Director of Programs presso Educational Alliance

Educational Alliance brings together and partners with diverse communities in Lower Manhattan, offering individuals and families high-quality, multi-generational programs and services that enhance their well-being and socioeconomic opportunities. We are a place where everyone is welcome and where progress is powered one relationship at a time. We are proud of our legacy as a Jewish organization and we provide high-quality, transformational services and programs to all New Yorkers through our network of community centers on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and East Village. As we have for 130 years, we offer best-in-class programming–now across 15 sites—focusing on a mix of education, health and wellness, arts and culture, and civic engagement.

Educational Alliance’s Community Schools & Youth Development (CSYD) program delivers high-quality youth development programs throughout the Lower East Side. These services are integrated into the school day, after school programs, and summer enrichment opportunities. Partnering with several NYC public schools, CSYD collaborates with the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD), NYC Office of Community Schools (OCS), The Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), and local school communities to meet the needs of young people and their families in all circumstances. Our team of social workers ensures social-emotional learning is embedded in our work, providing individualized care and attention when needed.

Reporting to the Associate Executive Director the Director of Programs for the Community Schools and Youth Development (CSYD) department is responsible for supporting a strong team, fostering dynamic organizational culture and strengthening our programs and impact in our communities. The Director of Programs will embody and lead CSYD in the execution of its mission and vision, while upholding Educational Alliance’s values. As a member of the CSYD senior leadership team, the Director of Programs is a key liaison between our school-based programs and Educational Alliance internal Operations and Development. This position oversees all program-related activities, provides vision and strategy around future departmental needs, and strengthens staff capacity and organizational culture.

The Director of Programs must be an experienced educator and/or youth developer, a skilled manager capable of working with teams and programs across multiple sites, a seasoned collaborator with a demonstrable history working with various stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes. The position will collaborate with program directors to assess, develop plans, and oversee the Community School and CSYD afterschool programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective and thoughtful leadership by building strong relationships with program directors, students, families, school based teams, and all members of CSYD.
• Provide vision and mission, assisting in the development of a strategic plan. Provide strategy and assistance around the budget for future programming, staffing, training, space, infrastructure and system needs that will help the department more effectively carry out its mission with a focus on continuous quality improvement.
• Oversee recruitment screening potential candidates for interviews, onboarding and coordinating training opportunities. Facilitate weekly orientation for new hires to support in acclimation to the Youth Department and their role.
• In partnership with the CSYD Director of Finance & Operations, foster a work environment that is learning and growing together. Provide training and staff development opportunities for all community school and after-school program staff, building a supportive environment and enhancing the staff’s professional capabilities through training and coaching.
• Work with community school directors and program directors to strengthen programmatic policies and program spaces. Through effective communication and strategic planning, create clear program goals and expectations. Fill in in the absence of a director. Attend site team meetings once a month.
• Develop and or find curriculum and educational practices in conjunction with program staff to support goals.  Create a system to document photos as well as manage CYSD social media handles to capture programming for funding and promotional work.  Organize cross-collaborative opportunities for all club sites. Oversee program logistics, including supply orders, trips, and guest presenters for greater CSYD events and meetings.
• Collaborate with program staff and EA’s Research & Evaluation team, to develop an evaluation system approved by the ED, to assess CSYD school-based programs. Innovate new methodologies and work closely with program directors to ensure and enhance program impact.
• Implement practices and develop new policies that reinforce CSYD’s values, promote professional well-being, staff retention, and long-term sustainability. Reinforce all safety procedures from BGCA are being implemented on a daily basis. Learn and implement the new Daxko system at sites.
• Coordinate with EA’s compliance team to ensure compliance with regulations and contracts across all partner City Agencies, including the Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD), the NYC Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (DOE), and any other partner funders, donors or other initiatives.
• Stay abreast of best practices in community school, afterschool programs and youth development.
• Maintain comprehensive awareness of the requirements set forth by funders, donors, and partner agencies, and ensure strict adherence to all compliance standards.
• Attend internal and external meetings as requested or required by the ED.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this new and critical position successfully, the Director of Programs must be able to fulfill all the elements of the job description to the highest standard and be able to work well with colleagues and stakeholders in a high energy and collaborative work environment. All employees are expected to contribute to ongoing growth and improvement in their departments via excellent job performance and proactive communication.

• · Bachelor degree and a background in youth development, education or similar field is required.
• · Proven track record of effectively leading direct service programs with the ability to leverage staff strengths across program sites; DYCD experience preferred.
• · Strong management and decision-making skills including the ability to influence, engage, and lead others to new levels of effectiveness and programmatic impact.
• · Strong emotional intelligence and ability to coach, mentor, relate and listen to team members.
• · Demonstrated ability to be an analytic and decisive decision maker with the ability to prioritize and communicate to staff key objectives and tactics necessary to achieve organizational goals.
• · Exceptional written, oral and presentation skills with the ability to effectively communicate with senior management, staff, and external stakeholders.
• · Experience in program evaluation as well as knowledge in nonprofit assessment methods and tactics.
• · Demonstrated computer expertise with Microsoft Office tools, Google applications and email applications; and database systems.
• · Self-motivated, results driven, detail oriented, and adaptable.
• · Able to exercise good judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.

Benefits

• Generous PTO Policy
• Competitive Salary
• Medical, Dental & Vision
• Pension Plan
• 403(b) Retirement Plans
• Discount Perks for Movies, Broadway Shows, Amusement Parks, etc.
• Free Gym Membership to our MCC Fitness & 14th St Y Gym
• Discounts to programs at Educational Alliance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Referral Reward

Limitations and Disclaimer

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position.

EEO Info

Educational Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

For further information about Educational Alliance, please visit https://edalliance.org.