Program Director

About the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation: 

The SCGA Junior Golf Foundation’s mission is to develop an inclusive golf community that enables kids to thrive on & beyond the course. Through its programs, SCGA Junior Golf Foundation works to fulfill its mission by creating affordable access to golf for all youth, teaching smart decision-making skills on and off the course, and developing a culture of healthy lifestyles. 

Founded in 1983, the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation inspires kids by creating a fun, engaged community that develops character through mentorship and empowerment. We create local golf communities that provide a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment for youth to have fun, explore their future, and develop the necessary skills to achieve their goals. 

Join us in making a meaningful impact on young golfers' lives and shaping our organization's future. Apply today and tee up your career with us! 

Job Summary:  

The Program Director is a senior leader responsible for the strategic direction, growth, and operational excellence of SCGA Junior’s core program areas, including Player & Youth Development (PYD), Youth on Course, Enrichment, and Club programming. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality, safe, and impactful experiences that advance SCGA Junior’s mission to provide access and opportunity for youth through golf. 

SCGA Junior’s Player & Youth Development (PYD) program is a holistic junior golf pathway that meets youth where they are and provides everything needed to take the game as far as they choose within their community. PYD serves youth ages 5–17 across all skill levels—from beginners to college-bound players—and includes weekly group instruction, one-on-one coaching, equipment fittings, mentorship and role models, on-course playing opportunities and more. The program is mission-driven and intentionally serves underserved and underreached communities to expand access to the game. 

Club and Enrichment programming complements this pathway by offering opportunities such as college golf summits, careers in golf experiences, tournaments, and outings that deepen engagement and exposure beyond instruction. 

Youth on Course, a national program, provides affordable access to golf by offering $1–$5 course and range access at more than 130 participating facilities across Southern California, serving approximately 16,000 members in the region. 

The Director oversees program design, staffing, partnerships, curriculum development, and evaluation, using data and best practices in youth development to drive continuous improvement and measurable outcomes. As a member of the leadership team, the Director contributes to organizational strategy, supports fundraising and development efforts, and represents SCGA Junior to partners, stakeholders, and the Board of Directors. 

Program Scope and Impact:

• Oversees multiple program verticals serving thousands of youth annually across Southern California 
• Leads a multi-disciplinary team of 16 full-time staff, 60 part-time staff, and volunteers – with three direct reports 
• Manages approximately $3 million program budgets and resources 
• Supports coordination and communication with a large network of golf facilities, schools, and community partners 
• Oversees Youth on Course programming serving approximately 16,000 members in the region 

Key Responsibilities:

 1. Strategic Leadership & Program Growth 

• Lead the strategic planning, development, and expansion of all program areas to increase access, participation, and impact 
• Identify opportunities for innovation and growth aligned with SCGA Junior’s mission and long-term goals 
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate program success and inform decision-making 
• Ensure alignment across programs to deliver a cohesive and high-quality participant experience 

2. Player & Youth Development (PYD) 

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of PYD programming and curriculum 
• Ensure programs reflect best practices in youth development, coaching, and junior golf instruction 
• Maintain a strong focus on participant safety, inclusion, and positive experience 
• Oversee program structure, scheduling, and delivery across multiple sites 

3. Youth on Course, Enrichment & Club Programs 

• Provide leadership and oversight for Youth on Course programming in Southern California, including member growth, engagement, and partner relationships 
• Strengthen relationships with golf courses and facilities to expand access and participation opportunities 
• Oversee Enrichment and Club programming to ensure alignment with organizational goals and participant needs 
• Ensure programs are accessible, equitable, and responsive to community needs 

4. Staff & Team Leadership 

• Recruit, hire, develop, and retain high-performing staff 
• Provide ongoing supervision, coaching, and performance feedback 
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and mission-driven team culture 
• Evaluate staffing structures and make adjustments to support program effectiveness and growth 

5. Positive Youth Development & Impact Measurement 

• Lead the integration of positive youth development principles across all programs 
• Develop and implement systems for tracking participant outcomes and program impact 
• Oversee data collection, analysis, and reporting to inform program improvements and demonstrate impact 
• Ensure consistent training and application of youth development practices across staff 

6. Partnerships & Community Engagement 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with golf facilities, schools, community organizations, and other partners 
• Represent SCGA Junior in the community and at industry events 
• Identify and cultivate new partnership opportunities to expand reach and impact 

7. Organizational Leadership & Development 

• Serve as a key member of the leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy and planning 
• Participate in and present at Board meetings as needed 
• Support fundraising and development efforts, including grant strategy, reporting, and donor engagement 

8. Operations & Administration 

• Oversee program budgets and ensure responsible financial management 
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, safety standards, and risk management practices 
• Support operational systems and processes that enhance program delivery and efficiency 

Personal Competencies:

To perform the job successfully, the Director must demonstrate the following competencies: manages multiple duties under pressure; adheres to deadlines; analyzes analyzes and processes information from a variety of sources in a productive manner; proactively identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; listens to others and solves conflicts; integrates diverse viewpoints and opinions working with staff, the Board of Directors and industry stakeholders; speaks clearly and persuasively and demonstrates group presentation skills; conveys a demeanor that is professional yet approachable; builds teamwork and is supportive of others; adapts well to changes in the work environment and implements effective changes to improve results; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; works within approved budget; prioritizes and plans work activities; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; demonstrates initiative and works well independently; and meets productivity and quality standards of SCGA Junior Golf Foundation. 

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university 
• 5-7 years of youth development, junior golf instruction and curriculum development experience with a demonstrated record of handling multiple projects successfully.  
• Demonstrated management experience (5 years). 
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Must be detailed oriented, well-organized, and have strong analytical and interpersonal skills. 
• Lesson plan development, classroom management experience and youth development training and experience required. 
• Training and experience with LPGA, PGA and/or Titleist Performance Institute Junior Golf Certification, or positive youth development is strongly preferred.  
• First Aid and CPR Training required (or to be obtained within 30 days of hire).  
• Demonstrated passion for youth development and/or junior golf.