C

Center for Employment Opportunities

Job readiness and reintegration for justice-impacted

Workforce Development Program Manager

Full-TimePosted on 10/19/2026Deadline 11/2/26
$62.5k - $67.5k
Mid
Cleveland, OH, USA
In PersonIn-person role; staff are expected to report to a CEO site.
Social & Community Services

About the job

Requirements
  • At least 3 years of program implementation experience in a fast-growing, results-oriented nonprofit environment.
  • Working knowledge of the criminal justice and workforce development systems.
  • Proficiency and experience in meeting performance-based goals.
  • Proficiency and experience collecting, analyzing, and applying data to drive program strategy and decision-making.
  • Comfort with technology, including Google Suite and Salesforce.
  • Dedication to social justice, criminal justice, and/or economic justice.
  • Ability to motivate and inspire others to achieve their goals and help individuals identify, capitalize upon, and apply their strengths.
  • Attention to detail and strong project management capabilities.
  • High personal integrity and commitment to excellence and impact.
  • Ability to identify, anticipate, and analyze potential problems and solutions, and decide on and implement a course of action.
Responsibilities
  • Manage daily vocational operations at the local site and delivery of vocational services to participants, ensuring effective delivery of the vocational model.
  • Support and enhance the participant experience.
  • Collaborate with the Social Enterprise team, including local Site Supervisors and Social Enterprise leadership, to maintain cohesion and communication in delivering participant services.
  • Monitor and manage office administration, collaborating with internal teams to implement organizational procedures and policies effectively and with fidelity.
  • Maintain relationships with local parole and probation bureaus, district attorney offices, and other program referral sources.
  • Collaborate with and support the Participant Resources department in building strategic partnerships and referral relationships with local organizations that provide complementary participant services, such as housing and substance abuse services.
  • Troubleshoot incidents and challenges in coordination with safety, Employee Experience, and Legal teams.
  • As needed, support the regional contracts team with data tracking and reporting.
  • Manage adherence to the local site's vocational budget, including SNAP and other performance-based outcomes, staff-related costs, and vocational other-than-personnel services.
  • As needed, provide a local presence and manage relationships with other community organizations in the reentry space.
  • As needed, support regional Investment and/or fundraising teams.
  • Monitor and supervise site and team progress and effectiveness, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
  • Manage the team's use of the client relationship management system to organize information, forecast, and measure programming performance.
  • Evaluate vocational program services and recommend areas for ongoing improvement.
  • Manage recording and tracking of data required by program management, grant contractors, and foundations by monitoring enrollment, case files, placement, and retention metrics.
  • Hire, supervise, and support a diverse, high-performing local team to serve participants and achieve local program outcomes.
  • Ensure ongoing staff learning in program delivery and help staff obtain resources and training needed to carry out the organization's vision and mission.
  • Build collaboration, disciplined goal pursuit, and inclusion by fostering communication, accountability, and support across team members.
  • Coach team members and provide performance feedback, supporting access to resources for individual and team development.
  • Use employee insights and feedback to respond to needs and identify areas for individual and team development.
  • Model strong communication and collaboration between sites, teams, and departments.
  • Prioritize team-building, culture-building, celebration of accomplishments, and initiatives that develop a sense of shared purpose.
  • Model organizational values in management practice and empower employees to lead through those values.
  • Perform additional assigned responsibilities, including covering for team members.
Desired Qualifications
  • Program management experience is preferred.

About the company

C

Center for Employment Opportunities

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Center for Employment Opportunities provides a platform called NEST that supports people impacted by the justice system with virtual training, job readiness tools, and money management resources. Participants access online training, complete tailored programs like the Emerging Leaders Program, and connect with employers who practice inclusive hiring. The organization stands out by offering an end-to-end, justice-impacted focused platform, strong employer partnerships, and advocacy that promotes inclusive hiring. Its goal is to help justice-impacted individuals gain employment, achieve financial stability, and successfully reintegrate into society.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Grant

Total Funding

$4.3M

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

1996

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • NYPA granted CEO $1.15 million on April 1, 2026 for clean-energy training.
  • CEO served nearly 8,000 people in 2025 and paid almost $20 million in wages.
  • CEO launched Game Plan for Opportunity with NFL Inspire Change on April 1, 2026.

What critics are saying

  • CEO relies on philanthropy; FY2024 revenue was 99% contributions, not earned income.
  • Blue Meridian Partners supplied $69.75 million, creating concentration risk if priorities shift.
  • Justice-system policy wins drive demand; stalled reforms would leave CEO with advocacy-heavy growth.

What makes Center for Employment Opportunities unique

  • CEO is the largest U.S. reentry employment provider, serving 30 cities.
  • CEO pairs paid transitional jobs with 12 months retention support across 12 states.
  • CEO's evidence base includes MDRC findings reducing parole violations after RCS.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Parental Leave
  • 403?
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Remote Work Options
  • Hybrid Work Options

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

2%
IEC Network
Aug 3rd, 2026
San Bernardino, Caltrans partner to address homeless encampments along freeways.

