Job Description

LEVEL GROUND MMA PROGRAM MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION

LEVEL GROUND MMA IS A 501 (C)3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING URBAN YOUTH THROUGH ATHLETICS, ACADEMICS, AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. WE USE MARTIAL ARTS AS A VEHICLE TO CREATE POSITIVE, SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR STUDENTS, AS WELL AS TEACH KEY VALUES SUCH AS PERSISTENCE AND DETERMINATION. AS A PROGRAM MANAGER, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR SUMMER AND YEAR-LONG STUDENT TRAINER PROGRAMS, MANAGEMENT OF INTERNAL STUDENT TRAINERS AND EXTERNAL VOLUNTEER TUTORS AND STUDENT TRAINER MENTORS, AND STEWARDSHIP OF KEY ACADEMIC PROGRAM PARTNERS. 

ABOUT LEVEL GROUND MMA

FOUNDED IN 2013, LEVEL GROUND LEVERAGES TRAINING IN MARTIAL ARTS AND YOGA TO CREATE A POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUTH IN AN ENGAGING AND FUN FASHION. OUR PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTORS USE THE SPORT TO ESPOUSE THE FOLLOWING VALUES: DISCIPLINE, RESPECT, HUMILITY, TENACITY AND SELF-CONTROL. THROUGH THE GUIDANCE OF CARING INSTRUCTORS, STUDENTS LEARN THAT TRAINING IS MORE THAN PHYSICAL; THAT MENTAL DISCIPLINE AND PERSISTENCE ARE KEY TO REFINE PHYSICAL TECHNIQUES. THESE MENTAL/EMOTIONAL LESSONS ARE TRANSFERABLE TO OUR STUDENTS’ GROWTH OFF OF THE MAT. OUR YOGA PROGRAM INCORPORATES TEACHINGS ON MINDFULNESS AND PROVIDES YOUTH WITH ADDITIONAL TOOLS TO MANAGE STRESS.

LEVEL GROUND’S VISION IS TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND BOSTON’S MOST VULNERABLE YOUTH THROUGH AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH OF MEANINGFUL LONGITUDINAL EMPLOYMENT AND POST-SECONDARY OPPORTUNITIES. OUR YOUTH-MANAGED TRAINING CENTER IN DORCHESTER INCLUDES TWO ATHLETIC AREAS FOR MARTIAL ARTS, YOGA, AND PERSONAL TRAINING, AND AN ACADEMIC AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER. THE MAJORITY OF OUR STAFF ARE THE YOUTH WE SERVE THROUGH OUR YOUTH-EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM. THESE ‘STUDENT TRAINERS’ ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL ASPECTS OF GYM MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS, ADMINISTRATION, AND SERVE AS PERSONAL TRAINERS AND MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTORS. IN 2020, THE LEVEL GROUND STUDENT TRAINER PROGRAM OFFERS 30 YOUTH THE OPPORTUNITY TO:

• ENTER COLLEGE THROUGH THE COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAM

• RECEIVE TECHNICAL TRAINING IN THE FITNESS AND WELLNESS INDUSTRIES, WITH OPTIONS TO PURSUE NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS (E.G. CERTIFICATION IN PERSONAL TRAINING THROUGH THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SPORTS MEDICINE);

• APPLY SOFT, HARD, AND TECHNICAL SKILLS AT LEVEL GROUND FOR ONE YEAR, WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT AT LEVEL GROUND OR ONE OF OUR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERS;

• DEVELOP TRANSFERABLE SKILLS IN AREAS OF LEADERSHIP, COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION, AND DISCIPLINE ESSENTIAL TO COMPETE IN THE 21ST CENTURY, KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY THAT MAY BE APPLIED TO FUTURE EMPLOYMENT WITHIN OR OUTSIDE OF THE FITNESS AND WELLNESS INDUSTRIES; AND,

• ENGAGE IN SERVICES LEADING TO RELIABLE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

POSITION SUMMARY

LEVEL GROUND MMA IS SEEKING AN EAGER AND FLEXIBLE INDIVIDUAL TO FIT INTO OUR GYM CULTURE AS OUR NEW PROGRAM MANAGER. AS A PROGRAM MANAGER AT LEVEL GROUND MMA, YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO BE ADAPTIVE TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY DEVELOPING OUR PROGRAM. YOU WILL BE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE: 

• DEVELOPMENT OF THE STUDENT TRAINER AND COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAMS,

• MAINTENANCE OF STUDENT, INTERNAL STAFF, AND EXTERNAL-PARTNER RELATIONSHIPS, 

• SUPERVISION OF DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS AT THE TRAINING CENTER IN DORCHESTER.

