Community Programming Coordinator

Position Summary:

The Community Programming Coordinator is responsible for the strategic coordination, implementation, and continuous improvement of Ready Readers community-based programming, neighborhood-based literacy initiatives, and community partnerships. This role serves as the lead for the Neighborhood Reading Captains program and plays a key role in identifying, cultivating, and sustaining partnerships that expand Ready Readers reach into underserved communities. The Community Programming Coordinator actively gathers and communicates community feedback, identifies emerging needs and opportunities, and collaborates with internal teams to ensure Ready Readers' programs remain responsive, high-quality, and mission aligned.

This is a full-time, exempt 40 hour per week position and includes insurance benefits, PTO, and holiday pay.

Location: Primarily in-office or in the community as needed. Flexibility to work from home when tasks allow.

Primary Responsibilities:

Neighborhood Reading Captains

• Lead the ongoing planning, implementation, evaluation, and refinement of the Neighborhood Reading Captains program.
• Develop and manage the annual program budget, including expense monitoring.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, contracting, and performance management of Neighborhood Reading Captains (independent contractors).
• Provide ongoing training, support, coaching, and quality assurance for Captains to ensure strong program delivery and fidelity to Ready Readers standards.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Ready Readers and Neighborhood Reading Captains, ensuring clear communication, timely support, and consistent expectations.
• Monitor program outcomes, participant engagement, and community impact using data and qualitative feedback. Implement program improvements as appropriate.
• Prepare reports, success stories, and program updates for internal leadership, funders, and external partners as needed.
• Lead preparation for funder conversations related to the program, including data compilation, narrative development, and advance materials.
• Identify communities for future expansion and evaluate readiness and fit using Need/Asset matrices and community input.
• Engage and coordinate the Neighborhood Reading Captains Advisory Council to solicit feedback, guide program evolution, and support strategic growth.

_ Community Partners _

• Work closely with the Program Director and senior leadership to identify, cultivate, and maintain community partnerships that deepen Ready Readers reach with children and families.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of community-based partners, ensuring consistent communication, follow-up, and shared accountability.
• Collaborate with team members to meet the needs of community-based partners and Captains.
• Respond to community inquiries and partnership opportunities, guiding organizations through the engagement process.
• Represent Ready Readers at community events, coalition meetings, and partner convenings.
• Contribute to strategic planning efforts related to community-based programming and support implementation of relevant Strategic Plan priorities.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong commitment to the Ready Readers mission and to advancing literacy access in under-resourced communities.
• Comfort and experience working in education and/or community-based programming required. Experience working in programs serving low-income communities strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to build, sustain, and navigate relationships with diverse community partners, residents, and stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, time management, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Detail-oriented and able to maintain accurate and up-to-date records in Salesforce and other internal systems related to partners, Captains, programming, and outcomes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with community partners. Comfort facilitating meetings and presentations.
• Ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple tasks, set deadlines, and complete projects quickly.
• Experience and comfort using Microsoft Office Suite (especially Word and Excel) required. Proficiency working in a database (Salesforce) and using Zoom preferred.
• Use of personal vehicle required to travel to community events. Travel on a regular basis within the St. Louis metro area required (up to 50%).
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends for community events and partner programming.

Our ideal candidate is a relationship-driven, community-centered professional who is passionate about literacy, equity, and neighborhood-based engagement. They are energized by building partnerships, supporting community leaders, and translating big-picture vision into on-the-ground impact. They are equally comfortable working independently and collaborating with teams, and they bring strong organization, follow-through, and communication skills to everything they do. The ideal candidate thrives in dynamic environments, values community voice, and is motivated by seeing children and families thrive through access to books and literacy experiences.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, salary requirements, and resume to by January 2. The subject line should read CPC (last name).

Ready Readers is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and others from underrepresented backgrounds.

About Ready Readers

Ready Readers is a local nonprofit organization serving over 21,000 children in the St. Louis area. Our mission is to expand literacy for young children in low-income communities through high-quality books, strong relationships, and literacy related experiences. To learn more, please visit:

Pay: $54, $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending