The Obama Foundation is inviting applications for the position of Program Associate, Voyager Scholarship, a full-time remote opportunity based in Illinois, United States. This role offers an exciting opportunity for professionals passionate about youth leadership development, scholarship programming, student engagement, and social impact. Applications are open until 8 October 2026. About the Obama Foundation The Obama Foundation works to inspire, empower, and connect people to create positive change in their communities and around the world. Guided by values such as courage, empathy, integrity, accountability, inclusivity, resilience, and hope, the Foundation develops programs that equip emerging leaders with the skills and networks needed to address societal challenges. The Voyager Scholarship Program is one of the Foundation’s flagship initiatives designed to support and develop the next generation of leaders. Through leadership training, mentorship, networking opportunities, and career development resources, the program helps students strengthen their capacity to drive meaningful change. Position Overview The Program Associate, Voyager Scholarship will play a key role in designing, coordinating, and delivering leadership development programming for college students participating in the Voyager Scholarship Program. The successful candidate will support both virtual and in-person learning experiences that focus on values-based leadership, bridge-building, storytelling, career readiness, and personal development. Working closely with the Deputy Director and other program staff, the Program Associate will help ensure that participants receive high-quality support and engagement throughout their scholarship journey. Key Responsibilities The selected candidate will lead the implementation of monthly virtual programming sessions for Voyager Scholars. This includes curriculum coordination, scheduling, technology management, speaker engagement, participant communication, and overall session facilitation. The role also involves serving as the primary point of contact for a cohort of approximately 100 scholarship participants. The Program Associate will build strong relationships with students, monitor engagement levels, and provide individualized support to help participants achieve their leadership and professional development goals. Additional responsibilities include: Coordinating leadership development programming and student engagement activities. Developing and distributing weekly newsletters and participant communications. Supporting recruitment, outreach, application review, and scholarship selection processes. Managing relationships with vendors, consultants, and external program partners. Assisting with contracts, invoicing, procurement processes, and budget reconciliation. Coordinating event logistics, travel arrangements, scheduling, and technology support. Contributing to monitoring, evaluation, learning, and impact measurement activities. Supporting storytelling initiatives that highlight participant achievements and program outcomes. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to improve operational efficiency and program effectiveness. Required Qualifications The Obama Foundation is seeking candidates with demonstrated experience in leadership development, scholarship administration, youth engagement, or related fields. Applicants should possess: Two to three years of experience designing and facilitating leadership development, scholarship, or educational programs for young people. Experience providing mentorship, coaching, student support, or career guidance. Knowledge of equitable recruitment, application review, and participant selection processes. Strong project management and organizational skills. Experience managing vendors, contracts, events, and operational workflows. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Familiarity with Design, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (DMEL) frameworks and impact measurement. Experience collecting, analyzing, and presenting program data and outcomes. The ability to build relationships and foster community among diverse participant groups. Flexibility to work occasional evening hours to accommodate student schedules. Salary and Benefits The Obama Foundation offers a competitive compensation package for this position. The salary range is US$59,755 to US$74,670 per year, depending on qualifications and experience. In addition to salary, employees have access to a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, and other employee support programs designed to promote wellbeing and professional growth. Why This Opportunity Matters This position provides a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the most recognized leadership development initiatives supporting emerging changemakers. Professionals working in this role will directly influence the growth and success of scholarship recipients while helping strengthen leadership pipelines for future generations. The position also offers valuable experience in program management, stakeholder engagement, leadership education, impact measurement, and nonprofit operations. Individuals passionate about youth empowerment, education, social impact, and leadership development will find this role particularly rewarding. How to Strengthen an Application Prospective applicants should highlight experience working with students, scholars, youth leaders, or community-based programs. Demonstrating success in program coordination, participant engagement, event management, and impact evaluation can strengthen an application. Candidates are encouraged to showcase examples of leadership development initiatives they have supported, curriculum they have designed, partnerships they have managed, or data-driven approaches they have used to measure program success. Strong applications should also emphasize communication skills, relationship-building abilities, and experience working in collaborative and fast-paced environments. Application Deadline Applications for the Program Associate, Voyager Scholarship position must be submitted by 8 October 2026. How to Apply Interested candidates should submit their applications through the Obama Foundation’s official careers platform before the application deadline. Applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements and prepare all supporting materials in advance. 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