Director of Programs

Summary

The Program Director leads and supports the Program Department to ensure the effective delivery of high-quality services to youth, families, and volunteers in accordance with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) standards. This position oversees day-to-day program operations, supervises Match Support Specialists, ensures department metrics are met, maintains compliance with all national and agency guidelines, and drives continuous improvement efforts. The Program Director plays a key leadership role in strategic planning, data-informed decision making, and cross-departmental collaboration to strengthen outcomes and support agency growth.

Position Abilities/Competencies:

Strategic Leadership & Program Operations

Define and communicate a clear strategic vision for program delivery aligned with agency goals and BBBSA national standards.

Make informed, data-driven decisions that strengthen program outcomes and support long-term sustainability.

Lead organizational and programmatic change initiatives, ensuring staff understanding and alignment.

Use program performance data to identify trends, anticipate needs, and drive continuous improvement.

Maintain deep knowledge of BBBS standards, translating industry best practices into strategic guidance and operational alignment. Operational Excellence & Governance

Oversee complex, cross-functional program initiatives with strong project and program management discipline.

Identify inefficiencies and implement scalable, sustainable process improvements.

Manage departmental budgets and contribute to long-range financial planning.

Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, ethical, and grant-related requirements.

Identify and mitigate operational and strategic risks through proactive risk assessment.

Develop, implement, and enforce organizational policies tied to program quality and compliance.

Establish expectations and systems to ensure accurate, timely, and high-quality documentation and data management. Team Leadership, Coaching & Talent Development

In partnership with Human Resources, recruit, hire, onboard, and retain a mission-driven, high-performing team.

Set clear goals and build a culture of accountability, learning, and excellence.

Mentor staff through complex case situations, building professional judgment and problem-solving capacity.

Navigate interpersonal or team conflicts constructively, promoting a respectful, and collaborative environment. Quality Assurance, Compliance & Partnership Stewardship

Lead continuous improvement efforts to enhance match support quality and ensure strong youth outcomes.

Monitor program trends, data, and performance metrics to guide strategic coaching and escalation pathways.

Conduct partner and school engagement visits to assess fidelity, strengthen relationships, and reinforce expectations.

Ensure documentation, systems, and deliverables meet internal policies, grant requirements, and BBBSA national benchmarks.

Collaborate with Impact/Quality teams to refine data tools (e.g., Matchforce), enhancing functionality, accuracy, and staff usability. Strategic Planning & Cross-Agency Collaboration

Partner with senior leadership to guide strategic program growth, departmental planning, and long-term budget priorities.

Serve as a subject matter expert on committees, workgroups, and initiatives that advance agency-wide goals.

Collaborate with the Impact team to strengthen data integrity, support evaluation, and inform outcome measurement.

Share program insights with Development, Marketing, and Community Engagement teams to support volunteer recruitment, partnerships, and visibility.

Identify opportunities for volunteer re-engagement, new partnerships, and broad community collaboration. Communication, Influence & Stakeholder Experience

Communicate effectively with ELT leadership, the Board (as needed), and external partners.

Foster trust and alignment across departments by engaging authentically and collaboratively.

Use active listening to understand concerns, improve staff relationships, and strengthen organizational culture.

Champion a high-quality, relationship-centered experience for youth, families, volunteers, partners, and schools.

Address escalated issues with empathy, strategic thinking, and solutions-oriented judgment.

Model BBBSCO's core values in all internal and external interactions. Innovation, Growth & Technology Fluency

Identify emerging opportunities for program innovation, expansion, and community impact.

Align program initiatives with the needs of youth, families, volunteers, and market trends.

Leverage technology and digital tools to improve program efficiency, data quality, and staff workflows. Additional Responsibilities

Represent the agency at key events, trainings, and community engagements, including occasional evening and weekend commitments.

Perform additional leadership responsibilities as assigned to advance organizational priorities. Requirements

Must possess a minimum of a bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Education, Public Administration, or a related field. Relevant hands-on experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Must possess a minimum of 4-5 years of management experience supervising direct reports.

Must be willing and able to travel when necessary

Must be willing and able to work with diverse populations in diverse territories

Must be willing and able to make last minute changes to accommodate job responsibilities

Must have viable transportation, valid drivers' license to meet job responsibilities

Must be available to attend events in the early morning, evening and weekends