Program Manager, Pathway Initiatives & Volunteer Opportunities

Description:
 

Job Description Summary:
 

This position provides leadership and strategic oversight for institutional pathway initiatives designed to expand access to healthcare careers for underrepresented youth. These include internship programs, conferences, field trips, and school visits. This position is responsible for developing, executing, and evaluating multi-year pathway strategies that align with university priorities, workforce development needs, and health equity goals. The role includes oversight of complex programs, volunteer engagement systems, external partnerships, and grant-funded initiatives. This position manages cross-departmental initiatives, and ensures measurable outcomes that support institutional mission, enrollment goals, and community impact.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Job Duties and Accountabilities:

An Asterisk (*) denotes an “essential job function” for ADA purposes.

Program Management: Oversee the development and implementation of pathway programs designed to engage underrepresented youth in healthcare career exploration. This includes coordinating workshops, field trips, career fairs, mentorship opportunities, and educational resources. This position will also oversee grant programs related to pathway building and health equity.

45%

Volunteer Coordination & Strategy Building: Develop and oversee a university-wide volunteer engagement strategy that supports curricular and co-curricular learning, community engagement, and institutional service goals. Build sustainable systems for recruitment, training, deployment, and recognition of volunteers. Provide consultation to academic programs seeking to integrate volunteer or community engagement components. Supervise volunteer cohorts during CCE/EHI events and serve as a subject-matter expert on effective volunteer utilization.
 

30%

Community Partnership Building: Cultivate and strengthen partnerships with community organizations, schools (including Community Colleges), and healthcare institutions to build pathways that support youth engagement in healthcare careers and promote diversity in the healthcare workforce. This includes working in collaboration with the SMU Office of Admissions to build solid pipelines for future SMU students who are underrepresented in the healthcare field. This position also involves the coordination of internal groups, including student clubs whose missions involve pathway building, to align with the CCE/EHI’s and the broader university’s mission around pathway building.

15%

Program Evaluation: Track and assess program outcomes, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, and providing regular updates on progress to stakeholders.

5%

Other duties as assigned

5%

Skills and Abilities:

• Program Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple pathway programs and ensure their successful execution.
• Volunteer Management: Experience recruiting, training, and managing volunteers, with the ability to create a positive and productive environment for volunteers; think strategically about volunteer engagement strategy.
• Youth Engagement: Ability to engage with underrepresented youth, fostering relationships and providing support for career exploration and professional development.
• Community Partnership Building: Strong networking and relationship-building skills to cultivate partnerships with schools, community organizations, and healthcare institutions/community clinics.
• Event Coordination: Experience planning and coordinating events, ensuring smooth logistics and positive participant experiences.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively work with youth, volunteers, community partners, and stakeholders.
• Cultural Responsiveness: Deep understanding of the challenges faced by underrepresented youth in pursuing healthcare careers and a commitment to equity.
• Problem-Solving & Adaptability: Ability to think creatively and strategically to overcome challenges and enhance the effectiveness of programs.

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in public health or a related degree is required, with a minimum of five years of experience. Master’s degree preferred. Experience in community education and outreach, pathway building, program planning and evaluation, and a thorough understanding of health equity issues required. Leadership experience as a program or project director Experience with grant management and reporting.

Physical Efforts:

Physical ability to lift 25 pounds

Employee Status:

Regular

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Exempt)

Time Type:

Full time

Job Shift:

Pay Range:

$88k to $95k annually

Samuel Merritt University currently provides base salary ranges for all positions-on job advertisements-in the United States based on local requirements. Individual compensation will ultimately be determined based on a variety of relevant factors including but-not limited to qualifications, geographic location, and other relevant skills.