STEM Programs Manager

About The Tech Interactive

Established in 1998, The Tech Interactive has been a vital institution in the San Francisco Bay area, dedicated to serving families and youth through immersive hands-on activities, experimental laboratories, and design challenges. Our mission is to ignite the innovator in every person by creating empowering learning experiences guided by creativity, curiosity, and compassion. We focus on developing future problem-solvers especially from historically marginalized and underserved communities, believing technology's transformative power worldwide.

Role Summary

The STEM Programs Manager is responsible for leading the delivery of STEM initiatives and products aimed at engaging learners from low-income and marginalized groups to build STEM identity and problem-solving skills. This role oversees contractors and volunteers, guides the product lifecycle of The Tech Challenge, and collaborates across teams in R&D, marketing, and operations to ensure continuous product enhancement aligned with learner needs. Reporting to the Senior Director of Learning Products, this exempt position is integral in strategic product development and community engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and management of the STEM product roadmap, including rebranding efforts and defining product specifications reflecting organizational, educator, and learner needs.
• Set success benchmarks and track performance metrics concerning engagement, achievement, and satisfaction.
• Manage program budgets and resources effectively.
• Establish and nurture partnerships with schools, districts, education-focused organizations, and parents to facilitate recruitment and collaboration.
• Direct and motivate volunteer committees to ensure successful program execution.
• Champion learner-focused design by incorporating feedback, usability testing, and data analysis into product development.
• Ensure all products conform to accessibility, inclusivity, and usability standards.
• Coordinate cross-functional collaboration with R&D, partners, and operational teams to deliver features on schedule and within scope that align with The Tech's educational philosophy and pedagogical guidelines.
• Support marketing, training, and adoption strategies to enhance learner engagement.
• Continuously monitor product effectiveness, staying abreast of educational technology trends and recommending improvements to optimize learner impact, scalability, and efficiency.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• A minimum of five years’ experience in learning sciences, design thinking, project-based learning, or related fields.
• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline or equivalent professional experience.
• Deep understanding of design challenge pedagogy, adult learning principles, and contemporary instructional design methodologies.
• Proven ability to manage complex programs and large-scale events.
• Experience in supervising staff and volunteers.
• Proficiency in project management tools like Asana or Trello for tracking tasks and timelines.
• Strong analytical skills to convert student data and feedback into actionable program and product enhancements.
• Exceptional communication abilities for engaging diverse stakeholders.

Working Conditions

• The position may require weekend and evening work based on program and organizational demands.
• This role is primarily onsite at the San Jose location, with potential flexibility to work some days remotely depending on job requirements.
• Up to 15% travel is expected, including domestic and possibly some international trips.

Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA)

The Tech Interactive embraces diversity and strives to assemble teams of individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to foster innovative perspectives and challenge assumptions. We encourage applicants from historically marginalized communities, including women, people with disabilities, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and those from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. We provide equal employment opportunities without discrimination and accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.

Compensation

This role offers an annual salary between $80,000 and $92,000.