TOGETHER WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE PROGRAM MANAGER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERALL MANAGEMENT OF PROGRAMMING AND OPERATIONS FOR THE ENTIRE ORGANIZATION AND WILL REPORT TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

DETAILED ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

STUDENT TRAINER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES

THE LEVEL GROUND STUDENT TRAINER PROGRAM IS A PAID EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES A CAREER PATHWAY AS A FITNESS PROFESSIONAL, PARTICULARLY AS GYM MANAGERS, PERSONAL TRAINERS, AND FITNESS INSTRUCTORS. STUDENT TRAINERS LEARN TO TRAIN CLIENTS, RUN FITNESS CLASSES, AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS BY THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SPORTS MEDICINE. LEVEL GROUND HELPS YOUTH TRANSITION TO INTERNSHIPS AND JOBS WITH BOSTON-BASED GYMS. AS PROGRAM MANAGER, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPPORTING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN DEVELOPING, COORDINATING, AND EXECUTING THE SUMMER AND YEAR-LONG STUDENT TRAINER PROGRAMS. THIS INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO:

• MAINTAINING CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PROGRAM FACILITATORS, STUDENTS, AND STAFF OF LEVEL GROUND MMA

  • WEEKLY/BI-WEEKLY 1:1’S WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO RECAP STUDENT DEVELOPMENT, PROGRAM OPERATION, PROVIDE/RECEIVE FEEDBACK REGARDING MANAGEMENT/OPERATIONS ETC.

  • BI-WEEKLY/TRI-WEEKLY 1:1’S WITH PROGRAM FACILITATORS [INTERNAL AND CONTRACTED] TO RECAP STUDENT DEVELOPMENT, PROVIDE/RECEIVE FEEDBACK REGARDING PROGRAM OPERATIONS, PROVIDE/RECEIVE FEEDBACK REGARDING FACILITATION, ETC.

  • QUARTERLY 1:1’S WITH YEAR-LONG STUDENT TRAINERS TO RECAP STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND PROVIDE/RECEIVE FEEDBACK ABOUT PROGRAM/FACILITATOR OPERATIONS, ETC.

   

• MANAGING CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT FOR SUMMER AND YEAR-LONG PROGRAMS

  • SUPPORTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FITNESS, NUTRITION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, POST-SECONDARY DEVELOPMENT, CAPSTONE PROJECT [SUMMER PROGRAM], AND/OR FITNESS PROFESSION TRACK [YEAR-LONG PROGRAM] MODULES THROUGH EITHER

    • DEVELOPING AND DELIVERING CURRICULUM YOURSELF

    • COORDINATING AND SUPPORTING CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT BY CONTRACTED PROGRAM FACILITATOR

  • CREATING AND REVISING STUDENT TRAINER HANDBOOKS FOR THE PROGRAM

  • DEVELOPING GUIDELINES FOR CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND EXECUTION

  • CREATING TRACKING AND EVALUATION SYSTEMS FOR THE PROGRAM

  • DEVELOPING JOB DESCRIPTIONS/OUTLINE FOR CONTRACTED PROGRAM FACILITATORS

• ORGANIZING, COMMUNICATING, AND COORDINATING SCHEDULES WITH GUEST SPEAKERS, CONTRACTED FACILITATORS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND COLLEGE ADMISSIONS COUNSELORS.

  • SENDING INTRODUCTORY AND FOLLOW-UP EMAILS TO SPEAKERS REMINDING AND THANKING THEM FOR THEIR TIME

  • ENSURING THAT SPEAKERS KNOW WHAT THEMES THEY ARE ADDRESSING

  • MAINTAINING CONNECTIONS WITH GUEST SPEAKERS AFTER THE PROGRAM ENDS TO ENSURE STEWARDSHIP

  • FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH ANY ASSESSMENTS THAT MAY COME FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

• IMPLEMENTING AND EXECUTING MID-PROGRAM AND END-OF-YEAR EVALUATIONS FOR STUDENT TRAINERS.

