Director, Friendship Programs bei Best Buddies International

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Best Buddies is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.

Position Title: Director, Friendship Programs 

Department: State Operations and Programs

Reports to: Senior Director, Friendship Programs

# Direct Reports: 0

Salary Range: $60,000-$70,000

Position Overview:  The Director of Friendship Programs provides national oversight, implementation, and support for Best Buddies’ school- and community-based friendship programs (elementary through adult/Citizens). This role ensures consistent program delivery, quality benchmarks, and field support by leading training, analyzing program data, and supporting staff nationwide. The Director serves as the internal expert on friendship program models and collaborates with field staff and HQ teams to scale, support, and strengthen inclusive friendship programming across the country.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in nonprofit program management and program development, preferably with youth- or volunteer-led models (Best Buddies experience a plus).
• Superior project management skills - including planning, analysis, decision making, and problem solving - and willingness to multitask.
• Superior initiative, drive for results, self-assessment skills, and ability to lead individuals and teams in setting and achieving challenging goals

• Demonstrated experience establishing, building, and maintaining partnerships and relationships with a group of people with common yet divergent perspectives

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to exert influence, inspire others, and articulate the mission, goals, and activities of Best Buddies with passion and enthusiasm.

• Must be highly dependable, lead by example and be willing/able to adapt management style to fit the situation and hold staff accountable for meeting set expectations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Zoom, and CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce).

• Willingness to travel and work occasional evenings/weekends.
• Valid driver’s license and auto insurance meeting required coverage limits.

 Job Duties include, but are not limited to:

Programs

• Provide strategic support to state teams to grow and strengthen Best Buddies Friendship programs (elementary, middle, high school, college, & Citizens).
• Work with the Senior Director, Friendship to lead the development and dissemination of updated policies, trainings, and best practices to ensure consistency and quality across programs.
• Monitor program metrics, chapter health, and one-to-one match quality across regions; identify areas for improvement and develop solutions in partnership with state teams.
• Serve as a point of contact for Friendship-related field inquiries, offering technical assistance and coaching to program staff.
• Work collaboratively with the online programs and mission operations team to maintain trainings and resources (on BBU, Programs Library, etc.); develop new resources to support program operations and membership
• Ensure resources are working in alignment with all program teams and department leaders; regularly distribute information on program development, implementation, and key messages 
• Partner with Senior Director, Friendship in drafting messages to staff and volunteer community regarding announcements, changes in policy and program guidelines
• Work with Senior Director, Friendship to design and deliver onboarding and ongoing training for Friendship program staff, including virtual learning series, onboarding cohorts, and in-person retreats.
• Collaborate with the national program and conferences teams to enhance and develop the education curriculum for Leadership Conference and other programmatic events and campaigns  relating to Friendship programs
• Travel to state offices to meet with local staff to evaluate program implementation, conduct trainings, and reinforce program standards by providing coaching and support
• Support recruitment and launch of new friendship programs by developing campaign strategies, advisor toolkits, and chapter expansion plans.
• Identify and respond to national trends in volunteer management, school clubs, and inclusive education that impact friendship programming.
• Collaborate with other HQ program pillars (Jobs, Leadership, Living, Transitions, Family Support) to align field-facing strategy and cross-train staff.
• Participate in cross-functional work groups and projects as assigned by the VP of Programs.

Marketing

• Collaborate with the national programs, and marketing and communications, teams to effectively integrate friendship programs and participants into marketing initiatives and highlight program successes for increased visibility.
• Assist the national marketing and communications teams as requested in maintaining national media presence related to programs and programmatic events, including social media and the various BBI online and print publications
• Support efforts to secure funding to develop programmatic quality and research by working with various fund development teams as requested

Best Buddies® is an affirmative action employer, in addition to an EOE and M/F/V/PWD/PV employer. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational to Best Buddies International’s core values and help the organization continue to achieve its mission. Here at Best Buddies, our goal is to lead and advocate for a more inclusive world.

Best Buddies offers a comprehensive and generous benefits program that include financial security, health and wellness and time off.