Job DetailsJob Location: Long Island City - Long Island City, NY 11101Position Type: Full-Time ExemptSalary Range: $70,000.00 - $72,000.00 SalaryTitle: Program Manager, Placement Services
Unit: Employment Services
Reports to: Director, Employment Business Services
Status: Full Time; Regular, Exempt
Salary Range: $70,000 - $72,000
Location: 29-76 Northern Blvd., Long Island City, NY, 11101
Days/Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm
Organization Overview:
The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities.
Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with over $90 million in annual budget with approximately 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 18,000 people a year. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.
Position Summary: The Fortune Society is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Program Manager, Placement Services to join our Employment Services team. Reporting to the Director, Employment Business Services, this role is central to advancing our mission of securing sustainable employment opportunities for individuals impacted by the criminal legal system. The Program Manager will provide direct supervision and support to Employment Specialists, guiding their efforts to connect participants with meaningful career pathways across a range of industries. This position is responsible for ensuring the team meets contractual placement goals while maintaining the highest standard of service to the individuals we serve. Key responsibilities include cultivating and sustaining employer partnerships, overseeing day-to-day operations, and leading staff onboarding, training, and professional development. The Program Manager will also oversee data collection and internal audits, prepare weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports, manage task allocation across the team and represent the program in both internal and external meetings. This is an exciting opportunity for a results-driven leader with a passion for workforce development and a commitment to supporting individuals as they build careers and reenter their communities.
Core Competencies:
Mission and Fit:
Embodies Fortune’s mission and values and will be an effective member of the team in furthering both. The candidate should exhibit compassion and understanding for our participants (wherever they are in their re-entry process) and embrace Fortune’s core value that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.
Attention to Detail:
The Program Manager, Placement Services maintains a high level of accuracy and thoroughness in all aspects of their work, carefully cross-referencing information and verifying details to minimize errors and ensure quality across all tasks. This role requires strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain focus and manage distractions, ensuring that work is completed efficiently, correctly, and to the highest standard.
Critical Thinking:
The Program Manager, Placement Services applies thoughtful analysis and sound judgment when addressing challenges and making decisions. This role requires strong observation skills and the ability to identify key details, interpret information effectively, and reflect on outcomes to continuously improve processes and performance. The Program Manager proactively solves problems and makes informed, strategic decisions that advance program goals and support the individuals we serve.
Networking & Relationship Building:
The Program Manager, Placement Services builds and maintains strong professional relationships that expand employment opportunities for participants. This role requires effective communication across multiple platforms and with diverse stakeholders, leveraging a variety of channels to broaden the reach of employment resources. The Program Manager actively connects participants with relevant networking opportunities and professional contacts, and engages in employer outreach events and partnership activities to grow the program's job bank and strengthen the overall capacity of Employment Services.
Supervision:
The Program Manager, Placement Services provides consistent and supportive oversight to a team of Employment Specialists, fostering a collaborative and accountable work environment. This role requires the ability to guide, mentor, and develop staff through regular check-ins, constructive feedback, and ongoing professional development opportunities. The Program Manager sets clear expectations, monitors performance, and ensures that team members have the tools and support needed to meet individual and program-wide placement goals. Additionally, this role oversees the onboarding and training of new staff, manages task allocation, and ensures day-to-day operations run smoothly and in alignment with the organization's mission and contractual obligations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership & Supervision
Provide direct supervision, coaching, and professional development to Employment Specialists and placement staff, ensuring team members have the guidance, tools, and support needed to perform effectively and meet program goals.
Conduct regular one-on-one supervision meetings with direct reports, deliver constructive feedback, set clear performance expectations, and complete formal performance evaluations in alignment with organizational timelines and standards.
Lead staff onboarding and training initiatives, ensuring new and existing team members are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and resources to deliver high-quality placement services.
Oversee the allocation of participant caseloads and placement tasks across the team, ensuring equitable distribution and alignment with each staff member's capacity and areas of focus.
