Director of Programs - YWCA Berkeley/Oakland

The YWCA Berkeley/Oakland is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women*, developing leaders, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. The YWCA is a global movement working for the empowerment, leadership, and rights of women*, young women*, and girls* in more than 100 countries.

The YWCA Berkeley/Oakland branch is an independent, non-profit organization that provides programs, classes, workshops, and resources for the Berkeley, Oakland, and broader East Bay community, regardless of age, gender identity, and/or socioeconomic status. We work to provide services from a racial and gender justice lens and operate as an accessible community center for all community members. As our building is across from University of California, Berkeley campus, we collaborate and work closely with UC Berkeley students and faculty. The YWCA Berkeley/Oakland has a 137-year rich tradition of dedication to the empowerment of girls* and women* and to racial and social justice for ALL people. All of our programs welcome everyone, with no specific religious affiliation. We are open year-round to the public!

The Director of Programs works directly with and reports to the Deputy Director to oversee, develop, and evaluate all YWCA Berkeley/Oakland programs. This position provides strategic leadership and supervision to ensure programs are effective, mission-driven, and responsive to community needs. The Director of Programs oversees Program Managers, the Program and Marketing Manager, interns, program coordinators, and other program support staff while fostering collaboration across departments and with other community organizations. The Director ensures YWCA’s racial justice, gender equity, and community empowerment values are reflected in all programming and partnerships.

• Provides overall leadership and direction for all YWCA Berkeley/Oakland program areas, which may include but are not limited to:
• Arts and Culture
• Advocacy
• Shadow Day 
• Financial Literacy Workshops 
• Workforce Development Program 
• Career Coaching 
• English In Action 
• Mental Health Wellness 
• Community Resource Drives

• Oversees and assists in program planning, curriculum development, and implementation to ensure consistency with YWCA’s mission and goals.

• Collaborates with the Program Managers and coordinators to develop program goals, timelines, and measurable outcomes.

• Leads evaluation and continuous improvement of all programs, including data collection, impact reporting, and assessment of community relevance.

• Develop and refine program systems and procedures to improve planning, workflows, and communications.

• Identifies opportunities for new or expanded programs based on community needs, organizational capacity, and strategic priorities.

• Ensures that programs incorporate racial and gender equity principles and are culturally relevant and inclusive.

• Drive overall program strategy and long-term planning to ensure impactful and sustainable programming.

• Works collaboratively with the Deputy Director and Executive Director to align programs with organizational strategy and funding priorities.

• Oversees program-related marketing and communications to ensure expanded outreach and increased community participation in YWCA resources/programming.

• Directly supervises the Program Managers and provides mentorship, coaching, and professional development support.

• Oversees the recruitment, training, and management of interns, volunteers, and program staff in collaboration with the Program Managers to ensure strong program delivery and professional growth.

• Ensure staff are trained in and effectively using program tools and software platforms, such as Google Workspace and Canva.

• Conducts regular check-ins, evaluations, and staff meetings to ensure clear communication, accountability, and growth.

• Fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven team culture.

• Ensures adequate coverage, capacity, and support across all program areas.

• In conjunction with the YWCA team, initiates new partnerships while also strengthening existing community partnerships with schools, universities, and organizations across the East Bay.
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• Coordinate outreach efforts (e.g., tabling), including logistics, intern coordination, and volunteer engagement.
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• Represents the YWCA at community events, coalitions, and meetings to promote visibility and partnerships.
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• Collaborates with external partners to develop joint programming and share resources for greater community impact.
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• Works with the Program Manager and Program Coordinators to ensure community outreach and engagement strategies are aligned with program goals.
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• Manage partnership agreements and contracts to ensure compliance and strategic alignment.
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• Manage program partner communications, including maintaining mailing lists and distributing newsletters.
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• Keep staff and front desk informed of monthly programming and support event volunteer coordination.

• Works closely with the Deputy Director and Finance team to manage program budgets and expenditures.

• Ensures program documentation, databases, and records are maintained in accordance with YWCA procedures.

• Maintain organized and up-to-date internal documentation, including meeting minutes, procedures, and resource links.

• Oversee organization and quality control of shared drives and digital assets to ensure accessibility and clarity.

• Coordinate internal communications, including staff reminders for deadlines, events, and outreach opportunities.

• Manage organizational calendar, scheduling, and logistics to ensure smooth program execution.

• Oversees preparation of reports and program data for grants, board updates, and funder communications, working with the Deputy Director as needed and for final review.

• Supports the Development and Communications teams with program content, storytelling, and outcome data for reports, grants, and marketing.

• Ensures programs meet safety, accessibility, and compliance standards.

• Assists with organization-wide projects, events, and initiatives as requested by the Deputy Director.

• Participates in management team meetings and contributes to organizational planning and decision-making.

• Provides input on strategic initiatives, funding priorities, and long-term program goals.

• Support fundraising operations when needed, including oversight of program related donation systems and revenue tracking.

• Supports cross-department collaboration to align programs with operations, communications, and development strategies.

• Models YWCA’s values of equity, inclusion, and empowerment in all leadership practices.
  

Reports to: Executive Director and Deputy Director

Supervises: Program staff and interns

• Minimum 4–5 years of experience in nonprofit or community-based program management, including at least 2 years of supervisory experience.

• Demonstrated success in developing and evaluating mission-aligned programs.

• Strong leadership, team management, and communication skills.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse staff, partners, and community members.

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Experience in racial justice, gender equity, or youth development work.

• Commitment to YWCA’s mission and values.

• Strong writing and analytical skills for reports, proposals, and communications.

• At least 2 years of program management and development experience.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit management, education, or public administration.

• Experience in program evaluation, data tracking, and outcomes reporting.

• Experience in leading and managing a team of varying skillsets and learning styles.

• Experience with community partnership development and collaborative initiatives.

• Ability to work in a fast paced environment in collaboration with a community centered team.

• Familiarity with Google Workspace, Canva, Mailchimp, Asana, and social media platforms.

• Familiarity with Neon CRM and other data management platforms is a plus. 

Exempt Full-Time (35 hours per week). Hours of work will generally be between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday, with occasional evenings and weekends required for organizational events.

Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance 

Chiropractic and acupuncture coverage

Competitive PTO package

After two years with the organization full-time, you are eligible for the YWCA USA matching retirement fund.

Ability to remain seated at a desk for long periods of time and to travel to off-site events, workshops, and meetings as required by programming and partnerships.