Program Manager

Job Posting: Program Manager (Full-time)

Organization: Game Changers Leadership Institute (GCLI)

Location: Riverside, California

Position Type: Full-Time, Starting early February 2026

Salary Pay: $67,000- $77,000 salary, commensurate with experience

Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities, 401(k), monthly cell phone allowance, and wellness benefits.

Game Changers Leadership Institute (GCLI) is seeking a dedicated and passionate individual to join our team as a Program Manager for our innovative youth leadership program. As a 501c3 organization founded in 2018, GCLI is committed to fostering leadership and empowerment among BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) youth in the Inland Empire, with aspirations for statewide expansion. Our mission is to provide a platform for young leaders to develop their skills, express their passions, raise their voices, and address systemic change authentically. We empower BIPOC youth to become future leaders, activists, and organizers.. Our focus is equipping our youth with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to effectively lead and advocate for their communities. 

Responsibilities:

• Mentoring and supporting BIPOC youth in a program that fosters leadership and community impact. Serve as an educator and mentor supervisor to program participants, sharing personal experiences, insights, and strategies for success.
• Supervising program staff to develop and implement engaging and culturally relevant curriculum and programming. Budget oversight and materials procurement,
• Safety and reporting compliance management. 
• Assist with recruitment efforts to attract and retain diverse cohorts of young leaders, promoting inclusivity and equity within the program.
• Actively engage with program alumni and maintain connections to support ongoing mentorship and networking.
• Leading and facilitating discussions and activities that promote personal and professional development.
• Encouraging participants to express their talents and address issues affecting their communities.
• Supervising program coordinators and staff scheduling to ensure the success of the program. Proving 1:1 support in programmatic needs and professional development,  continuing education, safety awareness, and training for mentors alongside Operations and HR staff. 
• Ensuring that programs follow safety protocols, and compliance requirements. 
• Reporting, mentorship logging, and general administrative duties as needed.
• Providing strategic support to GCLI’s leadership team and working with leadership to manage daily activities. 

Cultural Competency:

An essential prerequisite for this position is a profound understanding and comfort in engaging with Black youth, the Black community, and other communities of color. The successful candidate must have an in-depth knowledge of racial and social justice issues on a local, statewide, and national scale. Familiarity with transformative justice or abolitionist ideologies is crucial. This role requires a commitment to promoting inclusivity, equity, and social justice in all interactions and initiatives.

Requirements:

• Experience working with youth, particularly BIPOC youth, in mentoring or counseling roles
• Strong understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing BIPOC youth in California
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to commit up to 40 hours per week, including evenings and weekends as needed, sometimes with short notice 
• Passion for empowering youth and facilitating positive change in communities
• Punctual, respectful, and culturally competent
• A strong history of staff supervision and administrative management
• Proven fundraising, grant writing, and networking skills 
• Ability to draft staffing schedules and accommodate sick time and PTO requests 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required, or commensurate experience. A Master's degree is strongly preferred.
• 24 years of age or older 
• A minimum of 2 years experience and certifications in youth development, counseling, leadership, or community engagement
• Familiarity with the Riverside, California community and surrounding areas including community resources and systems including education, juvenile justice, and social services.
• Strong understanding of youth development principles, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive practices. 
• Knowledge or experience in disaster preparedness and emergency response protocols, CPR training is a plus
• Familiarity with transportation and safety guidelines for youth activities and outings. Possession of valid California driver's license and a clean driving record
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, or secondary language is a plus
• A strong passion for inclusion, diversity, and a passion for creating safe spaces through social change. 
• An ability to work independently or as part of a team. But when working with the team, you lead by example. 
• A history of supervision of a small team, including performance development and documentation. 
• An ability to problem solve and communicate effectively with team members, and create trust with youth from diverse backgrounds. This includes the ability to make good judgement calls without needing extensive details and structural support. 

Digital Innovation: 

We are a digitally innovative organization and have a robust tech stack. The ideal candidate will be comfortable with technology and have proficient computer skills. We use Google Workspace, including Docs, Sheets, and Slides, Keela or a similar CRM, Slack, Zoom, and Canva. 

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter detailing their qualifications and passion for the role at GCLI.

Join us in empowering the next generation of leaders and making a meaningful impact in our community. Our application process will include a background check, several interviews, as well as conversations with previous employers.

GCLI's 2025-26 cohort is specifically designed for youth ages 16-24 residing in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. If you are dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of young leaders and are eager to contribute to positive change, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

For any accessibility questions or requests, please contact ming@gcyouthlead.org, we welcome opportunities to learn and grow with a diverse workforce. 

Game Changers Leadership Institute (GCLI) is an equal-opportunity employer. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive workplace where contributions are valued and celebrated, and our employees thrive by being themselves and are inspired to do the best work of their lives.

We seek applicants of all backgrounds and identities across race, color, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or parental status, or disability. Applicants will not be discriminated against based on these or other protected categories or social identities. Game Changers Leadership Institute (GCLI) will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with applicable laws. Justice-impacted applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Game Changers Leadership Institute (GCLI) is committed to fully including all applicants. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please inform our recruiting team or email lnorwood@gcyouthlead.org.