Shelter Courses Program Manager
About Us:
Shelter Institute is a family-owned business and although we are small in numbers we are large in projects, customer service quality and growth. Because of our 50-year heritage, there is a tremendous amount of passion in the work that we do and the way we do it. The drive behind that passion is a strong work ethic. We seek employees who will work alongside us; people who can see the big picture of who we are as well as the many small details that hold all the pieces together.Â
Shelter Institute is a combination of systems that require a person to learn and respond quickly with good judgment and positivity. Your job is the successful and smooth planning and implementation of Shelter Courses.
Position Overview:
You will thrive in this role if you are both an ambitious self-starter and a collaborative team player working closely with the on-site Shelter team and Shelter students of all types. As Shelter continues to rapidly grow, so will this role!
We are seeking an energetic and driven Shelter Courses Program Manager to hit the ground running and evolve into the owner of the ambitious, ever-expanding student experience. You will use your genuine enthusiasm, exceptional communication and proactive problem-solving skills to help others and be the heartbeat of our educational programs. You will rapidly learn and autonomously oversee initial student touch points from inbound interest through on-site engagement. As your familiarity with Shelter Courses expands, so will your ownership of increasingly complex administrative responsibilities and growth initiatives in a rapidly growing company.
This role combines high-energy relationship building with strategic program development and the accompanying administrative responsibilities. While you will not be teaching, you will be working directly with our teaching staff. If you thrive in fast-paced environments and have a genuine passion for helping people learn, this is your opportunity to shape the future of Shelter Courses and help empower thousands to be doers.
To highlight the critical growth path of this role, we have outlined our anticipated trajectory and opportunity for this position based on existing Shelter Institute growth strategy:
Key Responsibilities:
In the first 90 days:
- Prepare and distribute course materials, handbooks, and safety documentation to students prior to arrival
- Work with the Shelter team to ensure timely and accurate responses – written and verbal - to student questions or concerns from inquiry through enrollment through course participation addressing basic matters or escalating for further attention
In the first 6 months:
- Oversee physical preparation of course materials, coordinating with the Shelter team to ensure tools and workspaces are ready for each session
- Manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail including course calendars, scheduling conflicts, and communicate changes or updates to all stakeholders in a timely manner
- Support marketing efforts by maintaining accurate course descriptions, schedules, and pricing information across all platforms
In the first year:
- Lead all aspects of the student experience and communication (digital, phone and in person) from initial inquiries through course completion, including enrollment, visit expectations and guidelines, payment coordination, and waitlist management
- Manage specialized and complex administrative requirements including Shelter Courses certification and accreditation as well as student requirements including Veteran’s Affairs benefits, ensuring proper documentation, compliance, and communication with VA representatives
In the first 18 months:
- Build and nurture online communities to continue the growth and Shelter values in our existing student alumni space
- Help develop and manage our guest instructor program in collaboration with marketing and videography teams
- Drive growth initiatives while maintaining exceptional student satisfaction
Required Qualifications:
- Minimum 3-5 years of experience in customer facing administration, program coordination, or similar role requiring complex responsibilities
- Experience in educational program management or customer success roles
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with ability to interact professionally with diverse student populations
- Proficiency in database management, student information systems, and standard office software applications
- Ability to work independently with a bias towards action and problem-solving while maintaining collaborative relationships with instructors, staff, and external partners
- Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends during peak enrollment periods or course sessions
- Energy and stamina to match our startup pace
Bonus Points If You Have:
- Experience with financial processing, including tuition collection, refunds, and third-party payment coordination
- Genuine interest in traditional building crafts and adult education
- Marketing or business development experience
- Experience with VA educational benefits
- Knowledge of online course platforms (we use Kajabi) and tools
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Health insurance and 401k retirement plan, Dental, Vision
- PTO & sick days