Back to jobs
New

Manager, Community Ambassador Programs

Mather HQ (Evanston, IL)

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 salary range provided is a good faith estimate of what Mather reasonably expects to pay for this position at the time of the posting. The actual salary rate offered will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to relevant skills, certifications, years of experience, geographic location, and current market conditions. At Mather, we are committed to being inclusive, resilient, bold, and impactful—and that includes offering a total rewards experience designed to support our team members. This position may be eligible to participate in Mather’s benefit plan and Holiday Bonus, if applicable. Eligibility for benefits is dependent on employment status and hours worked per pay period. Participation in the Holiday Bonus is not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hire date and program eligibility requirements. All benefits are subject to change without notice.

Salary Pay Range

$82,000 - $87,000 USD

Benefits

Mather offers a competitive benefits package.*

Team members are eligible for:

  • A generous paid time off (PTO) program including vacation days/personal days, sick days, and holidays. This is an “earn-as-you-go” plan that rolls over year to year, offering long- and short-term flexibility.
  • A 401(k) program with per pay-period employer match and annual employer contribution (available to those age 21 or better)
  • Convenient, subsidized parking (or public transportation for certain locations)
  • Wellness Spending Account: up to $300 available annually for Wellness related expenses such as gym memberships, financial planning, etc. 

Benefits-eligible team members can take advantage of:

  • Medical, dental, and vision plans
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Adoption Assistance Reimbursement
  • Tuition reimbursement for continuing education
  • Extended illness benefits
  • Employee wellness programs
  • Short- and long-term disability insurance
  • Life insurance is available to benefit eligible team members.

*Benefits are subject to change without notice. Benefits details dependent on employment status.

About Mather

Based in Evanston, Illinois, Mather is a unique, non-denominational, not-for-profit organization founded in 1941. Dedicated to developing and implementing Ways to Age WellSM, we create programs, places, and residences for today’s young-at-heart older adults. Mather has received a national certification as a Great Place to Work®, and has been selected as a Nation’s Best and Brightest in Wellness Award recipient four years in a row.

Mather is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to an inclusive workforce. Candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

Locations include: The Mather in Evanston, Mather Place, The Mather Tysons, Mather HQ, Splendido, Mather Institute, Community Initiatives

Which type of employment do you desire? *
Select...

Please share the first and last name of the person who referred you (If Applicable)

Please provide 2–3 professional references.
Your references must be supervisors, managers, or higher-level roles who you directly reported to. For each reference, include:

  • First and last name
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Place of employment (where you worked under them)
  • Dates you reported to them

DO NOT INCLUDE References from colleagues/co-workers, friends, family, or personal contacts.

Select...

I certify that the statements made in this application are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that falsification or omission of pertinent information shall be sufficient cause for refusal of employment or dismissal, no matter when discovered. Permission is hereby granted to thoroughly investigate my work and personal history and verify all data given on this application, on related papers, and in interviews. I authorize all individuals, references, schools, and firms named herein, except my current employer if so noted, to provide any information requested about me; and I release them from all liability for potential damages in connection with providing this information.
I understand that this application is not a contract of employment and that, if hired, my employment will be on an at-will basis. I further understand that to be employed, I must be lawfully authorized to work in the United States, and I must provide documents that will establish this to Mather.
Mather is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace. I understand that any job offer is conditioned upon satisfactory completion of all required pre-employment screenings. I understand that completing this application does not obligate Mather to hire me.
Mather is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other status protected by law. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Any applicant who requires a reasonable accommodation of a disability in order to participate in the hiring process should notify Human Resources.