What are the responsibilities and job description for the Youth Program Director position at YMCA of the USA?
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA is seeking to hire a Youth Program Director!
Job Description
The Program Director I is responsible for leading and growing programs that reflect the YMCA’s mission and serve community needs. This role includes supervising and developing part-time staff and volunteers, managing program operations and budgets, and ensuring a positive and high-quality experience for participants. The Program Director also builds partnerships with community organizations and supports outreach, marketing, and fundraising initiatives to strengthen engagement and impact.
Qualifications
Program Leadership
Take on other duties as assigned to support the YMCA’s mission and evolving priorities.
This job description may be modified when appropriate by Human Resources.
Program Specific Responsibilities
Job Description
The Program Director I is responsible for leading and growing programs that reflect the YMCA’s mission and serve community needs. This role includes supervising and developing part-time staff and volunteers, managing program operations and budgets, and ensuring a positive and high-quality experience for participants. The Program Director also builds partnerships with community organizations and supports outreach, marketing, and fundraising initiatives to strengthen engagement and impact.
Qualifications
- Degree in related field preferred and 1 year of related experience.
- Passion for building community and fostering meaningful relationships through programs and services.
- Experience supporting program delivery and staff development in a team-based environment.
- Ability to coordinate staff, programs, and schedules effectively in a dynamic setting.
- Strong communication skills, including written, verbal, and public-facing interactions.
- Demonstrates initiative, sound judgment, and strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Builds inclusive, mission-driven relationships with youth, families, and community members from diverse backgrounds.
- Bilingual or multilingual skills preferred, but not required.
Program Leadership
- Maintain consistent daily presence in programs to support quality, safety, and staff oversight, following association-specific expectations for direct service coverage and onsite visitation.
- Launch new programs and grow existing ones in alignment with strategic goals and participant interests.
- Coordinate facility use and logistics to support smooth program delivery and engaging events.
- Manage daily participant records by using program software to track attendance and verify and track essential information
- Recruit, train, schedule, and support part-time staff and volunteers to build a strong, inclusive team.
- Provide regular feedback and coaching to help staff grow and succeed.
- Motivate your team to meet goals and create a positive, mission-driven work culture.
- Build partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and other organizations to strengthen program impact and visibility.
- Support outreach, marketing, and registration efforts to promote programs and ensure access for all.
- Review scholarship applications to help remove barriers to participation.
- Develop and manage program budgets to meet financial goals and use resources responsibly.
- Contribute to the YMCA Annual Campaign by leading volunteer teams, supporting fundraising events, and achieving an individual fundraising goal that advances the branch’s overall target.
- Build strong relationships with members, families, and staff through positive, responsive communication.
- Address questions and concerns in a timely and professional manner.
- Track program data to evaluate success, improve experiences, and celebrate progress.
- Maintain a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, to meet program and organizational needs.
Take on other duties as assigned to support the YMCA’s mission and evolving priorities.
This job description may be modified when appropriate by Human Resources.
Program Specific Responsibilities
- Lead and support high-quality youth programs—including after school, summer day camp, holiday care days and outreach—that emphasize safety, relationships, skill-building, character growth, and fun
- Implement program enhancements and initiatives to improve quality and engagement
- Oversee daily operations and programs in adherence to YMCA Standard Operating Procedures.
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with schools, families, and community organizations
- Obtain and maintain required certifications within 30 days of hire: CPRO, Basic First Aid, Administering
- Emergency Oxygen, and Emergency Medication Administration Training (EMAT).