Program Manager

Programs Manager, Sister to Sister Mentorship Program

Shaping Her Earth
Location: New York, NY
Position Type: Temporary, Part-Time
Duration: 12-week program, with preparation and onboarding beginning in mid-November 2026
Compensation: $25–$30 per hour, depending on experience, subject to the approved budget and confirmed hours
Reports to: Executive Director

About Shaping Her Earth

Shaping Her Earth (SHE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering girls and young women, particularly those from underserved communities, through mentorship, educational enrichment, leadership development, and access to opportunities that support their personal, academic, and professional growth.

Founded in response to the transformative power of mentorship, encouragement, and access to opportunity, SHE invests in the next generation of leaders, with a particular commitment to creating spaces where girls and young women of color can build confidence, develop their talents, pursue their goals, and positively impact their communities.

Guided by three core pillars, SHE Mentors, SHE Leads, and SHE Connects, the organization delivers programs including Sister to Sister, Bridging the Gap, and SHE on Campus. Through sustained mentorship and community-centered programming, SHE helps young women navigate educational and career pathways, cultivate meaningful relationships, and develop the skills and confidence to lead with purpose.

About the Role

Shaping Her Earth is seeking an organized, collaborative, and mission-driven Programs Manager for its Sister to Sister Mentorship Program in New York City. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Programs Manager will coordinate the preparation and implementation of the program’s 12-week cycle at Columbia University, beginning in January 2027.

The position begins in mid-November 2026 with orientation and onboarding. Key responsibilities include coordinating with participating high schools, supporting student application review and enrollment, preparing weekly curriculum materials, communicating with mentors, overseeing in-person sessions, and tracking program outcomes.

The successful candidate will be responsible for implementing SHE’s established program model in alignment with its mission, values, and objectives. This role requires strong organizational and communication skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage responsibilities independently while maintaining effective relationships with students, mentors, schools, and organizational leadership.

The ideal candidate brings experience in education, youth development, mentorship, or program coordination, along with a commitment to expanding educational access and leadership opportunities for young people.

About the Sister to Sister Mentorship Program

Sister to Sister is a 12-week mentorship program that connects high school students with college-aged women who serve as near-peer mentors. Through meaningful relationships and structured programming, participants explore academic goals, college and career pathways, personal development, and leadership.

Sister to Sister meets young people where they are, equipping both mentors and mentees with the confidence, clarity, connections, and leadership skills to move forward with purpose. The program also recognizes and addresses the unique experiences and challenges young women of color navigate in education and beyond.

The New York City program meets in person once a week at Columbia University during the spring semester.

Key Responsibilities

Program Preparation and Enrollment

• Communicate with participating high schools regarding program enrollment, application timelines, student participation, and program logistics.
• Review student applications and support the enrollment and selection process.
• Maintain accurate enrollment records and communicate next steps to schools and prospective participants.
• Prepare for the January program launch by organizing schedules, materials, and program logistics.
• Review and revise existing Sister to Sister curriculum and lesson plans in preparation for implementation.
• Participate in orientation and onboarding beginning in mid-November.

Weekly Program Implementation

• Coordinate and oversee the weekly, in-person Sister to Sister sessions on Columbia University’s campus for the 12-week program.
• Prepare, revise, and finalize curriculum and lesson materials for each upcoming session.
• Distribute weekly lesson plans and relevant materials to mentors in advance of each session.
• Ensure mentors understand the weekly lesson objectives, activities, and expectations.
• Supervise and support mentors and mentees during program sessions, maintaining a safe, welcoming, and productive environment.
• Manage program logistics, materials, scheduling, attendance, and participant engagement.
• Identify and communicate program challenges and emerging needs to the Executive Director.

Communication and Relationship Management

• Serve as a primary point of contact for Sister to Sister program logistics and communication.
• Maintain regular communication with SHE leadership, participating high schools, mentors, mentees, and parents or guardians as appropriate.
• Provide timely reminders, updates, and information regarding program schedules, expectations, and activities.
• Help foster a supportive mentorship environment grounded in SHE’s mission and values.
• Handle participant information and records responsibly and confidentially.

Evaluation and Administration

• Track attendance, participation, and other relevant program outcomes.
• Maintain organized program records and documentation.
• Gather feedback and contribute to evaluating the effectiveness of program activities.
• Report program successes, challenges, and emerging needs to the Executive Director on an ongoing basis.
• Prepare a brief end-of-program summary documenting outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations for future program cycles.
• Perform other program-related administrative duties as needed.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience working with high school students, college students, youth-serving organizations, or educational programs.
• Experience in mentorship, youth development, college access, curriculum coordination, or nonprofit program management is strongly preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with students, mentors, educators, and community partners.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to prioritize responsibilities and meet deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and communicate proactively with the Executive Director.
• Commitment to SHE’s mission and the educational, personal, and professional development of girls and young women.
• Willingness to learn and implement SHE’s established program framework.

Schedule and Compensation

• Start date: Mid-November 2026 for orientation and onboarding.
• Program dates: January 2027, for 12 weeks.
• Location: Columbia University, New York, NY, for weekly in-person sessions.
• Additional work: School outreach, application review, curriculum preparation, mentor communication, and program administration outside of weekly sessions.
• Compensation: $25–$30 per hour, depending on experience, with anticipated hours and the final compensation arrangement established before hiring.

Candidates must be able to travel to Columbia University and commit to the scheduled weekly program sessions throughout the program period.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a résumé and cover letter to [email protected]. Please include relevant experience working with young people, coordinating educational or mentorship programs, preparing curriculum, or managing community-based initiatives.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Shaping Her Earth is seeking a committed and dependable professional who can help deliver a meaningful mentorship experience and support the growth, confidence, and future aspirations of the young women participating in Sister to Sister.

Learn more about Shaping Her Earth: www.shapingherearth.org

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour

Work Location: In person