Teen Programs Manager

New York, NY

The Sylvia Center(TSC)’s vision is to create healthy communities through the power of cooking. Our mission is to educate young people and families through culinary programming to promote health and well-being. Our organization empowers children and teens to take control of their health through better food choices and encourages them to be healthy food advocates in their communities.

TSC partners with community-based organizations, libraries, and schools to deliver nutrition-focused culinary programming in all five boroughs of New York City, the Hudson Valley, and the Capital District. TSC works in neighborhoods with limited food access, engaging students, 3-24 years old, and families. A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with an operating budget of $1.9 million, TSC has a full-time staff of ten and a part-time staff of approximately 35. Since its founding in 2007, more than 38,000 participants have been served.

The Sylvia Center is seeking a Teen Programs Manager to oversee all aspects of teen programming in NYC and work with the Education Director to strategize program growth and development. The Sylvia Center teen programs include Cooks for Health Teen, basic culinary and nutrition training for 14-24 year-olds, and our Teen Culinary Apprenticeship, including our core curriculum as well as experiences in teen teaching, food science (STEAM), food justice, and work-based learning. The Teen Program Manager will also continue building and engaging our teen alumni network. Key responsibilities include community partner relationships, program implementation and development, staff support and program administration. The Teen Programs manager should have a passion for food education, food justice, and food access.

Responsibilities:
Program Implementation:

  • Support, schedule, and train Chef Educators in all five NYC boroughs to deliver the program curriculum, which is aligned with NYS standards, with fidelity.

  • Procure, prepare, and organize all materials for programs, including but not limited to curriculum, equipment, and recipes.

  • Build and maintain relationships with community partners.

  • Strategize teen program growth and diversification with the support of the Education Programs Director.

  • Develop curriculum for new teen programming as needed.

  • Support consistent collection and follow-up of program evaluations.

  • Represent TSC at fundraising and community events and host potential donors and board members at classes.

Program Administration:

  • Facilitate program expenses and paperwork including, but not limited to, program fees and contracts, student waivers, and community partner subcontracts.

  • Ensure timely and accurate tracking of part-time staff hours and reimbursements.

  • Maintain organized and accurate inventory controls.

  • Organize and support part-time staff on administrative and programmatic materials in Google Drive.

  • Other duties, as assigned

Experience and Skills:
Preferred experience:

  • Minimum three years in youth and teen-focused education

  • Minimum of two years in direct service programming

  • Managing a small team of full- or part-time team members

  • Professional experience in culinary arts and/or hospitality

  • Professional experience in nutrition education

Required competencies:

  • Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively on assigned tasks

  • Detail oriented

  • Ability to effectively improvise and adapt to changing situations

  • Google Suite required, and Salesforce, preferred

Other requirements:

  • Passion for food education, food justice, and food access

  • Ability to lift 50 lbs and to stand on your feet for 5 hours at a time

Organization Benefits:

We are a diverse group of food-loving individuals who proudly support our mission of healthy food education. By joining our team, you will get:

  • An organization that believes and invests in employee growth, development, and success.

  • More than 70% of staff have been promoted to the next level of responsibility at our organization.

  • A generous time off package, including 15 vacation and 5 personal days, 11 holidays, sick leave, and a paid week off at the end of the calendar year.

  • Employee healthcare benefits with 80% employer contribution.

  • Free staff lunch when on-site at the Bronx office.

  • Opportunity to travel within New York City and to our organic farm in the Hudson Valley.

Compensation and Work Hours/Location:
The Sylvia Center offers competitive wages. This is an Exempt, full-year salaried position offering $62,500-65,000 based on experience. Business hours are flexible but are generally 9am-5pm Monday-Friday. Occasional evening and weekend work is required to support programmatic and organizational events. The position will be based in New York City. Ability to travel between program sites and the surrounding area is required. The position is hybrid work with one Bronx office day required biweekly.

To apply for this position:
Candidates should email their resume and a cover letter explaining why they think they can successfully fill this position for The Sylvia Center to info@sylviacenter.org. Please state the position and your last name in the email title.

The Sylvia Center is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, caste, tribe, age (40 or older), disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage you to apply if you meet some, but not all the required qualifications.

Full timeRachel Engel