Manager of Programs & School Advocacy

About Horton’s Kids

Horton's Kids is a community-based organization committed to driving positive change for over 600 children and families in Southeast DC by providing comprehensive academic, social-emotional, health, and wellness support. Our organization is deeply rooted in the communities we serve.

We partner with communities in Southeast DC, where children and families with immense potential face the daily reality of historical disinvestment and systemic racism. Our approach involves working directly with families to access resources and services to overcome unjust obstacles and reach their full potential.

Horton's Kids operates three Community Resource Centers, each playing a vital role in our mission. At the heart of our operations is Horton's Kids Community Resource Hub or “Horton's Hub”, serving as our largest location and headquarters. This multifunctional space serves as both our administrative offices and the central hub for our programming and distribution efforts.

Job Summary:

The Manager of Programs & School Advocacy is a strategic leader responsible for overseeing the design, coordination, and implementation of academic programming at Horton’s Kids. This role ensures that curriculum plans across all grade bands are cohesive, engaging, and ready for delivery.

They will lead efforts to bridge gaps between families, schools, and Horton’s Kids, advocate for participants' academic success, and manage the flow of communication related to academic progress. The manager directly supervises the Education Lead and Program Leads, guiding their work to ensure consistent, high-quality programming across sites.

Key Responsibilities:

Academic Strategy & Curriculum Leadership

• Design and manage an academic strategy that supports skill development, grade-level alignment, and individualized participant progress.
• Ensure curriculum resources, pacing guides, and materials are fully developed and accessible for implementation.
• Train and support Program Leads in academic structure, instructional best practices, and behavior/classroom management.
• Oversee enrichment integration and ensure a balance of academic rigor and participant engagement.
• Continuously assess and refine curriculum based on youth feedback, assessments, and performance outcomes

Management & Collaboration

• Supervise and coach the Program Leads to ensure strong site-level leadership and consistent academic delivery.
• Guide the Program Leads in managing instructional staff, volunteers, and daily programming logistics.
• Foster a collaborative culture among staff that prioritizes participant success, accountability, and innovation.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, and training of program staff with a focus on academic implementation and youth development.
• Coach, observe, and oversee the support of curriculum and instruction at programs.
• Act as the head of Elementary programs

School Advocacy & Relationship Building

• Build strong relationships with school-based staff, administrators, and partners to advocate for participant needs and share critical information.
• Act as a liaison between schools and families, ensuring participant receive needed support (academic plans, interventions, IEP/504 accommodations, etc.).
• Monitor and support participant matriculation, school attendance, and re-enrollment, especially during key transition years.
• Educate and empower caregivers to support their children’s learning and navigate school-related processes confidently.

Data & Progress Monitoring

• Develop a clear system for gathering and analyzing academic data, including internal assessments and school-reported data.
• Collaborate with program staff to translate data into meaningful interventions and instructional adjustments.
• Lead the creation and distribution of quarterly progress reports to families and ensure transparent communication of academic progress.
• Maintain accurate records to track participant participation, academic growth, and program impact.

Benefits

Horton’s Kids offers a generous benefits package including vacation hours, holiday breaks, sick time, parental leave, flexible hours and telework options, 3% employer-matched retirement, mobile phone allowance, health & wellness benefit, employer-paid health benefits, vision and dental, and more.

Remote Work Opportunity

The Horton’s Kids Community and Family Programs Team is currently based at our Community Resource Centers Monday through Thursday, with remote work on Fridays.

To Apply

Apply on our website with your resume and cover letter. For more information, please see www.hortonskids.org.

Any offers made to candidates will be contingent upon undergoing standard screening requirements including FBI background check, DC background check, and Child Protection Register check. Must be 18 or older to apply. Horton’s Kids, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.