full-Time

Date: July 2026

ORGANIZATION HISTORY

VOCEL is a non-profit early childhood education organization that equips and supports parents, teachers, and school leaders to strengthen early learning in their homes and schools. With a core focus on brain-building playful learning, VOCEL designs and implements group learning programs across Chicago, prioritizing under-resourced neighborhoods that have experienced decades of disinvestment. On a mission to help ensure every child has the foundation to learn, grow, and lead, VOCEL is committed to raising the bar for early childhood excellence in Chicago and propelling children citywide to social, emotional, language, and academic success.

WHAT YOU’LL DO 

VOCEL is seeking an organized, thoughtful, and mission-driven Program Manager for VOCEL Families to strengthen and grow VOCEL’s family-facing programs and initiatives rooted in play and equity. Reporting to the Director of Programs, VOCEL Families, you’ll support VOCEL Staff and work with parents and other adults supporting and raising young children by providing two-generation classes, workshops, and by supporting other parents to lead their peers. In this role, you will implement and advance VOCEL’s family-programming and supervise and support Program Specialists to do the same, ensuring that people raising young children are supported with the knowledge, resources, and ongoing support that will help them and their children thrive. 

Specific responsibilities can include: 

Facilitate two-generation classes for parents and children (20-40%)

• Serve as a co-facilitator in the child-adult classroom, virtually and in-person, supporting learning through play
• Model responses to children’s words, sounds and gestures (with narration, repetition, extension, questions, etc.); our staff act as “language builders,” bringing high levels of conversation and vocabulary into all classes
• Engage with caregivers and children in conversation and play, as individuals and in groups
• Engage parents in conversations and peer-sharing on early childhood development topics in a welcome and supportive environment
• Provide individual children with developmental and trauma screenings at the request of caregivers
• Offer referrals for additional support when needed, including supplies, therapy, and other supportive services
  
  

Supervise and Support Staff (20% - 40%)

• Directly manage direct reports, including
  • Facilitate regular 1-1 check-ins to discuss work, problem-solve issues, and support employee’s professional development and success
  • Approve PTO requests, expense reports, etc.
  • Onboard and train new staff, as relevant

• Participate in staffing and employee development decisions, as relevant
  
  

Parent Leader & Staff Stewardship and Supervision (20-40%)

• Build rapport and relationships with Parent Leaders
• Regularly meet with Parent Leaders to discuss challenges, strengths, questions, and ideas and maintain adherence to The VOCEL Way and play philosophy
• Communicate regularly with Parent Leaders using Engage Spaces, email, slack, WhatsApp, etc. as needed
• Conduct class observations at each assigned cohort at least once per program session and provide feedback
  
  

Facilitate Workshops (20-40%)

• Lead portions of workshop development and facilitation, including coordination and design
• Facilitate individual and series-based workshops for groups of parents and/or adults working with children
• Work with Director of Curriculum to adjust workshops based on audience and provide concrete resources and research
• Validate primary caregivers as their child’s first and best teacher and honor their individual and family cultures, experiences, and perspectives
  
  

Program Coordination & Collaboration (15-25%)

• Coordinate with staff and Parent Leaders to ensure adherence to and understanding of the VOCEL curriculum
• Coordinate with Director of Programs, VOCEL Families and Parent Leaders to ensure that all sites have necessary supplies
• Enter data in Salesforce, tracking program targets including, but not limited to member enrollment, engagement, attendance, assessments, etc.
• Maintain and use Engage Spaces, including archiving and inviting members
• Support partnership development by attending community events, recruitment events, and school-walk-throughs, as requested by the Director or Programs, VOCEL Families and Director of Partnerships
  
  

Miscellaneous (5-10%)

• Perform clerical responsibilities and other duties as assigned
• Participate in required staff, committee, and/or Board meetings
• Provide support for development events
• Protect the organization by keeping information confidential 
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

WHAT YOU BRING  

This is a leadership opportunity for anyone interested in early childhood development, facilitation, and play and who wants to be part of an entrepreneurial, collaborative, mission-driven, and people-first organization.

Background and experience we’d like to see:  

• At least 3 years in early childhood development programming, teaching, or related field
• A passion for early childhood education and deep alignment with VOCEL’s core values: Put People First, Welcome All, Embrace the Child Within, Innovate with Intention, Promote Equity, and Build a Better Tomorrow
• Proven experience working with families
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred, but not required
• Local to Chicago
  
  

The ideal candidate demonstrates: 

• Collaboration: You can work with people from differing backgrounds and positions to achieve outcomes and goals
• Initiative: You are proactive about your work and able to problem-solve and seek support when needed
• Strong Commitment to Equity: You prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion and proactively seek out diverse perspectives and ideas in your analysis, design, and collaboration that celebrate different cultures, learning styles, and language.
• Effective Relationship Building Skills: You form trusting and honest relationships with people, fostering good communication, vulnerability, and a desire to engage
• Facilitation: You are able to command a room and create a welcoming and trusting environment that encourages conversation and idea sharing while keeping to a schedule
• Organization: You can keep details organized and maintain schedules and deadlines
  
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT  

• The daily schedule will be set in conjunction with the Director of Programs, VOCEL Families,  but can expect to generally include hours between 7am-5pm, Monday through Friday. This role will involve some evening or weekend work.
• This position is based in Chicago and is a hybrid role, requiring some in-person work at VOCEL’s office or other venues across Chicago and the surrounding area. A personal vehicle is strongly preferred.
• You will routinely use standard office equipment (laptops, photocopiers, scanners, filing cabinets, and common office supplies) and a reliable cell phone with apps for communication (e.g., Slack, BambooHR).
• The role involves frequent talking, hearing, and visual interaction; you may be required to stand, walk, and use hands to operate office equipment, and there may be long periods of sitting. Occasional lifting of objects up to 50 pounds (with assistance if needed) may be required.
•  VOCEL offers a smoke- and drug-free environment.
•  Documentation of U.S. citizenship or eligibility to work in the U.S. is required. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

All decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, military service, order of protection status, physical, mental, or neuro disability, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state, or local statutes.  

WHAT WE OFFER 

VOCEL offers a competitive compensation package including:  

• Annual salary of $63,277 - $71,871; commensurate with experience. Salary may be increased for Spanish language fluency
• Health, dental, and vision insurance (50-60% covered by VOCEL) 
• IRA with employer matching up to 3%
• Generous monthly technology reimbursement  
• Mileage reimbursement  
• Generous paid time off including: 

• Paid holidays with opportunity to swap holidays for personal/religious observance
• 12 days of elective paid time off per year 
• Additional breaks throughout the year, exact number of days variable based on calendar and determined by VOCEL
• Up to 5 paid sick days 
• Up to 5 paid self, family, and community care days

• “VOCEL Fridays” (staff work an abbreviated workday ending at 1 pm)