Program Coordinator

Design for America (DFA) stewards a global network of student-led studios where young adults choose their own problems to pursue, take real risks, and develop the leadership potential to shape their communities and the world. 

An independent, national nonprofit, DFA supports and develops young adults as authors of their own futures: providing student-led, hands-on learning environments that build skills, relationships, and real-world experience. Over the next year, DFA is poised to grow internationally in collaboration with leading global nonprofit organizations.

DFA’s programs, partnerships, and studio communities are the heart of this work, and careful coordination ensures they thrive. The Program Coordinator will play a central role in supporting DFA's national community across digital and in-person spaces. The ideal candidate is collaborative and organized, with strong communication and planning skills, and eager to grow and support a mission-driven organization expanding its global reach.

Responsibilities

Program Support

• Support the planning and execution of key programmatic events, including national convenings, studio onboarding, and community-wide engagement moments

• Manage, track, and support studio members at both the local and national levels

• Support and onboard studio partners, advisors, and collaborators

• Track partner and membership data to ensure up-to-date records across email lists, website, and database

• Plan and execute webinars and virtual programming (coordinating with studios, sending reminders)

• Brainstorm ideas with the Program Director for continuous improvements to community programming and events

Community & Member Engagement

• Steward the day-to-day health, tone, and participation of Design for America's community across Slack and in-person touchpoints

• Serve as a primary member and studio support, responding to questions related to Slack navigation, curriculum use, and studio operations

• Administer and maintain the Salesforce database, ensuring accurate and up-to-date member, partner, and studio records

• Monitor key indicators of membership engagement and surface trends, gaps, or friction points to the National team

• Support the operational health of the Slack workspace, including channel structure, norms, and onboarding flows

• Ensure studios are operating within established participation standards and escalate concerns as needed

Communications & Platform Support

• Manage internal and external stakeholder support — ensure studio members, partners, applicants, and other inquiries receive timely and detailed responses

• Support community communication rhythms, including weekly and sometimes daily updates, timely announcements, and fielding responses

• Assist with membership portal rollout, verification, quality control, reminders, and testing

• Manage social platforms (e.g., Instagram, LinkedIn) and related digital presence

• Assist with Design for America inbox management

• Assist with informational and community webinars

• Procure supplies and program materials for the organization and its programs

• Additional operations roles as required
  

Qualifications

• Organized, proactive, and detailed planner

• Upholds high standards across all functions and tasks, large and small

• Meets deadlines and fast-tracks important projects when needed

• Excellent communicator — written, verbal, visual

• Responds well to feedback and seeks continuous improvement

• A team-player that finds fulfillment in helping colleagues and students thrive

• Deep interest in learning about and supporting diverse cultures and communities

• Excited to test and adopt new technologies that improve processes and increase impact

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Experience

• 1+ years of experience working in higher education administration and/or student-centered programs or communities

• 1+ years of experience working with CRM, CMS, and related operations systems

  • Slack and Salesforce experience preferred

• 1+ years of experience working with diverse stakeholders, including students, institutional partners, and service providers

• Bachelor’s Degree Required

  • BA in Marketing, Communications or related field preferred

  
  

Working Conditions

- This is a New York City metropolitan area-based position (hybrid)

- The Program Coordinator will work closely with the Design for America national team and Watson Foundation staff

- Occasional evening and weekend work required (e.g., monitoring support inquiries)

- Occasional travel to studio campuses, convenings, and program-related events

Contact

Please send inquiries, cover letter, and resume to jobs@designforamerica.com

For more information, please visit: designforamerica.org

Compensation

$56,000 - $66,000, plus excellent health, retirement, and professional development benefits.