Program & Volunteer Manager

About GiGi’s Playhouse 

Founded in 2003, GiGi’s Playhouse is dedicated to changing the way the world views Down syndrome and promoting acceptance for all. Through free educational and therapeutic programs delivered at more than 60 locations across North America, we help individuals with Down syndrome develop skills that support lifelong growth and independence.

Why This Role Matters
Programs at GiGi’s Playhouse are powered by volunteers and designed to help individuals with Down syndrome grow in confidence, skills, and independence. The Program & Volunteer Manager leads the volunteer team and systems that make these mission driven activities possible.

Job Description

GiGi’s Playhouse offers innovative programs for children and adults with Down syndrome that build confidence and develop a wide range of educational, therapeutic, and life skills. The Program & Volunteer Manager ensures Playhouse activities—including programs, events, and operational support—are staffed and delivered safely, consistently, and in alignment with GiGi’s Playhouse standards. Because GiGi’s Playhouse programs and many Playhouse activities are volunteer-led, this position plays a central leadership role in recruiting, onboarding, and supporting volunteers across programs, events, administrative activities, and committees.

Working in partnership with Board-led committees that oversee programs, marketing, development, and strategic initiatives, this role helps ensure strong alignment between program delivery and community engagement. Success in this position requires strong communication with volunteers, participants, families, and committee leaders, along with flexibility to observe or support programs as needed, including occasional evenings and weekends.

All staff serve as ambassadors for GiGi’s Playhouse, helping create a welcoming and inclusive environment for families, volunteers, donors, and community partners. GiGi’s Playhouse expects all staff and volunteers to embody our core values through enthusiasm, teamwork, accountability, and a strong belief in our mission and community impact.

Candidates with experience in nonprofit programs, volunteer management, special education, therapeutic recreation, or community programming are encouraged to apply.

Essential Job Functions:

Program Strategy & Planning

Support long-term program planning to ensure offerings meet family needs and align with the GiGi’s Playhouse mission.

• Collaborate with the Program Committee Lead to develop and maintain a 6–12 month program plan, including program sessions, themes, and new program rollout.
• Gather input from families through surveys, conversations, and other feedback methods to identify program needs, preferred scheduling, and opportunities for new offerings aligned with GiGi’s mission.

 Program Oversight & Improvement

Monitor program quality and effectiveness while identifying opportunities for improvement.

 • Ensure Playhouse programs align with GiGi’s Playhouse national objectives and brand standards while maintaining a project log to track ongoing program improvements.
• Collaborate with other GiGi’s Playhouse locations and the National Program Team to share best practices

• Maintain working knowledge of program models to observe and support program delivery when needed.

 Program Impact & Data Tracking

• Maintain proficiency in Salesforce to track volunteer activity, program participation, and related operational data, including periodic entry of certain donations and engagement information, while identifying opportunities to document program impact.

 Program Marketing
Support Playhouse communications by keeping program information current and capturing stories that highlight program impact.

 • Maintain the online calendar with program and event updates.
• Capture success stories, quotes, and photos during programs.
• Collaborate with the Marketing Lead to share updates through social media, the website, blog, and email communications.

 Volunteer Management

Volunteers support nearly every aspect of the Playhouse, including programs, events, administration, and committees. The Program & Volunteer Manager oversees recruitment, onboarding, training, and placement to ensure consistent volunteer support.

 • Identify volunteer needs and coordinate volunteer recruitment and placement across programs, events, administrative support, and committees.

• Represent GiGi’s Playhouse at community volunteer recruitment events and respond to volunteer inquiries, including management of the volunteer email account.

• Lead monthly Volunteer Orientation sessions and conduct individual orientations as needed.

• Maintain volunteer records in Salesforce, including demographics, availability, interests, and participation.

• Coordinate volunteer training and provide ongoing support to ensure readiness for programs and Playhouse activities.

• Communicate with Playhouse leadership and committee leads to ensure adequate volunteer coverage.

• Coordinate volunteer recognition efforts at least twice per year.

• Partner with the Marketing Committee to highlight volunteer impact through social media and other communications.

 Operations

Maintain a well-organized Playhouse environment that supports program delivery and day-to-day operations.

 • Ensure the Playhouse is organized and prepared for programs and activities.
• Manage routine supply needs for programs, events, and administrative functions.
• Coordinate with designated volunteers to address facility maintenance and larger operational needs.

 What Success Looks Like in This Role

Success in this role will be reflected through reliable delivery of Playhouse programs and activities, strong volunteer leadership, and positive experiences for participants and families.

 • Programs are consistently delivered as scheduled with appropriate volunteer coverage.
• A strong volunteer pipeline is maintained through effective recruitment, onboarding, training, and placement to support programs, events, administrative needs, and committee work across the Playhouse.

• Volunteers report positive onboarding, training, and support experiences.
• Program participation and volunteer engagement are accurately tracked in Salesforce.
• Families report positive program experiences and continued engagement with Playhouse programs.

 The successful candidate will demonstrate strong communication, organization, adaptability, and teamwork while maintaining a welcoming and mission-driven environment for families and volunteers.

Qualifications

Education & Experience
3–5 years of experience working with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Marketing or community outreach experience is a plus.  If you are passionate about GiGi’s Playhouse’s mission and believe your experience aligns with the spirit of this role, we encourage you to apply even if your background does not match every qualification listed.

Technology Skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), familiarity with social media platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook), and experience working with a database system such as Salesforce.

Work Environment
This is an in-person role requiring regular interaction with families, volunteers, and community partners, as well as occasional visits to local organizations for volunteer recruitment and community engagement.