Program Director (Character Development)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: Senior Program Director

Posted Date: April 2, 2026

Position Description:

The Program Director (Character Development) at the Kentucky YMCA Youth Association is responsible for leading, managing, and executing the logistics, vendor relationships, event planning, and team/project management for our flagship character development, service, advocacy, and leadership programs. These include Commonwealth Teen Advocates (CTA), GoFor It (GFI), Leadership Training Conference (LTC), and Y-Corps. This role is critical to developing, preparing, and implementing statewide and local programs, ensuring high-quality experiences for all participants.

Reporting directly to the Senior Program Director, the Program Director (Character

Development) allocates people and resources efficiently and provides strategic guidance to program teams during major conferences and events. Additionally, this position ensures documentation of best practices, develops standard operating procedures and leads strategic program planning throughout the year. With a focus on advocacy, servant leadership, civic engagement, and character development, the Director ensures that our programs align with the organization’s mission and goals.

In addition to overseeing character development programs, this role provides on-site leadership for other programs, including the Kentucky Youth Assembly (KYA) and the Kentucky United Nations Assembly (KUNA). It supports the implementation of youth government and Model United Nations initiatives by overseeing logistics and directing staff and volunteers during events when the Civic Engagement Director is absent. This person will assist with other conference tasks at KYA and KUNA.

Essential Functions:

1. Lead and direct the staff team in preparation for character development, service, and advocacy conferences and programs, ensuring a well-structured planning strategy.
2. Manage communication with venues to review and finalize banquet event orders for all program dates.
3. Oversee Commonwealth Teen Advocates (CTA) through curriculum development, logistics, team management, venue logistics, and county director training.
4. Provide support and encouragement to staff across all programming areas.
5. Lead the character development programs (LTC and GFI) by managing agendas and staff teams to ensure successful implementation.
6. Ensure the integration of character development principles into all aspects of staff, volunteer, and student engagement.
7. Manage staff schedules for significant programs and collaborate with the Volunteer Coordinator to schedule volunteers for events.
8. Oversee the event planning, management, logistics, vendor relations, marketing, and staff coordination for statewide advocacy and character development programs.
9. Assist the onsite director for the Kentucky Youth Assembly (KYA) and the Kentucky United Nations Assembly (KUNA), ensuring smooth event execution through staff and volunteer leadership.
10. Lead event planning, logistics, and team management for various local and statewide programs.
11. Supervise staffing, logistics, and student-led programming elements for the Y-Corps service experience.
12. Create and analyze program impact reports, track spending trends, and implement insights for improvement.
13. Maintain and manage program budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility across programs.
14. Act as a primary support for Kentucky YMCA programs, including (but not limited to) KYA, KUNA, LTC, GFI, Y-Corps, CTA, Officer Retreat, local initiatives, and national teen conferences.
15. Build and sustain relationships with statewide community partners for youth advocacy and other programming needs.
16. Travel regularly to Kentucky YMCA offices (Frankfort and Louisville), conference venues, and other locations across the state, with 25% of the time away from home, including overnight stays during conferences. Reliable transportation is required.
17. Be available for weekend and evening work during conference seasons and specific programs, with the potential for 40-50 nights away from home annually.

Qualifications and Experience Required:

1. Must be 21 years or older.
2. Minimum of two years of professional experience, preferably in the nonprofit sector.
3. At least two years of experience in event planning, with a strong track record of successful program development and management.
4. Demonstrated project management experience, with the ability to lead teams and manage multiple responsibilities.
5. Strong experience in staff directorship and management.
6. Excellent public speaking and professional presentation skills.
7. Ability to independently manage projects while also collaborating effectively within teams.
8. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.
9. Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and time management abilities.
10. Ability to quickly adapt to changing project priorities and needs.
11. Capable of lifting up to 35 pounds, maintaining sustained mobility, and demonstrating high energy during extended events.
12. Must have reliable transportation and be available to travel up to 25% of the year, including overnight stays.
13. Clear communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to relate to diverse groups of people and build constructive relationships.
14. Understanding of the YMCA’s mission and the roles of both staff and volunteers in achieving it.
15. Commitment to the Kentucky YMCA’s anti-racist, multicultural, pro-equity values and a diverse, inclusive workplace.

Benefits:

1. Salary minimum: $43,888 annually
2. Fully paid health, vision, and dental insurance for employees and dependents.
3. Fully paid life insurance for the employee.
4. Company contribution to Y-USA retirement fund after vesting.
5. Immediate access to a 403b investment fund.
6. Opportunities for professional development through Y-USA and other related training programs.
7. Competitive paid time off (PTO) and holiday policies.
8. A flexible, results-oriented work environment with many remote work options.
9. Collaborative and supportive staff culture focused on professional growth, high-impact programs, and celebrating successes.
10. Mileage reimbursement at the state rate (for travel exceeding the personnel policy limits, excluding commute to Frankfort office).
11. KY YMCA-provided laptop for work use.
12. Monthly cell phone stipend.
13. Additional benefits are offered through payroll providers.

Important Deadlines

-Application Opens: 4/2

-Application Closes: 4/17

-Offer to be Made: 5/1-5/4

For more information and to apply, click here.