Facilitate regular team meetings and case conferences to review participant progress, coordinate services across Employment Services, and strengthen individualized employment and career development plans.
Model and promote trauma-informed practices, professional workplace behaviors, and a respectful, inclusive team culture that reflects The Fortune Society's mission and values.
Program Operations & Compliance
Oversee day-to-day operations of the Placement Services team, ensuring workflows, processes, and service delivery are efficient, consistent, and aligned with contractual obligations and organizational standards.
Take primary accountability for meeting contractual placement goals, monitoring team-wide performance metrics, and implementing corrective strategies when targets are at risk of not being met.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation of participant engagement, employer interactions, job placements, and outcomes in CaseWorthy and other designated databases, ensuring all records are complete and accessible for reporting and compliance purposes.
Prepare and submit weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports on placement activities, participant progress, employer engagement, and program effectiveness for internal leadership and external funders.
Track and analyze employment outcomes and labor market trends to assess program performance, identify service gaps, and inform data-driven decision-making.
Support internal audits and quality assurance reviews, ensuring the team's documentation and service delivery practices meet all compliance requirements.
Employer Engagement & Partnership Development
Cultivate, build, and sustain relationships with employers, industry partners, and community organizations to identify job opportunities and expand employment pipelines for participants.
Promote program services to employer partners and educate them on the value and benefits of hiring from The Fortune Society's candidate pool.
Plan, coordinate, and host monthly onsite hiring events, managing all logistics including employer recruitment, participant preparation, and post-event follow-up to maximize successful placements.
Develop and implement a quarterly networking engagement activity that creates meaningful connections between participants, employers, and professional contacts, supporting long-term career development and community integration.
Actively participate in workforce development convenings, employer panels, and external networking events to expand job opportunities and strengthen the program's employer partnership network.
Direct Service & Participant Support
Oversee candidate sourcing and screening processes, including reviewing resumes, conducting interviews, and ensuring participants are matched effectively with appropriate job opportunities based on skills, experience, and cultural fit.
Support Employment Specialists in providing participants with job readiness assistance including resume development, cover letter writing, interview preparation, and job search strategies.
Coordinate and support participation in on-site and off-site job fairs, hiring events, and workforce development activities, ensuring participants are well-prepared and employers are effectively engaged.
Monitor participant progress during and after placement by supporting post-placement retention strategies, addressing workplace challenges, and collaborating with case managers and internal teams to ensure continued support.
Apply trauma-informed practices in all participant interactions, fostering a respectful, supportive, and empowering environment that honors participants' experiences and promotes their long-term success.
Professional Development & Organizational Contribution
Stay informed about labor market trends, workforce development resources, and best practices in employment services to continuously strengthen program effectiveness and service delivery.
Participate in internal and external trainings, professional development opportunities, and industry convenings to enhance knowledge and expand employer and community networks.
Collaborate across Fortune Society departments to ensure integrated, holistic service delivery for participants, and contribute to organization-wide initiatives and priorities as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.
QualificationsQualifications:
Minimum two year’s experience in a supervisory position, overseeing workforce development initiatives is preferred.
Minimum Associate’s degree preferred or equivalent experience.
Proven work experience as a Employment Specialist or in a similar role, with a record of accomplishments and quality placements.
Familiar with working in a quota-driven environment and having significant cross-sector job placement experience.
Strong knowledge of recruitment and placement techniques, including sourcing strategies, candidate assessment, and interview techniques.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with employers and candidates.
Adequate computer skills; working knowledge of Microsoft, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Must be willing to work in a fast-paced environment with varying demands and achieve set goals.
Ability to obtain and maintain Department of Correction clearance is a plus.
Bilingual in English and Spanish a plus.
Proficiency in using data systems and other recruitment software.
Attending workforce networking events and training to remain informed.
All other duties as assigned.
We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission. Relevant personal experience is a plus.
Physical Demands:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.
