Program Manager - Western Iowa

Program Manager
Hybrid Remote within Iowa - west half of state

The Opportunity

Reach Out and Read Midwest is in an exciting period of rapid expansion, reaching close to 84,000 children annually across Nebraska and Iowa through 167,000+ well-child visits. We are growing quickly and need the right person to help us grow well.

You will be the primary relationship holder for Reach Out and Read sites in the western half of Iowa and must reside in this part of the state. You will work in close partnership with the Executive Director and the Eastern Iowa Program Manager.

Your Key Responsibilities Will Include:

• Support High-Quality Program Implementation (60%)   
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with medical providers and clinic staff to support high-fidelity implementation of the Reach Out and Read model.
  • Conduct regular in-person check-ins to assess model adherence, identify strengths and barriers, and develop action plans for continuous quality improvement.
  • Guide new clinics through the application and onboarding process.
  • Partner with clinic teams to enhance parent/caregiver engagement and ensure sustainable program integration.
  • Cultivate champions in clinics and health systems promoting long-term program success.
• Partnership Development and Sustainability (20%)
  • Support local and statewide efforts to integrate Reach Out and Read within early learning and family support systems.
  • Identify and build relationships with community partners to help connect families to local child and family supports through clinic sites, and contribute to the development of literacy-rich environments rooted in community needs.
  • Represent Reach Out and Read at relevant community and coalition meetings, as aligned with organizational goals.
• Program Data and Reporting (10%)
  • Ensure timely and accurate completion of twice-yearly site progress reports; identify and address challenges in reporting.
  • Maintain accurate records in organizational databases and use data to support funding applications, advocacy, and decision-making.
• Book Support and Funding (10%)
  • Assist sites with book selection, ordering, and tracking processes.
  • Provide guidance to clinics on fundraising and identify programs in need of support.
  • Recommend book fund allocations and coordinate distribution of books or funds 

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 are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications and experiences listed below:

• Commitment to increasing equity in opportunity and outcomes for children and to recognizing factors known to significantly impact differential outcomes for children, including race, ethnicity, language, and socio-economic status
• 2–5 years of professional experience in social work, health care, early education, literacy, parenting support, or a related field preferred.
• Experience supporting program implementation, continuous quality improvement, or professional development within health care, education, or family-serving systems.
• Proficiency with electronic communication and productivity tools, including databases, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Enthusiasm for working within diverse teams and communities and a belief in inclusion.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Proven ability to effectively prioritize tasks to meet goals/deadlines
• Valid driver's license and vehicle. (we provide mileage reimbursement)
• Ability to work normal business hours, as well as some early morning, evening, or weekend hours; occasional overnight travel may be required.
• Passion for improving literacy outcomes and helping children succeed

Position Specifications:

This is a full-time (40 hours/wk), remote working, exempt position, located in the western half of Iowa. Regular travel throughout your region up to 40%, plus availability to attend team retreats, site visits, and occasional team meetings in the region as well as national meetings. Some overnight travel will be required to accommodate statewide site visits and other meetings.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary for this position starts at $67,800. Reach Out and Read offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with match, paid time off, and more. 

Timeline and Hiring Process

Applications will close on May 29, 2026. While the timeline is subject to change, candidates moving forward can anticipate an initial review period in early June. Those advancing will have a virtual interview with the Hiring Manager. Finalists will participate in a deeper interview process with members of the Reach Out and Read team and a comprehensive reference check. The anticipated start date for this role is early July 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. Reach Out and Read 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. And, we believe that changing the world begins with holding ourselves and our workplace to that same standard.

About Reach Out and Read:

Reach Out and Read gives young children a foundation for success and reaches 4.6 million children across the country – half of whom identify as BIPOC and two thirds of whom come from low-income families. The nonprofit recently set a strategic goal to double its impact by 2030, to serve 10 million young children — 50 percent of all U.S. children from birth to 5. 

In partnership with a network of clinicians, Reach Out and Read leverages the near-universal reach of the pediatric well-child visit. It uses children's books and shared reading to support parents and caregivers in strengthening healthy relationships with their infants and young children from birth through 5 years old.  

Reach Out and Read works directly with pediatric care providers to share the lifelong benefits of parents reading aloud with their children daily. Nurturing, language-rich interactions like shared reading give young children a foundation for success — building early language and literacy skills; teaching curiosity, patience, and empathy; and creating deep bonds between parents and their children. By integrating our evidence-based model into pediatric care and providing the tools and encouragement families need to read aloud together, we can transform pediatric care practices, foster healthy families and communities, and give children of all backgrounds and means a better start to life. 

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. 

Reach Out and Read 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.