Program Director

Job Title: Program Director

Work Schedule: Primarily in person, with limited hybrid flexibility

Salary Range: $65,000–$75,000

Reports to: Executive Director

About Read to Grow

Now in its 26th year, Read to Grow is a Connecticut-based early literacy nonprofit working statewide to make sure children and families have access to books, early literacy support, and joyful reading experiences from the very beginning.

Read to Grow’s work is rooted in the belief that families are their children’s first and most important teachers, and that all children deserve books of their own. We partner with hospitals, clinics, schools, libraries, community organizations, volunteers, and families to promote a strong culture of early literacy across Connecticut.

As Read to Grow continues to grow and evolve, we are excited about what comes next and the opportunity to deepen our impact while keeping children, families, and the joy of books at the center of the work.

To learn more, visit .

Position Overview

Read to Grow is seeking an experienced, thoughtful, and highly organized Program Director to provide strategic leadership, oversight, and continuous improvement for Read to Grow's statewide literacy and family engagement programs including Books for Babies, Books for Kids and the Bookmobile. This position is responsible for ensuring high-quality program delivery, expanding community partnerships, managing program staff, evaluating outcomes, and advancing the organization's mission and vision.

Working closely with the Executive Director, leadership team and program staff, the Program Director supports and develops innovative programming, strengthens relationships with community partners and ensures that all programs are responsive to community needs and organizational goals. The role requires both big-picture thinking and hands-on program leadership. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who cares deeply about children, families, books, and community-based work. As Read to Grow continues to grow and evolve, we are looking for someone eager to help shape what comes next while keeping the joy and power of books at the center of the work.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Operations

• Participate in organizational strategic planning and implementation and serve as a thought partner to the Executive Director on program strategy, growth, systems, staffing capacity, and resource needs.
• Oversee the planning, coordination, and day-to-day operations of Books for Babies, Books for Kids, and Bookmobile.
• Support program staff with program activities, partner communication, book distribution, scheduling, inventory needs, and logistics.
• Manage program spending in collaboration with the Executive Director, track program-related expenses, and make recommendations about resource allocation.
• Help ensure each program has the tools, systems, staffing, and resources needed to operate effectively.
• Identify emerging trends and best practices in early childhood literacy and family engagement.

Staff Supervision and Cross-Team Support

• Supervise, mentor, and support program managers, coordinators, and other program staff.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven team culture.
• Conduct performance evaluations and support professional development.
• Support hiring, onboarding and training for program staff as needed.
• Work with the Executive Director to ensure appropriate staffing and effective allocation of program resources.
• Lead monthly All Teams meetings, including creating agendas, gathering updates, identifying discussion items, and supporting follow-up.
• Support communication across programs and internal teams, including development, communications, finance, and operations.

Partnerships & Events

• Build and maintain relationships with hospitals, clinics, schools, libraries, early childhood programs, community organizations, volunteers, and other partners.
• Serve as a key contact for program-related partner questions, opportunities, and concerns.
• Represent Read to Grow at community events, meetings, conferences, and partner gatherings as needed.
• Lead the planning and implementation of Read to Grow’s biannual Family Day events, including logistics, family engagement activities, promotion, data collection, and follow-up.
• Identify opportunities for collaborative initiatives and strategic partnerships.

Data, Systems, and Program Improvement

• Monitor program activity, outcomes, and impact through data collection, tracking, and analysis.
• Prepare program updates, reports, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the Executive Director and development team to support grant applications, grant reports, impact updates, and funder communication.
• Support the use and ongoing improvement of program systems and workflows, including databases, shared files, forms, calendars.
• Use staff feedback, partner input, program data, and community needs to recommend and implement improvements.
• Help ensure program materials and family-facing resources are clear, accessible, welcoming, and aligned with Read to Grow’s mission.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in program management, nonprofit leadership, education, early childhood, literacy, family engagement, or a related field.
• Experience supervising program staff, coordinating teams, or leading program implementation.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities across several program areas.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with staff, volunteers, partners, families, and community stakeholders.
• Experience using data to track program activity, support reporting, and inform decision-making.
• Commitment to early literacy, educational equity, family engagement, and access to books for all children.
• Bachelor’s degree in education, nonprofit management, public administration, social work, early childhood, literacy, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a nonprofit organization.
• Experience with early literacy, early childhood education, family engagement, or community-based programming.
• Experience managing programs across multiple sites or partner organizations.
• Experience with databases, CRM systems, Odoo, Salesforce, or similar platforms.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills are a plus.

Benefits

Read to Grow offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plan, mileage reimbursement for work travel, paid time off, and a flexible schedule.

Work Environment

This position is primarily office-based with some remote work possible. Occasional travel throughout Connecticut to partner sites, community meetings, and organizational events. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Read to Grow is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are valued and respected, and we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Please Note

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position. Responsibilities may shift over time based on organizational needs, program priorities, and available resources.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan

Ability to Commute:

• Branford, CT 06405 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $65,000 - $75,000