Program Manager

Program Manager

Soul Friends, Inc.

Position Summary

Soul Friends, Inc. is seeking a passionate, organized, and mission-driven Program Manager to oversee the daily operations of our growing animal-assisted mental health and humane education programs. This position is responsible for coordinating clinical and educational programming, supporting strategic initiatives, ensuring quality program implementation, preparing grant reports, and assisting with organizational administration. Working collaboratively with the acting executive director, founder emeritus, clinical staff, volunteers, and community partners, the program manager helps advance Soul Friends, Inc.'s mission to promote healing through the human-animal bond while upholding the highest standards of participant care and animal welfare.

This position offers an exceptional opportunity for professional growth within an innovative nonprofit organization recognized nationally for excellence in animal-assisted mental health services.

Reports To: Acting Executive Director

Employment Status: Part-Time (20–24 hours/week)

Compensation: $24.00–$27.00 per hour, based on experience

Schedule: Hybrid position with one remote workday per week following orientation.

Employment Classification: Anticipated six-month contract with opportunity for transition into a permanent position based on performance, organizational needs, and funding availability.

Email: cover letter and resume to ***email_hidden***, subject line: program manager

Primary ResponsibilitiesProgram Leadership and Operations

• Provide day-to-day oversight of Soul Friends' clinical, educational, and community outreach programs.
• Coordinate program scheduling, staffing, participant enrollment, and operational logistics.
• Monitor program quality and ensure services are delivered consistently with organizational policies and best practices.
• Support implementation of evidence-informed and trauma-responsive programming.
• Collaborate with clinicians and volunteers to ensure smooth program operations.
• Assist with the development of new programs and the expansion of existing services.

Strategic Planning and Organizational Development

• Participate in strategic planning initiatives to support organizational growth.
• Assist with implementation of annual organizational goals and priorities.
• Identify opportunities for community partnerships and collaborative programming.
• Support continuous quality improvement and program evaluation activities.
• Assist in developing systems that improve organizational efficiency and sustainability.

Grant Administration and Reporting

• Coordinate data collection for grant-funded programs.
• Prepare grant reports and outcome summaries for foundation and government funders.
• Maintain accurate program statistics and evaluation data.
• Collaborate with leadership on grant implementation and compliance.
• Assist with preparing supporting materials for grant proposals and funding requests.

Administrative and Organizational Support

• Maintain program documentation and organizational records.
• Support onboarding of interns, volunteers, and new staff.
• Assist with meeting preparation, board materials, and organizational communications.
• Coordinate calendars, program logistics, and internal communications.
• Maintain policies, procedures, and operational documents.
• Support accreditation, quality assurance, and risk management initiatives.

Community Relations

• Represent Soul Friends professionally within the community.
• Foster collaborative relationships with referral partners, universities, schools, and community organizations.
• Assist with outreach events, presentations, and public education efforts.
• Promote the mission and values of Soul Friends in all professional interactions.

Animal Welfare and Program Safety

• Uphold Soul Friends' commitment to ethical, trauma-informed, and welfare-centered animal-assisted services.
• Assist in ensuring the safety and well-being of participants, volunteers, staff, and therapy animals.
• Support implementation of organizational policies related to risk management and participant safety.

QualificationsRequired

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a related human services field.
• Minimum two years of experience in nonprofit, behavioral health, education, or human services.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and cloud-based organizational systems.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based practice.

Preferred

• Master's degree in Social Work or a related field.
• Experience with nonprofit administration.
• Experience coordinating grants or program evaluation.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and animal-assisted services.
• Experience supervising volunteers or interns.
• Familiarity with behavioral health documentation and quality improvement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
• Strong leadership and collaborative skills.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Professional writing skills for reports and grant documentation.
• Initiative, flexibility, and creativity.
• Ability to build positive relationships with staff, volunteers, community partners, and funders.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging.
• Passion for the healing benefits of the human-animal bond.

Professional Growth Opportunity: Soul Friends, Inc. is committed to developing future nonprofit leaders and advancing the careers of talented professionals. Soul Friends, Inc. has a strong commitment to diversifying the field of animal-assisted services. Following successful completion of the initial six-month contract, the program manager may be considered for expanded leadership responsibilities, increased hours, and advancement opportunities based on organizational growth, performance, and available funding. Candidates who hold a Master of Social Work ( MSW ) or an equivalent clinical degree and are eligible to provide behavioral health services may also have the opportunity to develop a clinical caseload within Soul Friends' innovative animal-assisted services mental health programs. As clinical responsibilities expand, the position may transition to full-time employment with an hourly compensation rate commensurate with clinical responsibilities, licensure, and experience. The program manager will receive mentorship from the acting executive director and founder emeritus in nonprofit leadership, program development, grant administration, strategic planning, and organizational management, creating a unique pathway for both administrative and clinical career advancement.

Why Join Soul Friends?

For more than 23 years, Soul Friends has been a recognized leader in animal-assisted mental health services, serving more than 10,000 children, adults, families, first responders, and veterans throughout Connecticut. We value innovation, collaboration, compassion, scientific inquiry, and the ethical treatment of both people and animals. Our team is dedicated to transforming lives through evidence-informed, trauma-responsive programs grounded in the healing power of the human-animal bond.