San Bernardino, Caltrans partner to address homeless encampments along freeways. The agreement will authorize city-led cleanups and outreach for three years. Photo by Manny Sandoval The City of San Bernardino and the California Department of Transportation have finalized an agreement that authorizes the City to address homeless encampments, litter, debris, and graffiti located along State freeway corridors within its city limits. San Bernardino joins twelve other cities across California that have taken over this responsibility from the State. The Encampment Delegated Maintenance Agreement, which was approved by the San Bernardino City Council on June 3 and signed by Caltrans on July 17, allows the City to perform cleanup and maintenance services on Caltrans-owned right-of-way along Interstate 10, Interstate 215, State Route 210, and other designated State highway corridors, including State Highway 18, Route 66 and a portion of Highway 330. The State will reimburse the City of San Bernardino up to $400,000 for work performed under the agreement. "This agreement represents an important step forward to address homeless encampments along our freeways," Mayor Helen Tran said. "For too long, jurisdictional barriers have limited our ability to address these areas." In addition to removing encampments and improving the appearance of freeway corridors in San Bernardino, the City will coordinate outreach efforts to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with shelter, housing, and supportive services before encampments are removed whenever feasible. Until now, the City has been unable to address encampments located on Caltrans-owned property. The new agreement gives the City the authority to perform maintenance and encampment abatement activities along freeway corridors while following State guidelines and safety requirements. The agreement authorizes the City to remove both Priority Level 1 encampments, which pose an immediate threat to life, health, safety, or critical infrastructure, and Priority Level 2 encampments in accordance with State guidelines. City crews will also be empowered to remove litter, debris, and graffiti from designated State right-of-way areas to improve the cleanliness and appearance of San Bernardino's major transportation corridors. To help support the program's implementation, San Bernardino intends to partner with the Center for Employment Opportunities, providing workforce assistance while creating employment opportunities for individuals re-entering the workforce. Caltrans will reimburse the City for eligible costs including labor, contracted services, equipment, disposal, hazardous material handling, traffic control, outreach coordination, and documentation. The City will work closely with Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol to ensure cleanup operations are conducted safely and in compliance with State requirements. "Residents deserve clean, safe freeway corridors, and people experiencing homelessness deserve the opportunity to connect with services that can help them move toward stable housing," Tran said. "This partnership allows us to do both by combining compassionate outreach with timely action to restore these public spaces."

Who's Who in Black
Jun 26th, 2026
Oakland County appoints Oluwatosin Martins deputy director of Public Services.

Oakland County appoints Oluwatosin Martins deputy director of Public Services. By: Jasmine West Oluwatosin Martins, a workforce development leader with experience serving people affected by the criminal justice system, has been appointed deputy director of Oakland County's Department of Public Services. County Executive Dave Coulter announced the appointment Tuesday, June 23. Martins will help oversee work involving Children's Village, Pretrial and Justice Services, the Medical Examiner's Office and Animal Control. Her responsibilities will include supporting the county's criminal justice programs and helping shape how the department serves residents. "Olu's extensive background in workforce development and organizational leadership will be a tremendous asset as we continue strengthening the programs and services provided through our Department of Public Services," Coulter said. Martins brings more than 15 years of experience in workforce development, nonprofit management, strategic planning and employment programs. Much of her work has focused on people who face barriers to employment, including those returning home from incarceration. Before joining Oakland County, Martins served as Midwest regional program director for the Center for Employment Opportunities, an organization that connects people recently released from incarceration with jobs and employment support. She managed programs, budgets, contracts and performance standards for five Midwest offices. She also worked with government agencies, employers and community organizations to expand employment services and secure funding. That background will be central to her work with Oakland County's pretrial and justice programs. "Her experience and passion for supporting justice-impacted individuals make her a perfect fit for this role," Department of Public Services Director Barb Hankey said. "She has hit the ground running and is already making an impact on expanding opportunities for the individuals we serve." Martins previously served as program director for the Michigan Works! Livonia American Job Center. She led employment and training programs, developed relationships with employers and expanded apprenticeship and work-based learning opportunities. She has also worked as a data and performance manager and career development facilitator. Oakland County Deputy Executive Madiha Tariq said Martins' understanding of workforce systems and experience working across organizations will help the county improve its services. "Olu's leadership experience and deep understanding of workforce systems make her an excellent addition to our team," Tariq said. "Her ability to build partnerships and develop innovative solutions aligns perfectly with our goal of delivering responsive, effective services to our residents." The Department of Public Services oversees several county operations that residents often encounter during difficult or sensitive moments. Children's Village houses and provides services for young people involved in the juvenile court system. Pretrial and Justice Services works with people awaiting court proceedings. The Medical Examiner's Office investigates sudden and unexpected deaths, while Animal Control handles shelter services, enforcement and animal welfare cases. Martins holds a Master of Business Administration in organizational management from Eastern University. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and organizational behavior from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She is also pursuing a doctorate in organizational leadership. Her studies focus on workforce planning, leadership practices and how employers can create better career opportunities for workers. Martins was selected for Oakland County's 40 Under 40 Class of 2025. She is a member of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals and the International Leadership Association.

PR Newswire
Nov 21st, 2024
Center For Employment Opportunities Denver Named A Top 100 Nonprofit In North America, Awarded Pepsico Foundation Community Impact Award

DENVER, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) has been awarded one of PepsiCo Foundation's 2024 Community Impact Awards. The PepsiCo Foundation is the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP), one of the world's leading food and beverage companies. The program supports local communities by offering resources for employment services to justice-impacted job seekers. CEO Denver is one of 100 public charities and organizations across the United States and Canada to receive a Community Impact Award for its dedication and commitment to the communities it serves

StockTitan
Nov 21st, 2024
Center for Employment Opportunities Denver Named a Top 100 Nonprofit in North America, Awarded PepsiCo Foundation Community Impact Award

The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) Denver has been recognized as one of the top 100 nonprofits in North America, receiving a PepsiCo Foundation Community Impact Award for 2024.

Ethical Markets Media
Apr 3rd, 2024
'More Than a Background' Campaign Highlights Challenges for Second-Chance Workers

Today, the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), the US's largest re-entry organization, launched "More Than a Background" (#MoreThanABackground) - a public-awareness campaign to limit the use of criminal background checks in the hiring process.