Salary:  $78,000.00 – $86,000.00 per year 

This is a full-time position.

Duties

Saint Paul Promise (SPP) advances life-long learning through a cradle-to-career approach. We partner with schools, higher education institutions, employers, and community organizations to promote equitable college access, career readiness, and postsecondary success for young people and families.

The Co-Lab Manager leads the strategy, design, and execution of Co-Lab, a workforce innovation hub connecting young adults to hands-on career experiences, supportive resources, and employer networks. This role ensures fidelity to the Co-Lab model—grounded in co-creation with young adults, continuous improvement through participant feedback, and responsiveness to workforce and employer needs.

The Manager provides strategic leadership while overseeing day-to-day operations, staff supervision, partnerships, evaluation, and resource development. The ideal candidate is a systems-level thinker who is equally comfortable leading strategy, managing relationships, and executing high-quality programming.

Job Qualifications

The ideal candidate brings 7+ years of experience leading workforce, education, or community-based programs, with a strong track record of managing teams, contractors, and cross-functional partners. They have demonstrated success in fundraising, partnership development, and program evaluation, and are skilled at communicating effectively with diverse audiences—including funders, employers, and young adults. This role requires a deep understanding of workforce development and career readiness systems, the ability to translate strategy into operational excellence, and experience overseeing complex projects and people. A commitment to trauma-informed leadership and inclusive program design is essential, with the capacity to create environments where participants, partners, and staff feel supported, respected, and empowered to succeed. Familiarity with the Frogtown, Rondo, and Summit-University neighborhoods and Saint Paul Public Schools is strongly valued.

About Wilder 

When you work at Wilder, you will join a diverse community of passionate individuals who are committed to the Wilder mission and dedicated to serving whole families. Our workplace diversity strengthens our mission and contributes to our vision of individuals and families thriving in St. Paul and beyond.

 We offer a dynamic Total Rewards package, which includes competitive compensation and benefits – health, dental, employer-matched 401(k), PTO, paid family, medical and caregiver leave, life insurance, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts and employee wellness programs. In addition, you will have access to professional development opportunities, including development funding, tuition discounts, and training. You will also have access to Wilder's employee resource groups, and other opportunities available to all employees. Eligible federal loans may also qualify for deferment through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). 

The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation is a nonprofit community organization that creates lasting, positive change through direct services, research and advocacy. Learn more at https://www.wilder.org/

Online Application Information

Our application system works best using Chrome and attaching documents in PDF or Word format. Postings close at midnight Eastern Standard Time.

There are four sections to the application process, please follow these instructions carefully: 

1. Contact information. Be sure to fill out all of the required fields (marked with a red *).
2. Verification of email address. Enter the code sent to your email address.
3. Enter Address
4. Resume and cover letter section. First upload your resume in the resume section then upload your cover letter and any other required documents mentioned in the job posting in the second upload area.
5. Questions. Answer “How did you hear about this job/posting?” question and other required questions if applicable. 
6. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Questions (EEO). We are required to ask these questions to meet state and federal compliance requirements. Your response is voluntary. If you prefer not to answer these questions you can skip them but you must check the box labeled “I have read the above invitation to self-identify as an individual with a disability”
7. Review and Edit. Here you can review and edit sections as necessary.

Job offers will be contingent on the successful applicants’ proof of authorization to work in the United States and the results of a background check related to the job requirements. 

Wilder is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the Amherst H Wilder foundation to provide an equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons.