Manager, Community Ambassador Programs

At Mather, a nationally recognized wellness-focused organization, we believe healthy aging thrives through connection, purpose, lifelong learning, and meaningful community engagement. Through our Community Initiatives team, we bring innovative wellness, educational, social, creative, and volunteer opportunities to older adults throughout Chicagoland, creating pathways for engagement, personal growth, and lifelong connection. We are seeking a dynamic and entrepreneurial Manager, Community Ambassador Programs to help shape the future of community-based aging services. In this new role, you will design, pilot, and scale an innovative “Older Adults as Contributors” model that empowers adults age 55+ to serve as volunteers, peer leaders, facilitators, and community connectors. Building upon a strong foundation of volunteer program management, you will create sustainable pathways that transform participants into contributors and ambassadors, expanding program reach, strengthening community partnerships, and building community-powered models that support healthy aging across Chicago. This role is ideal for a relationship-builder, program innovator, and community champion who is passionate about unlocking the talents, experiences, and leadership potential of older adults. You will lead the design and growth of ambassador and peer-led program models, develop scalable program formats and facilitator playbooks, launch and refine pilot initiatives, and expand community impact through volunteer-led and ambassador-driven programming. In addition, you will recruit, train, support, and deploy volunteers and ambassadors across programs, partner sites, and neighborhoods while fostering a positive, inclusive, and engaging volunteer experience that empowers older adults to make meaningful contributions in their communities. This is a full-time, salaried hybrid position that combines strategic program development, relationship management, and community engagement. The role requires regular travel throughout Chicagoland to support community partnerships, volunteer engagement, ambassador-led programming, and organizational initiatives. Must possess a valid driver's license and reliable personal transportation, or have the ability to arrange alternate reliable transportation, to travel to Mather Headquarters (Evanston, IL) and off-site locations (throughout Chicagoland) for daily essential job functions. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Ambassador Program Design & Growth Design and pilot a model for connecting older adults to opportunities whereby they may contribute to supporting programs or offerings. These contributions may include lower commitment opportunities such as serving as a greeter, prepping program supplies, or assisting a program facilitator, as well as higher commitment opportunities, such as ambassador/peer facilitator roles. Develop and pilot ambassador-led, peer-led cohort models Develop repeatable program formats and facilitator playbooks Launch pilot programs and refine for scalability Expand program reach through peer-led delivery Volunteer Recruitment, Training, & Oversight Recruit and schedule volunteers across CI programs Develop and deploy volunteer training program Deploy ambassadors across partner sites and neighborhoods. Ensure quality and consistency in delivery of volunteer-led programming. Foster a positive and inclusive volunteer experience Measurement & Reporting Track volunteer engagement and participation. Prepare reports for leadership. QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS Required Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. 3+ years experience managing volunteers or programs. Exceptional communication and facilitation skills. Experience working with older adults Ability to build scalable programs Ability to travel throughout Chicagoland Preferred Experience with ambassador or peer-led models. Experience working with communities, particularly on the South and West Sides of Chicago Experience with program development and evaluation. The s…