Creative Youth Programs Manager

MANAGER OF CREATIVE CAREER PROGRAMS AND ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

What We Do

Sitar Arts Center engages DC youth, from early childhood to young adulthood, in building a creative community of learning and belonging that removes financial and cultural barriers to arts education and career training.  We envision a city in which all young people experience transformative moments through quality, accessible arts education and career training and are supported on their path to discover their creativity and achieve their full potential.

At Sitar Arts Center, students engage in affordable, high-quality education and workforce development in the visual, digital, and performing arts. Each semester, 80% of students are from Washington DC households at 60% or less of the area median income. Programs take place year-round during out-of-school time in Sitar's state-of-the-art facilities, which feature an 85-seat theater, visual and digital art studios, a dark room, dance studios, and private and ensemble instrumental music studios.

Located in the vibrant Adams Morgan neighborhood, Sitar's community includes youth from every ward in DC. Across the year, up to 900 students engage in high quality classes including instrumental music, ballet and hip-hop dance, acting and musical theater, digital photography and filmmaking, and more. Each summer children from K- 8th grade enjoy our full day, 6-week Camp Sitar and teens enroll in summer workforce development programs.

Your Compensation   

Annual salary is commensurate with experience, ranging from $63,535 to $65,164.   

Your starting salary will be directly linked to your level of experience and expertise. Sitar values a transparent and equitable pay structure. In our compensation structure, the upper end of this salary range qualifies a candidate for a manager title and requires demonstrating professional experience and success across all key qualifications.

When and Where You'll Work

The Creative Career Programs Manager is a hybrid in-person and remote role. Most workdays will be in-person at Sitar Arts Center, located in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC. Remote options will be available after you finish your probation period. You will also attend periodic evening and Saturday events, such as the annual gala, special events, and student showcases and performances. 

Who You Are   

You’re a thoughtful, values-driven leader who brings both empathy and decisiveness to your work. You are motivated by meaningful work with young people and a deep belief in the power of creative career pathways. You’re drawn to Sitar not just for the role, but for the mission.

You bring experience managing programs, people, and partnerships, and you balance strategic thinking with strong operational execution. You’re comfortable overseeing program logistics, data tracking, contracts, and timelines, and you understand how strong systems support high-quality youth outcomes.

You lead with care, clarity, and accountability, and you’re comfortable making decisions, setting priorities, and holding programs to high standards. You’re skilled at communicating across differences, guiding young people and adult stakeholders, setting clear expectations in professional settings, and fostering collaborative, inclusive environments where participants feel supported and heard.

Key Qualifications and Experience  

• 2+ years of experience managing programs, operations, or administrative systems in youth development, workforce development, arts, or nonprofit settings


• Experience supervising staff, interns, or program participants and supporting professional growth


• Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and program management or data-tracking tools, with a focus on improving systems and processes
  

Requirements 

• Background check and TB test


• Ability to work in person, plus some evenings and Saturdays for community events.

What We’ll Take Care of For You   

We’ll do our best to take care of you so that you can take care of our children and youth.   

1. Medical Benefits: 100% employer paid medical and vision insurance plans, voluntary employee-paid dental plan


2. Paid Leave: Unlimited Flex Leave, paid weeklong semester breaks, paid holidays, parental leave, sabbatical policy


3. Wellness & Professional Development: Remote work options, Annual Professional Development and Wellness fund, and professional development opportunities


4. Financial: Simple IRA for retirement, flexible spending account 


5. Disability and Insurance: Short-term disability, long-term disability (LTD), and life insurance 


6. Perks: Metro reimbursement and an employee assistance program for those with the LTD plan 
   

What You’ll Do  

Creative Career Programs Team members are champions for creative, visionary community engagement initiatives that strengthen Sitar’s creative youth development programs. Together, the team strategically advances programs that support continuing education, professional growth, and pathways to creative careers for young people.  

The Manager serves as the program strategist, youth advocate, and professional development leader of the team. This role focuses on planning and implementing all aspects of the Bloomberg Arts Internship, leading program promotion, outreach, and recruitment, and deepening alumni engagement and career development opportunities. The Manager ensures the program’s continued success by fostering partnerships, supporting interns’ growth as emerging professionals, and connecting Sitar’s mission to the broader creative economy. 

