Upena Pili Program Manager

Primary Purpose:

Lead the ongoing implementation, coordination, and continuous improvement of Kīʻapu’s land-preparation services within ʻUpena Pili. Supervise and support staff who provide culturally grounded pathways, wellness supports, cultural learning, events, and data systems that equip ʻōpio furthest from opportunity to navigate their own lives and thrive in learning, work, and life.

Essential Duties:

Program Leadership and Implementation

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Kīʻapu’s land-preparation services in alignment with the ʻUpena Pili North Star, ancestral wayfinding model, grant requirements, and organizational priorities;

• Translate program goals into actionable project plans and work plans, including milestones, timelines, staff assignments, and coordinated opportunities for ʻōpio;

• Provide oversight and alignment across Kīʻapu’s pathway, wellness, cultural, data, and event functions to ensure coordinated support for ʻōpio;

• Partner closely with the Lead Navigator and other ʻUpena Pili youth Program Managers to align program supports, referrals, crew experiences, seminars, and opportunities with the individualized journeys of ʻōpio and strengthen coordination across programs;

• Apply strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and effective task management to monitor implementation, respond to uncertainty, and course correct when needed.

Staff Leadership and Development

• Supervise, mentor, train, and support staff responsible for Kīʻapu’s pathway, wellness, cultural, data, and event functions;

• Conduct regular team meetings, individual check-ins, coaching, performance feedback, and coordinated planning;

• Set clear expectations and ensure staff follow PIDF policies, procedures, grant requirements, and standards of professional conduct;

• Cultivate a youth-centered, healing-centered, culturally nourishing team environment where staff collaborate, communicate openly, and remain focused on meaningful impact;

• Model the Navigator's Mindset through integrity, self-awareness, composure, adaptability, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn and try new approaches;

• Recognize and cultivate the gifts of staff while providing coaching that supports accountability, professional growth, and continued development.

Partnership and Opportunity Development

• Use active listening, relationship-building, advocacy, and conflict-management skills to develop and maintain productive partnerships with schools, training providers, employers, health and wellness providers, cultural practitioners, and community organizations;

• Build and coordinate educational, workforce, cultural, wellness, service-learning, and skill-building opportunities that respond to the interests and goals of ʻōpio;

• Oversee partner agreements and contracted services assigned to Kīʻapu, including deliverables, communication, documentation, and service quality;

• Represent Kīʻapu and ʻUpena Pili at meetings, community events, and collaborative planning sessions.

Grant, Fiscal, and Operational Management

• Monitor grant deliverables, program outputs, timelines, expenditures, and compliance requirements in coordination with the ʻUpena Pili Director and administrative and fiscal staff; 

• Support budget development, purchasing, resource allocation, and fiscal monitoring to ensure program resources are used appropriately and effectively;

• Prepare and submit accurate program reports, dashboards, supporting documentation, and other required materials by established deadlines;

• Contribute to grant development, continuation proposals, program narratives, and other funding activities as assigned;

• Ensure program activities, events, travel, supplies, participant supports, and contracted services are planned and coordinated effectively.

Data, Learning, and Continuous Improvement

• Use quantitative data, participant feedback, staff insight, and stories from ʻōpio to monitor progress and guide program decisions;

• Coordinate with the Data & Events Coordinator, evaluation partners, and PIDF leadership to maintain timely, accurate, and useful program information;

• Share program progress, challenges, lessons learned, and recommended adjustments with the ʻUpena Pili Director and other stakeholders;

• Promote continuous learning and improvement across Kīʻapu while protecting participant privacy and confidentiality.

Other Duties:

• Support ʻUpena Pili and Kīʻapu events, trainings, retreats, and community activities;

• Participate in manager meetings and organization-wide activities as assigned;

• Other duties as assigned.

Work Hours:

• Generally 40+ hours per week, Monday through Friday, or as otherwise determined by management;

• Flexibility to adjust schedules for participant, family, partner, training, event, evening, or occasional weekend needs is required;

• Position requires regular and predictable attendance.

Working Conditions:

• Hybrid work model with work conducted in office, remote, school, community, and program settings;

• Frequent travel to program, participant, partner, and event locations on Oʻahu and Molokaʻi;

• Travel to the continental U.S. may be required.

Equipment Use:

May include use of vehicles (company and personal), computers and other electronics, office equipment, site equipment, and facility equipment.

Mental, Physical, and Communication Demands:

Mental

• Consistent adherence to Partners In Development Foundation's five core values as a guiding force in the success of all programs;

• Ability to lead through change and uncertainty, manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and adapt or course correct as conditions change;

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately;

• Demonstrated commitment to mission-focused, youth-centered, healing-centered, culturally nourishing, equitable, and inclusive practice;

• Ability to serve as a composed co-regulator who is positive, self-aware, coachable, and accountable for quality and results;

• Take responsibility and ownership for successfully accomplishing work and the organization’s objectives and delivering results. Set high standards of shared performance for self and others;

• Foster a respectful environment while supporting fair treatment and opportunity for all colleagues, partners, and communities;

• Ensure work is thoughtfully completed, accurate, and error-free to the highest degree possible.

Physical

• Ability to frequently travel to various sites on Oʻahu and Molokaʻi;

• Must be able to sit and work on a computer or participate in meetings during the workday;

• Ability to lift and carry supplies up to 25 lbs; 

• Outdoors: exposure to sun, wind, dust, animal dander, and other environmental conditions;

• Indoors: exposure to normal office, school, community, and program environments.

Communication

• Exhibit a courteous and professional demeanor toward ʻōpio, families, staff, administration, and partners through verbal, written, physical, and electronic correspondence;

• Strong facilitation, public speaking, interpersonal, and written communication skills;

• Ability to listen actively, communicate expectations, provide constructive feedback, advocate effectively, manage conflict, and build trust across diverse teams and communities.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

Education

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, education, sociology, counseling, public health, criminal justice, management, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in program or project management, youth development, education, workforce development, human services, or a related field;

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience supervising or managing staff;

• Demonstrated experience developing partnerships and coordinating services, programs, events, or opportunities across multiple organizations;

• Experience managing grant deliverables, budgets, contracts, reporting, data, and project timelines;

• Knowledge of positive youth development, trauma-informed or healing-centered practice, and the systems affecting opportunity and systems-involved youth;

• Strong organizational, strategic planning, problem-solving, conflict management, and task-management skills;

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, email, internet research, data systems, and virtual meeting platforms.

Driving

• Must have access to a vehicle, a valid driver's license, a safe and responsible driving record, and current no-fault auto insurance with at least $100,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $25,000 in property damage liability.

Preferred

• Master's degree in social work, psychology, education, sociology, counseling, public health, criminal justice, management, or a related field;

• Knowledge of Native Hawaiian culture, values, language, and community dynamics;

• Experience working with opportunity youth or youth involved in education, child welfare, juvenile justice, behavioral health, or workforce systems;

• Experience with program evaluation, continuous improvement, and participant data systems.