Program Manager

• Position Title: Program Manager, Workforce Development
• Position Level: Program Manager
• Reports to: Director of Workforce Development
• FLSA Status: Salary, Exempt, Full-Time
• Hiring Range: $44,000 - $47,000
• Prepared Date: October 2026

About WMCAT

The West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology (WMCAT) provides a culture of opportunity for people to make social and economic progress in their lives and community. We fulfill our mission through visual arts and tech engagement and workforce development.

Workforce Development (WFD) builds income security with families and young adults through post-secondary exploration, career training, and leadership development. This includes:

WMCAT’s tuition-free Adult Career Training Program offers Kent County adults experiencing under- and unemployment the opportunity to learn a new career, grow personally and professionally, and build a network with industry and community leaders. Our welcoming environment, small class sizes, and extra support services move adults toward new careers in the cybersecurity and pharmacy technician fields. These career pathways pay living wages, may offer benefits, and provide opportunities for career advancement.

Step Year at WMCAT is specifically designed to help young adults find a career or educational path that’s right for them. The tuition-free program is a unique mix of college and career exploration, self-discovery, and connections to employment pathways in a variety of sectors. Through WMCAT's curated curriculum and mentorship approach, students develop an action plan to guide their next steps toward post-secondary education and career.

Step Year is tuition-free and is open to young adults ages 18-24 who have a high school diploma or GED and live in Kent County.

Position Summary

The Program Manager is responsible for managing Workforce Development (WFD) initiatives at WMCAT, including leading all aspects of the Step Year at WMCAT program. This encompasses recruiting participants, coordinating activities, implementing the established curriculum, planning and facilitating class sessions, and connecting students to community resources.

Additionally, the Program Manager provides holistic support for participants in the Adult Career Training Program, which includes managing community partnerships, engaging in systems-level work, and offering direct support to students and alumni. This role also supports recruitment and retention efforts for other Workforce Development programs as needed.

The ideal candidate will have experience supporting individuals as they navigate educational and career pathways, along with a strong understanding of the barriers that can impact their success. A deep knowledge of Kent County's community resources and support systems, or a demonstrated ability to identify, navigate, and build relationships with these resources, is essential.

This includes connecting participants to services that address needs such as housing, transportation, childcare, food security, financial stability, and other barriers to educational and career advancement. The ideal candidate will also demonstrate an understanding of systemic inequities and their impacts, a commitment to building trusting relationships, and the ability to advocate for participants while helping them achieve their personal, educational, and professional goals.

Essential Duties + Responsibilities

Community Engagement

Develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of community resources, services, and support systems throughout Kent County that address barriers to student success.

Build and sustain relationships with community organizations and service providers to ensure students have access to resources that support their personal, educational, and professional goals.

Participate in systems-level work and initiatives to drive systemic change for students and families.

Holistic Student Support

Champion the student support process to ensure student needs are met.

Manage WMCAT’s relationships with external support systems such as DHHS and on-site Arbor Circle therapist.

Act as a liaison between students and both internal and external support systems.

Maintain contact with program alumni to check in, offer support, and assist with next steps and transitions.

Program Management

Lead the day-to-day planning, coordination and implementation of the Step Year program, ensuring alignment with established program goals and curriculum.

Coordinate with director of workforce development to identify opportunities for Step Year program partnerships and modify curriculum as necessary.

Document findings and recommendations for internal use and reporting purposes.

Classroom Facilitation

Facilitate engaging content that supports adults on a structured personal leadership development journey.

Empower students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to explore and navigate post-secondary opportunities, career pathways, and other opportunities aligned with their goals.

Recruitment + Retention

Lead and support recruitment and retention efforts for Step Year and Adult Career Training programs.

Documentation

Maintain accurate and timely student records in Salesforce, including participation, support services, referrals, follow-up activities, and outcomes.

WMCAT Mission + Organizational Expectations

Maintain a commitment to the mission and vision of WMCAT.

Demonstrate a willingness and desire to grow professionally, learn new skills, and contribute to a culture of inclusivity and equity.

Represent WMCAT at occasional designated events throughout the year, which may occur outside of standard scheduled hours.

Desire to align with WMCAT’s values (listed below).

Other Duties

Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Preferred Experiences + Skills
• Demonstrated experience could include: Connecting students to post-secondary opportunities
• Resource navigation or case management
• Working through the complexities and impact of systemic inequities
• Working in a nonprofit setting
• Working in various communities to build partnerships and make connections
• Bachelor’s degree or graduate degree
• Proven ability to engage learners in non-traditional classroom settings
• Experience facilitating diverse groups
• Curriculum development
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to work well with a variety of people in a team setting with an appreciation for a collaborative environment.
• Experience navigating MI Bridges systems is highly preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills and desire to maximize efficiency in this role.
• Ability to work independently and with initiative while prioritizing multiple tasks.
• Physical Demands
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle, or feel, and is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee regularly is required to sit, walk, stand, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, climb or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move from 10-25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Additional Details: Recognizing there is leadership in every community, WMCAT is seeking candidates with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We are dedicated to hiring employees that reflect the communities we serve across race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and socioeconomic status. No person shall be excluded from WMCAT services, employment or volunteer participation because of ethnicity, race, national origin, age, height, weight, genetic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, economic circumstance, veteran status, physical and/or mental abilities/characteristics, philosophy/religion, or any other status that is protected by State of Michigan or federal law or by local ordinance for those jurisdictions where WMCAT operates.
• WMCAT’s Values
• Design for Equity: Creating a world that works for all of us. Rooted in an understanding that systemic oppression is perpetuated by design, we center marginalized voices, consciously co-create solutions, and challenge unjust systems to provide equitable access to opportunity.
• Pursue Learning: Engaging the experiences and expertise around us. Acknowledging that we never “arrive” in our understanding, we engage each other, ourselves, and our community with curiosity and appreciation for diverse lived experiences, seeking out new ideas, more robust context, and opportunities for growth.
• Build Community: Curating belonging for collective good. Grounded in the belief that our humanity, prosperity and futures are interconnected, we intentionally create space for belonging, build authentic relationships, seek partnership in our collective work, and respect our shared context.
• Center People: Leading with empathy. Guided by the mindsets of equitable human-centered design, we seek the perspectives of and create solutions with those most affected, embracing the inherent value of each individual and prioritizing whole-person thriving.
• In-person, full-time at WMCAT: This position is in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The candidate should be comfortable working in person. WMCAT's regular open to the public office hours are Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. This position could include some evenings and weekends related to events.
• Transportation: Consistent personal transportation will be necessary.