  • DEVELOPING AN EVALUATION COMPLIANT WITH THE MASSWORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA

  • INTERVIEWING INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS ALONGSIDE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • COMPILING AND ANALYZING DATA FROM EVALUATION FOR GRANT WRITING PURPOSES

• MAINTAINING AND ADMINISTERING PROGRAM BUDGETS

COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES

THE COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAM PROVIDES ALL YOUTH [BOTH STUDENT TRAINER AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS] ACADEMIC SUPPORT. AS PROGRAM MANAGER, YOU WILL BE OVERSEEING OUR ACADEMIC AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS. THIS ASPECT OF THE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT POSITION IS IN NEED OF MAJOR DEVELOPMENT AND IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A HAND IN SHAPING A CRUCIAL PART OF LEVEL GROUND MMA’S MISSION.

THE ACADEMICS PROGRAM OFFERS FREE WEEKLY ACADEMIC TUTORING, GUIDANCE THROUGH THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS, AND SUPPORT WITH TRANSITIONING FROM SECONDARY EDUCATION TO HIGHER EDUCATION. THE PROGRAM IS OPEN TO ALL YOUTHS IN THE BOSTON COMMUNITY AND SERVES AS A SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR THE EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT OF THE STUDENT TRAINER PROGRAM. OUR ACADEMICS PROGRAM INCLUDES THE SUBJECT TUTORING PROGRAM AND THE COLLEGE PREPAREDNESS AND GUIDANCE [CPCG] PROGRAM. FOR THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM, RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: 

• DIRECTLY SUPERVISING VOLUNTEER CPCG TUTORS AND SUBJECT TUTORS 

• DEVELOPING PROGRAM LOGISTICS

• RECRUITING VOLUNTEER TUTORS

• COORDINATING TUTORING SCHEDULES

• MAINTAINING RECORDS OF STUDENT PROGRESS

• DEVELOPING NEW AND MAINTAINING CURRENT PARTNERSHIPS WITH ACCREDITED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND ACADEMIC-FOCUSED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

• COORDINATING MANDATORY MONTHLY MEETINGS WITH TUTORS

• EQUIPPING TUTORS WITH NECESSARY RESOURCES

• QUANTIFYING PROGRESS OF THE TUTORING PROGRAM FOR GRANT-WRITING PURPOSES

THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY ONLY BEING OFFERED TO OUR STUDENT TRAINERS AND IS THE LEAST DEVELOPED ASPECT OF THE COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAM. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, WE HOPE TO PROVIDE OUR STUDENT TRAINERS WITH A PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL MENTOR WHO WILL PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN ACHIEVING THE MENTEE’S POTENTIAL AND DISCOVER THEIR STRENGTHS. THE MENTOR'S MAIN PURPOSE IS TO HELP ALL LEVEL GROUNDS MENTEE DEFINE INDIVIDUAL AND PROFESSIONAL GOALS AND MAP OUT A PATH TO ACHIEVE THEM, WHILE EXPOSING THE MENTEE TO FUN ACTIVITIES AND NEW EXPERIENCES. FOR THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM, RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• DEVELOPING PROGRAM LOGISTICS 

• COORDINATING MATCHING OF MENTEES

• RECRUITING MENTORS

• COORDINATING MANDATORY MONTHLY MEETINGS WITH MENTORS

• ARCHIVING NEEDS AND PROGRESS OF MENTOR-MENTEE RELATIONSHIPS

• EQUIPPING MENTORS WITH NECESSARY RESOURCES 

• QUANTIFYING PROGRESS OF THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR GRANT-WRITING PURPOSES

TRAINING CENTER MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

IN ADDITION TO PROGRAM COORDINATION, THE PROGRAM MANAGER WILL ALSO BE EXPECTED TO HELP MANAGE DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE PHYSICAL TRAINING CENTER. RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• DIRECTLY SUPERVISING STUDENT TRAINERS IN THE TRAINING CENTER.

