The CAFE' Group

Compensation

Full Description

Job Title: Manager, The 1954 Project Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid) Department: Impact Reports To: Director, The 1954 Project About The CAFE Group & The 1954 Project The CAFE Group is a nonprofit organization reimagining the architecture of philanthropy to support the people and institutions claiming a just future. We invest in leaders and organizations that are building a more equitable society, backing visionary talent through The 1954 Project and early-career changemakers through the LEAD Internship Program. Across generations and roles, we build networks that move with trust and shared purpose, fueled by our core belief that love is a strategy for lasting change. Named for the year of the Brown v. Board of Education decision, The 1954 Project is The CAFE Group's flagship initiative dedicated to fulfilling the promise of equitable education in the United States. We provide $1 million in unrestricted funding, organizational development, and a powerful community of support to leaders reshaping the present and future of education in Black communities. Position Overview We're seeking an exceptional Manager to drive the comprehensive execution of The 1954 Project. Reporting to the Director of The 1954 Project, you'll serve as the operational backbone that ensures the annual 1954 Project Luminary selection process, network building initiatives, capacity development programming, and strategic convenings run seamlessly and with excellence. This role is perfect for someone who thrives on complex program management while staying deeply connected to meaningful mission-driven work. You'll coordinate intricate processes across the organization, maintain responsive relationships with hundreds of visionary leaders, and directly contribute to building a network that's transforming educational equity. Your focus on thoughtful execution, collaborative coordination, and human-centered approaches will be essential to supporting the leaders who are changing education for Black students and communities. We're looking for someone who: Masters complex program and project management: You excel at orchestrating multi-phase, multi-stakeholder initiatives with numerous dependencies, keeping diverse teams aligned and engaged across extended timelines while maintaining meticulous attention to detail and operational excellence. Communicates with purpose: Your communication is strategic, clear, and warm-whether coordinating across internal teams, managing sensitive stakeholder conversations, providing responsive support to network members. Builds through collaboration: You are a team player and natural collaborator. You're good at working across teams and building systems that help everyone work at their best. Gets the details right: You have a keen eye for detail and take pride in accuracy, whether you're managing data, coordinating complex processes, or ensuring nothing falls through the cracks during intensive periods. Responsibilities This role encompasses three key areas that ensure operational excellence and strategic impact across the entire 1954 Project ecosystem: Luminary Award Application and Selection Process (50%) Identifying and investing in visionary leaders is how we catalyze systemic change through the 1954 Project. • Process Management: Lead the annual selection cycle from recruitment through final notifications, coordinating the three-round review process across teams and managing reviewer assignments, tracking, and training logistics. • Applicant Experience: Serve as primary contact for applicant inquiries and support, managing office hours and collaborating with Communications on guidance materials while ensuring all touchpoints reflect our love-centered approach through personalized responses, celebration of applicants' work, transparent communication, and care that extends beyond the selection decision. • Data & Systems: Own selection data management and documentation, coordinate with Knowledge team on scoring platform and data integrity, and support process improvements based on stakeholder feedback. Network Engagement and Capacity Support (25%) This is where individual brilliance becomes collective power-creating spaces where leaders expand their capabilities, share resources, wisdom, and joy while rewriting the narrative of what's possible for our communities. • Events & Convenings: Support the execution of network programming including the annual Network Summit, new Luminary retreat, and peer learning opportunities, managing logistics, vendor relationships, and participant experience in partnership with Communications. • Capacity Building: Manage operational logistics for all professional development programming including coaching relationships, training sessions, and consultant coordination, working closely with the Director to implement new capacity-building initiatives based on network member needs. • Network Communications: Maintain responsive communication with Luminaries throughout the year, facilitate connections between network members, and in partnership with the Director of The 1954 Project, develop and implement engagement strategies that enhance network cohesion and collective impact. Cross-Team Collaboration and Organizational Excellence (25%) This is organizational excellence in practice-leveraging data, documenting what works, and collaborating across teams to deliver seamless, exceptional support to our network. • Cross-Functional Partnership: In partnership with the Director of The 1954 Project, work across The CAFE Group departments to further 1954 Project efforts, including: supporting Development with program information for fundraising, partnering with Communications on external engagement, and coordinating with Finance and Legal on grant processing and compliance. This may include owning program logistics, data requests, process questions, scheduling, resource coordination, and answering routine network member needs. • Data & Systems Management: Own comprehensive 1954 Project data across all systems, maintain clean Salesforce records, coordinate workflows in Asana, and develop tracking systems that support accurate reporting and cross-team accountability. • Process Excellence: Document best practices and SOPs, identify operational improvements, manage all 1954 Project communication channels, and provide flexible support for special initiatives while maintaining high standards across all program touchpoints. Qualifications The ideal candidate will have: • Bachelor's Degree required • 4-6 years of experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs • Track record of managing selection processes with 100+ applicants • Experience supporting BIPOC leaders or education-focused initiatives • 2+ years of demonstrated success leading and/or creating professional development programs with education leaders in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion • Expert proficiency in project management platforms (Asana strongly preferred) • Experience with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and data management • Strong written and verbal communication skills • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment • Strong relationship building skills and the ability to inspire and influence others to achieve outcomes by building relationships and networks • Experience engaging with high-level stakeholders, both internal and external • Proven ability to maintain relationships with 50+ stakeholders simultaneously • Experience organizing and managing cross-team projects simultaneously, with effective upward and lateral management • Ability to coordinate and support the delivery of virtual and in-person capacity building experiences Compensation and Benefits The successful candidate will earn $90,000-$95,000 depending on experience. The CAFE Group offers a generous benefit package including medical, dental, vision, matched 401(k) retirement savings plan, 15 paid time off days per year, a hybrid work environment, a $1,500/year professional development benefit, a monthly cell phone allowance, and 11 company holidays per year. The CAFE Group is a safe space for all, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, country of origin, religion, or ability. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. The CAFE Group is a 501(c)3 and an Equal Opportunity Employer that strives to have a diverse team representative of the community it serves.