The Opportunity

Reach Out and Read Ohio seeks a mission-driven Program Manager to support and strengthen our network. Across our region, we reach over 165,000 children, distributing more than 270,000 books through 330,000 well-child visits. Working closely with the Ohio Executive Director and team, the Program Manager ensures high-quality program implementation, cultivates clinical and community partnerships, and advances our mission to promote early literacy and health equity.

This role is ideal for a collaborative problem solver who thrives in a dynamic, growing organization. The Program Manager will balance relationship building with data-driven quality improvement, helping clinics deliver impactful literacy experiences for children and families. The position reports to the Ohio Executive Director and works closely with other program staff.

We are especially interested in candidates who are community-centered and bring strong knowledge of Central and Southwest Ohio, including the Greater Columbus area. This role will help strengthen Reach Out and Read’s presence in Central Ohio and deepen engagement with partners and communities in Southwest Ohio—building on our existing networks in Northeast and Northwest Ohio to create a truly statewide impact.

Your Key Responsibilities Will Include:

Program Support and Quality (60%)

Partner with clinic teams to implement the Reach Out and Read model with fidelity and quality.
Conduct virtual and in-person site meetings to assess performance, identify challenges, and create improvement plans.
Build and sustain strong relationships with clinicians, administrators, and health system partners.
Guide new sites through onboarding, training, and implementation.
Provide ongoing communication, technical assistance, and engagement opportunities.

Data and Reporting (20%)

Support clinics in completing biannual progress reports and ensure data accuracy.
Analyze data to inform quality improvement and program performance.
Maintain accurate information in the myROR database and contribute data for reports, funding, and advocacy.

Partnerships and Sustainability (10%)

Collaborate with the Executive Director on regional and statewide partnership initiatives.
Represent Reach Out and Read at community and coalition meetings.
Support clinics in identifying and leveraging local partnership and funding opportunities.

Book Support and Resource Management (10%)

Assist clinics with book ordering and tracking systems.
Manage the equitable allocation and distribution of book funds.
Coordinate book and funding support for clinics as resources allow.

Qualifications and Experience:

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow and excel professionally. We respect this when we review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. We want to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to the work. We’ll honor your lived and professional experience as key aspects of your candidacy for the role and prioritize applicants with experience dismantling the structural inequities that disproportionately impact children and families with traditionally marginalized identities. We are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications and experiences listed below:

Demonstrated experience working in rural and/or under-invested communities, with a deep understanding of the unique strengths, challenges, and opportunities present in these settings.
2+ years of professional experience in healthcare, social work, early education, literacy, or related fields (equivalent education and lived experience considered)
Prior remote work experience strongly preferred with demonstrated ability to work independently, manage time, and stay productive without direct supervision
Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to maintain professionalism across diverse audiences, including busy medical providers
Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, adapt flexibly, and handle unexpected changes
Experience providing program implementation, quality improvement, or professional development support
Success fostering partnerships with diverse stakeholders through inclusive, culturally responsive engagement
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), Zoom, and Slack. Intermediate Excel skills essential
Ability to troubleshoot basic internet and hardware issues independently
Strong organizational skills with ability to plan proactively and manage site visit schedules
Reliable transportation for frequent regional travel within Ohio

Position Specifications:

Full-time (40 hours), remote working, exempt position, located in Ohio. Weekly and/or bi-weekly travel for site visits throughout the assigned geography, plus availability to attend team retreats and one to two national meetings per year is required. Some overnight travel will be required to accommodate meetings (dependent on the assigned geography), and for team retreats and national meetings.

Compensation and Benefits:

The annual salary for this position is $67,800, reflecting Reach Out and Read’s commitment to equitable and competitive pay. ROR offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with match, paid time off, and more.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through our online portal. The interview process will include a preliminary questionnaire followed by a hiring manager interview with the Affiliate Executive Director. Advancing candidates will have a virtual final interview with other members of the Reach Out and Read team. The anticipated start date for this role is early 2026.

Commitment to Diversity:

Reach Out and Read is committed to building an organization that embraces diversity, pursues equity, and fosters an environment of inclusion. ROR sits at the intersection of health and education, uniquely positioned to play a critical role in addressing systemic disparities and inequities in the public health framework. ROR strives to be an antiracist organization, using its influence to fight against social injustice by supporting a culture of learning, empowerment, equity, and a deep appreciation for the unique experiences that we each bring to our communities. And, we believe that changing the world begins with holding ourselves and our workplace to that same standard.

About Reach Out and Read:

Founded in 1989, Reach Out and Read is a national non-profit organization working to ensure all families have the opportunity to create meaningful everyday moments through shared reading aloud and building relationships. By leveraging pediatric care to champion the positive effects of reading daily and distributing books, Reach Out and Read gives young children a foundation for success and reaches 4.4 million children across the county – half of whom identify as BIPOC and two-thirds of whom come from low-income families.

Reach Out and Read’s tens of thousands of trained pediatric providers use books as a diagnostic tool during regular check-ups, and teach parents how to engage their child with a book to promote positive parent-child interactions during the rapid brain growth between birth and age five. The daily practice of

reading aloud with a parent supports children’s literacy and math skill development, their social-emotional development, and prepares them for future success in school. Working together with our sites and providers, we leverage our three decades of expertise, build on our literacy foundations, and engage our shared networks as a catalyst for change, focusing on equitably strengthening and deepening our impact on the children, families, and communities we serve.

The Impact:

Reach Out and Read program sites are located in 6,500 clinics, safety net hospitals, medical systems, and other healthcare settings in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. • Reach Out and Read serves 4.6 million children and their families annually.
More than 7.7 million new, developmentally appropriate books are integrated into well-child visits with families annually.
39,000 clinicians currently participate in Reach Out and Read
Our peer-reviewed body of evidence demonstrates that Reach Out and Read parents are two-and-a-half times more likely to read regularly to their children, and that children experiencing Reach Out and Read show enhanced language development.

To learn more about Reach Out and Read, visit www.reachoutandread.org. ... is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Reach Out and Read is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, cultural heritage, ancestry, political belief, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability or veteran status. Reach Out and Read is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and we are committed to making special accommodations for your interview or work as a member of our team. If specific accommodations are needed, please email HR @ reachoutandread.org and our HR team will work to accommodate your needs.

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