Director of Program Implementation

Stcam; Northern (KY); On-site; USD 113,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) employer match

Paid time off

Sabbatical after 5 years

Professional development

Job summary

Summer Search is seeking a Director of Program Implementation to lead the national program team in delivering high-quality, scalable youth programming across the network. You will oversee curriculum, tools, and training, while advancing equity and inclusion in every program facet.

The role emphasizes strategic leadership, cross-site collaboration with five regional sites, and partnering with the Talent team to build capacity and ensure fidelity to the model.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in non-profit sector with 4+ years of leadership in program implementation
• Strategic thinking with data-informed planning
• Strong collaboration and cross-functional teamwork
• Experience scaling programs and building systems
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Responsibilities

• Oversee implementation of curricula and program resources across the network
• Lead evaluation and improvement of tools, processes, and support structures
• Foster excellence, innovation, and data-informed decision making
• Support new program initiatives and ensure adoption across sites
• Align site programs with national standards and provide training and coaching
• Drive long-term program strategy, budgeting, and equity in design and delivery

Skills

Strategic leadership

Program implementation

Data-informed decision making

Project management

Team collaboration

Equity and inclusion

CRM systems (Salesforce)

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

At Summer Search, we believe in 'No Ceilings' and envision a world in which young people, regardless of circumstances, can chart their own destiny. In the United States, students from underserved communities – disproportionately BIPOC and first-generation – face systemic inequities in school, in the workforce, and in life. Nevertheless, these young people possess unique strengths, resilience, and limitless potential.

Since 1990, Summer Search has partnered with young people during their transition from adolescence into adulthood by connecting them to expansive opportunities, professional mentoring, and a community of support. Summer Searchers recognize their potential and build a toolkit to navigate and challenge systemic barriers, break new ground for their families and communities, and achieve economic equity and a life of purpose.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Summer Search is seeking a Director of Program Implementation to join our National Program Team. This hire will provide strategic leadership to ensure we deliver consistent, and high-quality programming that is consistently evolving to youth across Summer Search’s entire network –which includes 3,000 participants this program year. Reporting to the Managing Director of Programs, the Director of Program Implementation will join a passionate and dedicated National Program Team who collaborates closely with our five regional sites across the network (Bay Area, Seattle, Philadelphia, NYC, and Boston), organizational leadership, and other national teams.

This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic program leader to make an impact on an organization on the National level across Summer Search’s core program components-- High School Mentoring, Summer Experiences, and Post-Secondary Advising and Career Programming.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The Director of Program Implementation is responsible for ensuring consistent, high-quality program delivery across the network by developing and strengthening implementation systems, operational processes, curriculum resources, training strategies, and support structures that drive positive outcomes for young people.

Program implementation (50%):

• Oversee the review, enhancement, and implementation of curriculum and program resources to ensure relevance, feasibility, and effectiveness in meeting youth needs.
• Lead the ongoing evaluation and improvement of implementation tools, operational processes, and support mechanisms to increase efficiency, effectiveness, staff satisfaction, and program impact.
• Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and data-informed decision-making that advances program quality, staff effectiveness, and outcomes for youth served by the organization.
• Support the implementation of new program initiatives, pilots, and organizational priorities, managing effective communication, and ensuring successful adoption across the network.

Learning, Development, and Capacity Building (20%):

• Ensure site program training, delivery, and outcomes are aligned with national standards.
• In partnership with the Talent team, design and lead strategies, that equip program staff with skills, tools and support they need to deliver high-quality programming with fidelity to our model including onboarding and ongoing training, coaching, and technical assistance.
• Establish and monitor program quality standards, implementation of benchmarks, and continuous improvement processes to drive strong and consistent outcomes.
• Provide National support for 2-3 cross-site program staff cohorts ensuring cohorts follow best practices and inform strategy and implementation org-wide.

