Program Manager

Join our team and support Montana writers

Missoula Writing Collaborative partners with schools and communities to teach the imaginative power of language. We offer programs for adults and kids throughout the year, alongside our Writers in the Schools residencies. Come join our small and mighty staff to empower writers of all ages.

The person in the Program Manager position will organize, promote, and supervise all aspects of the organization’s programs, excluding Writers in the Schools residencies. Programs include but is not limited to Writers’ Room classes and summer camps. The person will plan and deliver on these and other programs, and all of the details, marketing, and communications that ensure their success. They will report to and work closely with the Executive Director and will collaborate with other staff, the Board of Directors, and others in the community. 

This is a part-time, in-person position that works out of our office at Fort Missoula. This position is hourly, and hours will vary throughout the year. Some hybrid/remote work is possible, when appropriate. The role does require some travel around Missoula and occasionally in other western Montana towns.

Job specifics

The MWC Program Manager will deliver quality, mission-aligned programs including summer camps, adult classes, and other offerings of their design. 

The work includes:

• Maintaining and building on existing programs 
• Coordinating all program details including venues, supplies, marketing, and more
• Managing program instructors and assisting in vetting and hiring new instructors
• Proposing, evaluating, and facilitating other mission-aligned programs as needs and opportunities arise
• Creating and tracking program budgets
• Promoting programs to specific audiences via digital and print media
• Sourcing and securing sponsorships, in-kind donations, and some grants in support of specific programs
• Communicating consistently and clearly with families, participants, instructors, sponsors, and staff
• Gathering feedback to inform future programs
• Assisting ED with projects and MWC fundraising as needed

Summer Camps

• Manage an annual calendar of tasks required for running successful summer camps for young writers
• Coordinate all afternoon activities programming
• Organize end-of camp readings; compile, print, and distribute anthology
• Lead with compassion, creativity, and clarity, and ensure for the safety of all instructors and participants

Writers’ Room Classes

• Seek and manage proposals for classes; source and hire instructors
• Plan venues, supplies, and promote classes to participants

Poetry Month

• Offer a month-long series of varied events celebrating poetry and the literary arts in and around Missoula and western Montana
• Garner community support through engagement, sponsorships, marketing

Qualifications, experience, and attributes we are looking for:

• Successful prior experience managing programs and people
• Creative, strategic vision for mission-aligned programming
• Proven, effective organizational skills and a talent for following through on umpteen details for multiple programs
• Consistent on-time task management and delegation skills
• Effective efficient communication in many genres of writing and speaking
• Ability to establish and build positive working relationships with different partners
• Experience in literary arts programming ideal, but not required
• Technical competencies in at least the Google suite of tools (Gmail, Calendar, Meet, Drive, Docs, Sheets) and Canva, and comfort learning new software
• Ability to work and solve challenges independently
• Passion for our mission
  

Hours and compensation

The Programs Manager position is part time, and will average 15-20 hours a week, except for the two weeks of summer camp in July, which will be full-time.

Pay is $25 per hour.

Benefits include a flexible work schedule, paid holidays, and opportunities for professional development and training. The person in this position will work with writers and creatives throughout the community, and will support the literary arts in western Montana.