Spark the Journey

Program Manager

• Serve as the primary liaison between NOVA’s Woodbridge campus and Spark the Journey, maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with campus partners and Spark staff.
• Provide leadership in the development, implementation, and oversight of site-specific program goals, work plans, calendar, and communication in alignment with Spark’s overall program model.
• Collaborate with Spark’s Data and Systems team to build and improve systems to track program data and standardize case management processes.
• With the Program Data Manager, analyze progress toward program outcomes and make data-driven decisions to continually improve program impact and delivery.
• Manage a caseload of approximately 100 mentor–mentee pairs through regular check-ins, coordinated programming, and targeted support.
• Monitor mentee academic, social/emotional, and developmental progress and partner with mentors to address challenges by connecting them to resources.
• Provide regular feedback and insights to Spark’s curriculum and training team to strengthen workshops, coaching content, and resources.
• Support efforts to define and cultivate a culture that reflects Spark values, fosters innovation, and promotes collaboration and inclusivity.

Learning and Development

• Partner with the Curriculum and Training Manager to review, revise, and expand existing program content delivered and utilized by staff, mentors, and students
• Design and update curriculum resources such as mentor conversation guides, group session activities, and handouts aligned with program learning objectives
• Develop and adapt e-learning modules in the organization’s learning portal using Articulate Rise360
• Apply instructional design principles and adult learning theory to create interactive, accessible, and inclusive digital and print learning experiences
• Create assessments, knowledge checks, and reflection tools to evaluate understanding and program impact
• Research and incorporate evidence-based practices in youth development, mentoring, and college and career readiness into curriculum development
• Ensure all materials reflect culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and equity-centered approaches aligned with Spark’s mission.
• Assist in the development of online self-paced training courses for volunteer mentors
• Maintain and improve the online Mentor Onboarding experience
• Produce facilitator guides, slide decks, and supplemental resources to equip staff in delivering consistent, high quality coaching sessions
• Gather and analyze feedback from mentors, staff, and students to inform iterative improvements to curriculum and training offerings
• Manage assigned curriculum and training projects from concept to completion, meeting all deadlines
• Proactively communicate project status, deliverables, and any obstacles to the Curriculum & Training Manager
• Maintain organized systems for storing and retrieving curriculum documents
• Track project progress using shared tools and provide regular updates

Program Manager

Part-Time Curriculum and Training Coordinator