Program Leadership (30%):

• Support the development and execution of long-term program strategy, crisis response protocol, annual program project plans, development of Program goals across the network, and budgeting processes in partnership with the Managing Director of Program.
• Drive the integration of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles across all aspects of program design, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement to advance equitable outcomes for young people.
• Identify opportunities to scale effective practices and strengthen operational systems in support of organizational growth and long-term sustainability.

WHO YOU ARE

The Director of Program implementation position calls for a motivated leader who can translate organization-wide strategies into local program delivery and who is passionate about program excellence. Specifically, this hire will bring:

• EXPERIENCE: A minimum of 7 years of experience in the non-profit sector inclusive of 4+ years of leadership in strategic implementation of programs and initiatives, preferably within human services, youth development, mentorship or education sectors. Experience working within a networked organization is a plus.
• STRATEGIC ACUMEN: You anticipate, articulate, and prepare for various outcomes and use this skill to collaboratively develop objectives and priorities that are informed by data and align with the organizational direction.
• TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION: You value many voices, are comfortable creating space for dialogue and handle interpersonal issues constructively. You inspire and foster commitment, connection, enthusiasm and trust and motivate others to achieve common goals.
• PROJECT MANAGEMENT: You take initiative to create systems and structures to achieve goals and objectives. You succeed at managing multiple workstreams and motivating, coordinating, and directing others to stay on track.
• ADAPTABILITY: You tackle challenges and unfamiliar scenarios head-on with a solutions-oriented, flexible, and curious approach. You are willing to try new things and actively seek to understand multiple perspectives.
• CRITICAL CONCIOUSNESS: You have an understanding of the root causes of societal discrimination and injustices and are self-reflective about your own privilege and positional power. You apply critical thinking and take action toward liberatory and inclusive practices.
• TECHNOLOGY SKILLS: (if applicable) Command of CRM for program data management and reporting, Salesforce strongly preferred. Ability to use data systems to inform decision making.

In addition,all Summer Search staff bring a commitment to our mission of unleashing students’ potential through mentoring and transformative experiences, as well as the ability to thrive in an environment that values excellence, gratitude, well-being, diversity, authenticity, and collaboration.

LOCATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

New hires must be residing in one of their following states by their first day of employment: California, Washington, Pennsylvania, New York, or Massachusetts.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Competitive and transparent salaries. This is an exempt position with an annual salary ranging from $112,705 - $121,295. Summer Search is committed to transparent, equitable compensation practices. Salaries are benchmarked using current market data and salary bands are created to demonstrate the growth potential within the band. Typically, offers are made at the starting place of the salary band. The Hiring Manager partners with the Talent Team to ensure offers are appropriate, competitive and maintain internal equity.

Well-being, flexibility, and ongoing learning and development are pillars of our culture. We value our staff and are committed to creating an environment where every individual feels seen, heard and valued. Investments in our staff include:

• Medical insurance with up to 90% employer contribution
• Dental, vision, FSA,lifeand disability insurance plans
• 401 (K) and Employer Match up to $2,000 annually
• Generous time off including 15 vacation days, 10 sick days, and 18 holidays (2 floating holidays of your choice, a birthday day-off, 10 company-wide holidays, and a 1-week December closure).
• Refresh Friday’s – a paid day off the first Friday of every month!
• A comprehensive Employee Recognition Program (years of service awards, spot awards, and professional development funding).
• A four-week paid sabbatical after five years of continuous employment.
• Individual, local,regionaland national training.
• A commitment to developing leaders from within theorganization.
• An organizational culture that supports staff well-being and holistic self-care/community care.
• Ample opportunities to connect with the students and communities weserve.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

With a staff that cares deeply about social justice and racial justice, we believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds create a rich work environment and enhance our ability to pursue our mission. We are committed to building an organization with critical consciousness in order to impact how we work with students, as well as how we work together as a team. We hope you will join us as we continue to build a justice-centered organization that fosters a work environment where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued.

SUMMER SEARCH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.