  • TRANSITIONING STUDENT TRAINERS FROM “INSTRUCTION MINDSET” TO “GYM-MANAGEMENT/FITNESS PROFESSION” MINDSET

  • TRANSITIONING PHYSICAL SPACE FROM “INSTRUCTION” TO “GYM” 

  • ENFORCING DELEGATED CLEANING AND GYM MAINTENANCE TASKS TO STUDENT TRAINERS

• OVERSEES GYM OPERATIONS ALONGSIDE YOUTH GYM MANAGERS, INCLUDING CLIENT MANAGEMENT, OPENING AND CLOSING PROCEDURES, AND TIMELY PAYMENT OF INVOICES.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

LEVEL GROUND MMA IS SEEKING AN EMPATHETIC, ENTHUSIASTIC, ADAPTABLE, AND RESPONSIVE NEW MEMBER OF OUR TRIBE! 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• VALUES YOUTH ATHLETICS AS A PATHWAY AND POWERFUL DRIVER OF SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH.

• VALUES HONESTY, INTEGRITY, AND EMPATHY AS THE FABRIC OF ALL SUCCESSFUL SOCIAL VENTURES AND LIVES THAT VALUE.

• VALUES YOUTH DEVELOPMENT BEYOND TRADITIONAL EDUCATIONAL PIPELINES [I.E. ALTERNATIVES TO FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE].

• EXPERIENCE WITH BUILDING AND MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS WITH URBAN YOUTH AND YOUTHS OF COLOR.

• EXCELLENT ORGANIZATION SKILLS WITH THE ABILITY TO MANAGE MULTIPLE AND DIVERSE PROJECTS SIMULTANEOUSLY.

• EXCEL AT ANTICIPATORY AND EMPATHETIC MANAGEMENT AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING.

• WILLINGNESS TO GROW ALONGSIDE THE ORGANIZATION.

• KNOWLEDGE OF AND EXPERIENCE BUILDING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH BOSTON’S NONPROFIT, PHILANTHROPY, AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SECTORS.

• FAMILIARITY WITH EVALUATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF YOUTH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

• ABILITY TO DEVELOP AND ADMINISTER PROGRAM BUDGETS.

• PROFICIENCY WITH THE MICROSOFT OFFICE SUITE, GOOGLE DOCS, AND FAMILIARITY WITH COMMUNICATIONS PLATFORMS SUCH AS CONSTANT CONTACT OR MAIL CHIMP, PROGRAM DATABASES, DONOR DATABASES, AND WEBSITE CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS SUCH AS WORDPRESS.

• IMPECCABLE WRITTEN AND VERBAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS WITH A COMMAND OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

• ENTHUSIASM AND CURRENT PRACTICE IN SPORTS, ATHLETICS, AND/OR FITNESS.

• BACHELOR’S DEGREE OR EQUIVALENT WORK EXPERIENCE.

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• EXPERIENCE IN PRACTICING BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU, BOXING, KICKBOXING, YOGA, OR OTHER FORMS OF MARTIAL ARTS.

• PRIOR MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE IN AN EDUCATIONAL AND/OR FITNESS PROFESSIONAL SETTING.

• EXPERIENCE EXPANDING AND SCALING EDUCATIONAL OR ATHLETIC PROGRAMS WITHIN URBAN SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

• WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO LEVERAGE SOCIAL MEDIA TO INCREASE A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION'S VISIBILITY AND ENHANCE ITS PROFILE.

• EXPERIENCE WORKING IN MULTIRACIAL, MULTICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS.

• EXPERIENCE WITH QUANTIFYING QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DATA FOR GRANT-WRITING PURPOSES.

• HAS DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMUNITIES OF ROXBURY, DORCHESTER, AND MATTAPAN THROUGH FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE [LIVES OR HAS PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE IN THE COMMUNITY].

• BI/MULTILINGUAL WOULD BE BENEFICIAL IN THIS ROLE.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

THE PROGRAM MANAGER ROLE IS A FULL TIME POSITION, WITH A COMPETITIVE SALARY BASED ON EXPERIENCE [EXPECT ~$45-$55K WITH BENEFITS].

LEVEL GROUND MMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND ACTIVELY SEEKS A DIVERSE POOL OF QUALIFIED APPLICANTS FOR EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, CREED, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY AND EXPRESSION, AGE, DISABILITY, OR VIETNAM ERA, OR OTHER ELIGIBLE VETERAN STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PROTECTED FACTOR.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

PLEASE SUBMIT A RESUME AND COVER LETTER.

PLEASE INCLUDE A LIST OF 3 REFERENCES. OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL REFERENCE TO YOUTH(S) YOU HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH BEFORE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. LEVEL GROUND YOUTH LEADERS WILL ENGAGE IN THE INTERVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS.