Due to an unscheduled leave, Friends & Co has a rare part-time, temporary opportunity to work with volunteers and an established team of professionals to support a toll-free chat line called Coffee Talk, where older adults call for friendly conversations with caring, compassionate volunteers. This temporary, 25-hour-per-week position that runs through March 2025 can be an excellent first job to gain meaningful experience or a wonderful way for an experienced person to test the waters in a new field or take a slower exit from the full-time workforce.
Position: Program Manager – Coffee Talk
- 25 hrs/week through March 2025
- Reports to: Program and Volunteer Services Director
- Manages: Interns, Coffee Talk Volunteers
- Location: Hybrid with Offices in Saint Paul, MN
- Compensation: $24/hour w/ $500 retention bonus
Position Overview: Friends & Co seeks a Program Manager to oversee the successful operation of our Coffee Talk program. Coffee Talk, Friends & Co’s drop-in chat line, which runs from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon Monday through Friday, offers older adults an easy and instant way to engage with one of our caring Coffee Talk volunteers in friendly conversation. This position will play a key role in ensuring that Coffee Talk continues to provide meaningful social connections and support for older adults across Minnesota and beyond state borders. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in program management, volunteer coordination, and working with older adult populations. As the Program Manager, you will be responsible for maintaining effective operations, managing volunteers, and ensuring the highest level of service for our callers.
Key Responsibilities:
Program Oversight:
Lead and oversee the Coffee Talk program to ensure its ongoing success in providing meaningful social connections for older adults through phone conversations. Regularly monitor program performance, assess key metrics, and evaluate the impact of services. Ensure the program meets the needs of older adults across Minnesota and beyond, stepping in to answer calls when volunteer coverage is unavailable.
Volunteer Coordination and Support:
Manage, train, and support a dedicated team of 15-20 volunteers, including student volunteers from local Universities. Foster volunteer engagement by ensuring they are well-prepared, motivated, and receive ongoing support. Work to maintain high volunteer retention and satisfaction, ensuring they feel connected to the program’s mission.
Data Management and Reporting:
Track and analyze program data, including call volume, demographics, and volunteer hours. Prepare monthly performance reports and share updates with internal teams and external stakeholders. Use data to inform decision-making and identify opportunities for improvement.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 2+ years of experience in program management or in the aging sector, preferably within a social service or volunteer-driven organization
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage a diverse group of volunteers
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with older adults and volunteers - Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage time effectively
- Commitment to community service, social equity, and enhancing the well-being of older adults
- Comfort with technology, including using systems, mobile apps, and virtual tools to manage and support the program
Benefits:
- Generous and supportive coworkers
- Bright, new, and centrally located office on light-rail and with ample parking
- Hybrid work schedule
- Hourly compensation of $24 per hour w/ $500 retention bonus
- Flexibility of a hybrid work model
- Opportunities for professional development and training
This hybrid position offers the flexibility to combine working from home and our new St. Paul office.
Friends & Co is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and a culture of humility that moves us toward cultural competency. People of color, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ persons are strongly encouraged to apply.
You can apply for this position by providing a traditional cover letter and resume or a proposal for employment that addresses: 1) why you would be excited to work with us now; 2) what makes you ready to be good in this position; and 3) what about your lived experience would be helpful in this position.
Application materials can be sent to Friends & Co-Executive Director James Falvey at jfalvey@friendsco.org.
About Us: For more than 50 years, Friends & Co’s mission has been to enrich the lives of older adults by fostering meaningful connections, companionship, and community. Formerly Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly, in 2022, we adopted the Friends & Co brand as we chart a new course to fulfill our vision of a world where older adults thrive in meaningful relationships.
