Level Ground Mixed Martial Arts 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.

Position Summary

The Program Manager at Level Ground Mixed Martial Arts (LG) is responsible for overseeing key components of the Student Trainer Program, supporting youth through mentorship and other direct services, providing administrative program support, facilitating gym operations, and increasing community engagement. This role requires strong leadership, organizational skills, and a commitment to fostering an inclusive and empowering environment for youth and community members. Preferred candidates are experienced martial artists that have instructed in Kickboxing, Jiu Jitsu, and/or Mixed Martial Arts. Evening hours Monday-Friday are required. Position responsibilities include:

Providing direct service to teenagers in our Student Trainer Program (40% of time)
Supporting administrative components of the Student Trainer Program (40% of time)
Facilitating gym operations and community engagement efforts (20% of time)
- Experienced martial artists will focus on athletics instruction and evaluation of athletics programming

Detailed Roles and Responsibilities

Student Trainer Program - Direct Service (40%)

Greet and check in with students upon arrival
Follow up with students who are late or absent
Keep overall and per class attendance records up to date
Oversee smooth transitions between program activities
Document program via photos and videos for our Newsletters
Monitor student behavior during all program activities
Oversee daily study times for youth and provide academic tutoring
Facilitate 1:1 and small group mentorship sessions and support youth in mapping out their academic, career, and personal goals
Review and track student progress toward their goals
Provide instruction in: leadership skills, post-secondary readiness, and related topics
Identify and match Student Trainers with prospective internships, personal training & martial arts teaching opportunities, and job opportunities
Supervise and assess youth-led classes at LG and program partners to ensure consistency and quality
Assist students pursuing martial arts careers with goal-setting and planning
Maintain communication with Student Trainer parents regarding progress and updates
Continually seek opportunities to improve program quality
Develop leadership opportunities for Student Trainers as they progress through program benchmarks

Student Trainer Program - Administrative Support (40%)

Identify potential resources for youth offered by local nonprofits, health centers, and government agencies, and provide referrals as appropriate
Support outreach, vetting, and onboarding of new program partners, tutors, and volunteers
Maintain relationships with key program partners and uphold program standards, including with contract program instructors, tutors, and volunteers
Develop and implement surveys for youth and program stakeholders
Analyze survey data and make recommendations to enhance student and stakeholder experience
Coordinate summer jobs program outreach, enrollment, and all associated administrative responsibilities including but not limited to recruiting partners to refer youth to LG, vetting youth applications and providing follow up, conducting interviews, managing selection process, and collecting all onboarding paperwork and surveys
Design and implement onboarding training to Student Trainers

Gym Operations, Community Engagement, & Athletic Programming (20%)

Implement and supervise Student Trainers in maintaining proper gym equipment sanitization protocols
Support front desk responsibilities as needed, including student sign-ins and membership payments
Monitor inventory of equipment and supplies
Engage new members and help foster a welcoming and supportive environment
Develop and implement membership retention strategies
Assist with planning and executing community events such as holiday parties, member events, etc.
Organize Student Trainer Program events
Represent LG at community events and school fairs
Coordinate athletic program schedule and arrange substitutes as needed

For candidates that are experienced martial arts instructors:

Develop and implement Striking, Jiu Jitsu, or MMA pedagogy curriculum with measurable goals
Evaluate athletic classes to identify areas for improvement and make recommendations to instructors to ensure alignment to best practices
Provide coaching in local competitions

Schedule

Direct service to youth, gym operations, and athletic programming responsibilities take place Monday - Friday, 2 - 8 pm onsite at our Training Center during the school year (1490 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester). During the summer, you may expect earlier start times in conjunction with the earlier program start times. Administrative responsibilities may take place remotely.

Management & Support

The Program Manager will report directly to the Program Director, and work in collaboration with our second Program Manager, Administrative & Operations Coordinator, and contract athletic instructors. Expect to receive additional mentorship, support, and supervision from the Executive Director as needed.

Qualifications and Skills

Level Ground is seeking an enthusiastic, adaptable, and skilled new member of our team!

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
Experience in working with youth in a nonprofit or school setting, and/or demonstrated ability to implement youth programming in a nontraditional setting
Excellent organizational and management skills, with ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously
Exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication
Knowledge of and experience building strong relationships with Boston’s nonprofit, philanthropy, and social enterprise sectors.
Proficient computer skills, including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, knowledge of customer relations software
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]
Values building and maintaining relationships with urban youth and youths of color
Enthusiasm and current practice in sports, athletics and/or fitness
Passionate, committed, flexible, adaptive, and fun to be around

Additional Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience working or volunteering with a youth serving nonprofit
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
Has deep understanding of the communities of Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan through firsthand experience [lives or has previous work experience in the community]
Experience in practicing and instructing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, or Mixed Martial Arts
Experience in gym management and operations

Salary and Benefits

The Program Manager role is a full-time position, with a competitive salary based on experience. Benefits include health insurance reimbursement of up to federally-allowable threshold under QSEHRA guidelines, employer-sponsored 401(k) with 4% match, professional development fund, 21 days of paid time off (PTO) annually, and unlimited sick days.

Level Ground Mixed Martial Arts 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

Interested candidates should email cover letter and resume to ricardo@levelgroundmma.org and ali@levelgroundmma.org. Please provide 3 professional references.

For candidates that are experienced martial arts instructors, please provide 1 reference from a student you have instructed. For candidates that are experienced youth workers, please provide 1 reference from a youth you have worked with.

Level Ground Mixed Martial Arts

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