Deputy Director, Programs at 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.

 Job Title:  Deputy Director, Programs

Department:  State Operations and Programs

Reports to: State Director

# of direct reports: 3-6

Position Overview: The Deputy Director, Programs is primarily responsible for assisting the director, programs in managing the maintenance, consistency, and uniformity of national school friendship and adult friendship as well as the development and execution of new national program initiatives. This position is responsible for supporting field staff with program needs to ensure consistency and quality management of programs nationwide. 

Job Qualifications – Qualified applicants must have:

• Volunteer management/supervisory experience, and superior talent-building and team-building skills
• Bachelor’s degree and at least three years of program management and program development experience 
• Exceptional project management skills including planning, analysis, decision making, and problem solving –  and willingness to multitask
• Superior ability to transfer abstract ideas into concrete written materials
• Superior initiative, drive for results, and self-assessment skills, and ability to lead individuals and teams in setting and achieving challenging goals
• Must be highly dependable, lead by example, and be willing/able to adapt support style to fit the situation and hold staff accountable for meeting set expectations. 
• Superior presentation skills with the ability to exert influence, inspire others, and articulate the mission, goals, and activities of Best Buddies with passion and enthusiasm
• Frequent local and national travel required; availability to travel and work nights and weekends as required
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and database programs

Job Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Oversees maintenance and development of programmatic resources and materials for program team members and field staff as assigned on a project basis
• Meets regularly with state operations, state development, and expansion and training teams to exchange information on program development, implementation, and key messages for the field staff with regard to announcements, changes in policy, new initiatives, and program guidelines
• Participates in collaborative efforts with the state operations and expansion and training teams for common/systemic challenges within existing programs as they arise
• Travels to state offices as needed to meet with local staff, see operations and programs in action, develop strategies, and provide coaching and support
• Collaborates with state operations teams and HQ programs team to ensure appropriate implementation of programs in all states in regions, including coaching field staff, and developing benchmarks for programmatic success 
• Supports and/or manages the development of education training curriculum for staff and program participants for annual conferences, and assists with other conference projects as needed
• Works collaboratively with the online programs team to maintain BBO forms and reports for current programs and to develop new forms and resources for program initiatives
• Works with director, programs on strategies for appropriately incorporating programmatic staff and volunteers into marketing/branding efforts, and leveraging programmatic successes to increase visibility
• Manages and utilizes program leaders and other field staff for collaboration on programmatic issues and other national committee needs
• Collaborate with department to provide adequate trainings and support for implementation of pilot programs and other new initiatives
• Assists director, programs in maintaining national media presence related to programs and programmatic events, including social media and the various BBI online and print publications
• Assists director, programs with maintaining an accurate and updated programmatic calendar for national programs
• Provides evaluation and assessment of new initiatives and current programs by collecting program data and adjusting program strategies and materials as needed

Human Resources 

• Directly supervises staff- responsible for staff development, oversight, and providing meaningful performance feedback, as well as holding them accountable for meeting all development and operational goals, hitting benchmarks, and following best practices and guidelines.

• Inspires and motivates staff by demonstrating personal commitment and integrity and providing proactive training, support and recognition.
• Responsible for all human resources related activities within the team.  Understands, follows and reinforces human resources policies in a consistent manner.

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.