Associate Program Director

DMF YOUTH, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 58,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

DMF Youth, a nonprofit in New York, seeks an Associate Program Director to empower underserved students through dance education and SEL programs. The role combines leadership with active participation in programming, supervising teaching artists and ensuring quality education delivery across partner sites.

Benefits

Healthcare reimbursement up to $5,000

Two weeks paid vacation + DOE school holidays

Flexible, creative work environment

Qualifications

• 5 years working directly with youth, 2 years in leadership.
• Strong background in dance and arts education.
• Experience in curriculum writing.

Responsibilities

• Oversee program delivery at multiple sites.
• Support staff training and development.
• Engage directly with students during programs.

Skills

Organization

Multitasking

Communication

Leadership

Mentorship

Education

Background in dance or arts education

Experience with Social Emotional Learning

Experience in leadership role

Tools

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office

Job description

5 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Direct message the job poster from DMF YOUTH, Inc.

DMF Youth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers underserved students through high-impact dance education and life skill development programs designed to build self-confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of self. Our holistic model blends dance, mentorship, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL), providing students with the tools they need to thrive in and beyond the classroom.

We partner with Title 1 schools and homeless shelters across New York City to deliver free afterschool and summer programs that center physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Since launching in 2015 with one site, DMF Youth has grown to seven partner locations and served nearly 1,000 students across all five boroughs, including East New York, East Harlem, and the Bronx. Our comprehensive, movement-based SEL curriculum supports students in developing key life skills—such as self-awareness, empathy, emotional regulation, and responsible decision-making—through joyful, affirming experiences.

About the Role

The Associate Program Director (APD) plays a key leadership role at DMF Youth, combining program oversight with hands-on involvement. Unlike a traditional administrative role, the APD is expected to actively engage in programming as a mentor, teacher, and role model to both staff and students.

The APD reports directly to the Senior Program Director, who reports to the Executive Director. The APD will oversee programming across multiple school and shelter-based sites in East Harlem, East New York, Brooklyn, and the Bronx—supervising multiple groups of teaching artists and ensuring alignment with DMF Youth’s standards, culture, and instructional practices.

To be successful, the APD must be a highly organized, strategic multitasker who thrives in both leadership and instructional settings. This role requires someone with strong classroom experience—especially in dance and arts education—and a deep understanding of Social Emotional Learning. The APD should be confident in giving constructive feedback, leading professional development, and modeling excellent instruction.

Mornings may include curriculum development, staff meetings, or coordination with school leaders; afternoons are typically spent on-site—supporting programs, supervising staff, jumping into classrooms as needed, and ensuring students are engaged and safe.

Key Responsibilities

Program & Staff Management

• Oversee high-quality program delivery at multiple DMF Youth sites.
• Supervise daily operations including staff scheduling, attendance, family communication, and student safety.
• Observe teaching artists and provide real-time coaching and feedback to support professional growth.
• Lead or support staff training and professional development workshops.
• Help develop systems for student management, dismissal, and use of school/shared space.
• Ensure program fidelity and alignment with DMF Youth’s mission and methodology.
• Work with the Senior Program Director on curriculum development and lesson planning.
• Adapt and align programming to meet specific partner site goals and educational priorities.
• Support and coordinate guest teaching artists, enrichment partners, and special events.
• Ensure pre and post evaluations surveys are administered and completed in timely fashion

Partnership & Community Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with school and shelter partners.
• Represent DMF Youth at meetings with site contacts and key stakeholders.
• Support recruitment, student enrollment, and family engagement initiatives such as outreach events and performances.

Who You Are

• A passionate, experienced dance and arts educator with a strong background in SEL.
• A confident, hands-on leader who can coach staff toward excellence and model best practices.
• Extremely organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to oversee multiple sites and teams simultaneously.
• Comfortable managing a blend of administrative responsibilities and on-the-ground program support.
• Proactive, flexible, and responsive in fast-paced environments.
• Committed to youth development, arts education, and creating joyful learning spaces for underserved youth.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience working directly with youth, including at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role
• Strong background in dance, performing arts, or arts education
• Experience writing curricula and lesson plans
• Deep understanding of Social Emotional Learning and youth development principles
• Excellent planning, organization, communication, and multitasking skills
• Proficient in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office
• Collaborative, mission-driven, and eager to grow in a leadership role
• Salary: $58,500–$65,500, commensurate with experience
• Healthcare: DMF Youth offers a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA), reimbursing up to $5,000/year for health expenses, including insurance premiums
• Time Off: Two weeks paid vacation + all DOE school holidays
• Work Environment: Flexible, creative, and impact-driven team culture

To Apply:

Please send your resume, a brief cover letter, and a sample lesson plan or curriculum excerpt to [e-mail]. Note: Please review ALL qualifications and application requirements. Must have strong background in dance and arts education.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Business Development and Sales

• Industries

  Education Administration Programs

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at DMF YOUTH, Inc. by 2x

Sign in to set job alerts for “Associate Program Director” roles.

Researcher (Program Officer, Multilateral Reform Program)

New York, NY $67,275.00-$93,150.00 7 hours ago

Senior Project Coordinator – Public Realm

Manhattan, NY $80,091.00-$116,999.00 1 year ago

New York, NY $90,000.00-$100,000.00 1 month ago

Bronx, NY $80,000.00-$85,000.00 3 months ago

New York, NY $135,000.00-$165,000.00 1 week ago

Senior Manager, Strategic Projects - Partnerships

New York, NY $135,000.00-$165,000.00 5 days ago

Bronx, NY $73,000.00-$76,000.00 1 week ago

Brooklyn, NY $85,000.00-$95,000.00 2 weeks ago

New York, NY $65,000.00-$65,000.00 7 months ago

New York City Metropolitan Area $80,000.00-$100,000.00 4 days ago

Senior Project Manager, Strategic Planning, Partnerships & Programs

New York, NY $80,000.00-$85,000.00 1 week ago

Senior Program Manager – Process Improvement & Digital Delivery

Assistant Program Director - Audubon Hall

New York, NY $75,000.00-$85,000.00 1 month ago

Assistant/Associate/Full Professor, Tenure-Track and Program Director

Associate Director, Business and Program Development

New York, NY $85,000.00-$105,000.00 3 weeks ago

Brooklyn, NY $85,000.00-$95,000.00 2 weeks ago

Sr. Project Manager PE/PG -EDesignation Brownfield, PhI/II ESA

New York, NY $110,000.00-$140,000.00 1 week ago

Senior Project Manager (Location: NY, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Vermont)

Associate Director, Endless Frontier Labs

New York, NY $105,000.00-$125,000.00 1 week ago

Assistant Program Director - Audubon Hall

New York, NY $75,000.00-$85,000.00 1 month ago

Brooklyn, NY $67,000.00-$72,000.00 1 week ago

Senior Project Manager (SPM Level 2), Office of Facilities Development, Central Office

New York, NY $112,000.00-$160,500.00 2 weeks ago

Senior Project Manager Level II, Clinical Operations *Grant Funded*

New York, NY $112,000.00-$115,000.00 2 days ago

Senior Global Program Regulatory Manager (Early Development) - Associate Director Level

East Hanover, NJ $145,600.00-$270,400.00 1 day ago

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.