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.

• 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