About the Position

Innovative Poverty Solutions is seeking a Program Manager to lead implementation of VOIS Institute programming, with a primary focus on the VOIS Fellows Program and a portfolio of community-driven events across Northwest Arkansas. This role works closely with the Director of Public Engagement to plan and execute programs that develop community voice, strengthen leadership from the margins, and advance upstream solutions to barriers facing ALICE households (Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).

The Program Manager is responsible for the week-to-week execution of the VOIS Fellows Program, including program planning, curriculum refinement, leading weekly meetings, coaching Fellows in storytelling, and building strong, ongoing relationships with community partners. This role also supports the coordination, logistics, and execution of VOIS Institute events, such as Becoming Visible events and Co-Create workshops, ensuring programs are well-run, relationally grounded, and executed with excellence.

The ideal candidate is proactive, highly organized, and skilled at building trust-based relationships. They communicate clearly and thoughtfully, manage multiple priorities effectively, and thrive in an entrepreneurial, community-driven environment.

VOIS stands for Voices of Influence and Storytelling and is an initiative of Innovative Poverty Solutions that grew out of Circles NWA. VOIS builds on the Circles model by supporting individuals with lived experience of poverty and economic insecurity to develop their voice, share their stories, and participate in shaping community conversations and solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

VOIS Fellows Program

• Lead the week-to-week implementation of the VOIS Fellows Program, serving as the primary point of contact for Fellows and planning and facilitating weekly program meetings.

• Provide one-to-one coaching to Fellows in storytelling and public speaking, ensuring they feel prepared and confident to share their lived experience in public settings.

• Foster a supportive, inclusive cohort experience through consistent communication, check-ins, and follow-up with Fellows.

• Coordinate leadership opportunities, speaking engagements, and community connections that allow Fellows to share their stories and exercise influence.

• Track Fellow participation, engagement, and progress to support learning and evaluation.

VOIS Institute Convenings

• Work alongside the Director of Public Engagement to plan, coordinate, and execute VOIS Institute events, including Becoming Visible events and Co-Create workshops.

• Manage event logistics, timelines, materials, and on-the-ground coordination to ensure a strong participant experience.

• Maintain ongoing communication with community members participating in VOIS meetings and events.

• Collaborate with staff and partners to support smooth execution, clear communication, and follow-through.

• Support data collection, reporting, and evaluation related to VOIS Institute convenings.

Other Responsibilities

• Support the Director of Public Engagement with communications, advocacy, and broader community engagement efforts, as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of experience in program management, community engagement, advocacy, education, or a related field.

• Experience facilitating or supporting adult learners from marginalized communities.

• Strong organizational and administrative skills, with the ability to manage multiple moving parts of a community-driven program.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively and thoughtfully with diverse groups.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Strong time management skills and the ability to coordinate multiple concurrent projects.

• Required: Availability to work Wednesday evenings for VOIS Fellows programming.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with benefit cliffs, the ALICE population, and poverty-related challenges.

• Experience working with local government, advocacy organizations, or community-based coalitions.

• Experience with storytelling and familiarity with narrative change work.

• Proficiency with Google Workspace and Monday.com.