Core Responsibilities Include: 

Workforce Program Management (40%)

Facilitate the Bloomberg Arts Internship program planning and implementation.  

• Lead the strategy and implementation of recruitment for creative career programs. 


• Support hiring, oversight, onboarding, management, and scheduling of Bloomberg Arts Internship participants, including interns, mentors, and supervisors. 


• Facilitate curriculum and workshops for BAI Summer, School Year, and Alumni Programming. 


• Lead the development of intern workshops, activities, and trips in consultation with Creative Careers Programs team 


• Manage contracts and invoicing for Bloomberg Arts Internship programs 


• Implement intern workshops, activities, and trips as directed by the Associate Director of Creative Career Programs. 


• Manage the implementation of data collection for the Bloomberg Arts Internship, BAI School Year, and BAI Alumni. 
  

Program Promotion & Marketing (35%)

Manage events and processes related to program promotion and participant engagement. 

• Lead the strategy and implementation of marketing and promotional materials in partnership with the Communications and Creative Career Programs teams.  Cultivate relationships with community, arts, and educational partners to increase BAI and BACI intern and work site applicant pool. Provide application and onboarding support for workforce participants and seasonal staff. Manage promotional and recruitment events related to the BAI Summer internship (i.e. Intern Work Site Matching event). Staff outreach events, including but not limited to recruitment events, registration, and community engagement activities. 
  


• Coordinate correspondence related to recruitment and programming for BAI Summer, School Year, and College programs with the Communications Team. 


• Implement and partner with Bloomberg and BAI host organizations to deepen and sustain the BAI supervisor network. 


• Manage the application and interview process for BAI interns. 


• Implement recruitment strategy for interns and work sites across Bloomberg Arts Internship programs (BAI & Bloomberg Arts College Internship (BACI). 

Alumni Professional Development (20%)

Develops and fosters pathways to careers in, and related to, arts administration. 

• Co-manage the development of an alumni council or advisory committee. Manage alumni peer mentoring events. Collaborate with cross-city partners to recruit interns and work sites for Bloomberg Arts College Intern program. 
  


• Develop and facilitate alumni professional development workshops with support from the Creative Career Programs Coordinator. 


• Manage planning, structure, and strategy of alumni professional development events. 

Administrative (5%)

• Foster and encourage a positive staff culture by embracing, living, and encouraging our values.
  


• Provide support for Sitar events such as, but not limited to, semester registration, student performances, community events, volunteer appreciations, center tours, and the annual gala.


• Attend and participate in required meetings, annual planning sessions, trainings and retreats.

         And other duties as assigned by the Senior Manager of Youth Workforce Development.

Our Values  

Embed Equity  

Embed equity in our systems, programs, and spaces to advance social justice.  

Everyone should have equitable access to opportunities, representation, and voice.  

Foster Belonging  

Foster belonging by engaging, supporting, and celebrating our diverse community members through genuine and meaningful relationships.  

Everyone deserves a welcoming space where they can feel like they belong.   

Prioritize Balance  

Prioritize balance between the mental, emotional, physical, and creative well-being within ourselves and our fellow community members.   

Everyone deserves the opportunity and support to prioritize wellness within their lives.  

Build Trust  

Build trust by assuming positive intentions and taking ownership of our words, actions, responsibilities, and commitments.  

Everyone benefits when we approach relationships with openness and commit to follow through.  

Inspire Transformation  

Inspire transformation by listening to, learning from, and growing with our community and the world around us.   

Everyone can be a student, and anyone can be a teacher.  

Encourage Collaboration  

Encourage collaboration with thoughtful and clear communication, a curious mind, and a creative spirit.   

Everyone benefits when we work together as a team.  

How You Can Apply   

This position will remain open until filled. However, for best consideration, please apply by February 20, 2026. 

You need to submit a resume and answer all required questions. No phone calls, please.   

After applying, you’ll receive an email confirming that we have your application on file. If you’re selected for the next stage, you will be contacted for an interview. The hiring process can take 7-9 weeks after posting. You will be considered if the position is still vacant.   

We appreciate your interest in Sitar Arts Center. Sitar Arts Center is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Sitar Arts Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status, or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.  

  
For more information about Sitar Arts Center, please visit www.sitarartscenter.org.