Lighthouse Writers Workshop

The Young Writers Program Manager’s goal is to envision, plan, and oversee educational programming within the Lighthouse young writers program, including designing and planning classes, workshops, and events, hiring, managing, and developing relationships with instructors, assisting with community events and programs, and evaluation review. They are responsible for overseeing the progress of all workshops, as well as special events, which include summer camps, in-house and community engagement workshops, special events, and other opportunities as they arise with the overall goal of using creative writing as a tool to help young writers learn about themselves, their peers, and the world around them. 

This position reports to the Program Director and supervises the young writers faculty. 

Specific areas of responsibility include the following:

Curriculum Development

• In partnership with instructors and site contacts (teachers, site managers), the YWP manager will create, develop, and manage all in-house and community-based workshops for youth, engaging young writers of all levels–from reluctant writers, to beginners and advanced writers–in a wide variety of styles, genres, and subject matter.

Marketing and Enrollment

• Partnering with the Communications Manager, tell the story of the youth program’s impact on individual participants and their communities. This may include publications, quarterly reports/newsletters, narratives, presentations (at conferences, community events, board meetings, etc.), blogs, and videos.
• Build relationships with existing and new schools, youth centers, and community partners by attending community events, scheduling meetings.

Instructor Management

• Recruit, hire, on-board, and manage youth instructors for all youth programs. Negotiate stipends, manage contracts, and check references.
• Work with Operations Manager to ensure accurate and up-to-date records are kept for instructor background checks, in line with state and federal requirements. 
• Mentor and support instructors to help them identify and create meaningful opportunities for development. Host or coordinate regular training sessions for instructors that will build camaraderie amongst the instructors.
• Observe workshops when necessary, evaluate instructor performance, and work with the Program team to supply comprehensive training as needed.

General Oversight and Organizational Support

• Working with the entire program team, create annual plans for youth community engagement and school outreach as well as in-house young writers workshops. 
• Analyze student/instructor feedback and evaluations; make necessary programmatic improvements as needed.
• Occasionally support other offerings, such as adult programs, retreats, readings, events, and help support Poetry Out Loud programming.

Budgeting and Record-keeping

• Manage the pay scale of all outreach instructors according to the Young Writers Program instructor handbook. Update facilitator handbook, as needed.
• Work with the Development, Operations and Accounting personnel to create, manage, and oversee an annual budget for youth programs.
• Negotiate program agreements and costs with off-site partners and collaborators.
• Work with the operations and finance teams to ensure that site partners are invoiced correctly and in a timely manner and that instructors are paid in a timely manner.
• Track, review and approve faculty invoices for relevant persons on a weekly basis.
• Manage expense reporting for Youth Programs on the company card on a monthly basis.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility

• Consistently work to build a more inclusive and equitable program and community, ensuring that all workshops and classes are welcoming and inclusive of all voices.
• Support faculty and staff in efforts to make Lighthouse more inclusive by providing opportunities for dialogue, listening sessions, and regular check-ins for youth and marginalized communities. Ensure that Lighthouse is welcoming to all youth, especially those from underserved and marginalized communities.
• Have the opportunity to serve on staff-led EDIA (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) committee.

Experience

Candidates should:

• Be able  to develop a bold, captivating vision for the program.
• Be an active reader with a breadth of knowledge around current literary culture and creative writing instruction.
• Have several years’ experience supporting a large-scale nonprofit organization.
• Have the ability to develop strong working relationships and engaging collaborations with partner organizations.
• Knowledge and strong belief in equity, diversity, inclusion, and access (EDIA).
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong organization and analytical skills, consistent attention to detail.
• Strong computer literacy, which includes use of Microsoft Suite, G-Suite, Slack, Asana, email, and more.
• Ability to interact professionally with staff, board members, volunteers, and other related
• partners.
• At least three years of small-group teaching/facilitation experience or experience working closely with young people (coaching, tutoring, after-school care, etc).
• Ability to manage and coach other instructors.
• Possess the maturity and confidence to handle a wide variety of relationships in schools and youth centers—with parents, teachers, program managers, site directors, administrators, and young writers of all ages and abilities.
• Be comfortable working with people in all levels of the organization as well as diverse external partners.
• Have some knowledge of fundraising and how it affects nonprofit program operations.

The ideal candidate is a dedicated and sensitive teacher, an avid reader, and an excellent writer with outstanding proofreading and editing skills. The ideal candidate is a flexible, enthusiastic, goal-driven, and organized self-starter who enjoys creating positive and inspiring relationships with all members of the Lighthouse community and the community at large. It is expected that this person could lead a variety of workshops within the program for additional pay in accordance with Lighthouse’s faculty handbook. The ideal candidate will also be prepared to occasionally participate in weekend and night-time activities, such as student readings and community events.

Compensation and Benefits

• 22 days of paid time off which can be used as sick, vacation, or personal time. 
• 11 paid holidays
• Fully paid medical, vision, and dental insurance for the individual and dependents. 
• Simple IRA retirement account with up to a 3% match.
• Flexible Spending Account
• Four free eight-week workshops, and four free one-day workshops (or equivalent); Lit Fest—one-weekend intensive, or three craft sessions.
• Hybrid work schedule with 2.5 days required in office.
• Salary range of $55,000-$60,000, commensurate with experience

Lighthouse Writers Workshop is a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, where all participants, employees, and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feel valued and respected. We value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are heard. To that end, we uphold a commitment to a diverse community by nurturing an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment.