Director of Programs

Paycom - ATS; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO & holidays

Winter break

Mental health days

Health, dental, vision insurance

Retirement plan with employer match

Life, AD&D, STD, LTD

Employee Assistance Plan

Job summary

Scholars Unlimited seeks a Director of Programs to lead its out-of-school time programs across multiple sites. You will shape strategy, ensure quality, manage grants, and drive measurable impact for elementary-age youth.

The role requires a minimum of 7 years in youth development or OST, 3–5 years in leadership, and a Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Master’s preferred). Hybrid work and strong community partnerships are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Public Administration, or related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in youth development, education, or OST programming.
• At least 3–5 years of leadership experience managing programs and/or multi-site teams.
• Demonstrated experience with grant management, compliance, and reporting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and program/data systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the organization’s program strategy in alignment with mission and organizational goals.
• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of all OST programming, including after-school and summer programs.
• Identify opportunities for program growth, innovation, and expansion.
• Contribute to organizational planning, budgeting, and long-term sustainability efforts.
• Ensure programs are scalable, sustainable, and aligned with community needs.
• Oversee all program operations across multiple sites, ensuring consistency, quality, and strong outcomes.
• Establish and monitor program standards, frameworks, and performance expectations.
• Ensure high‑quality implementation of literacy, STEM, social‑emotional learning, and enrichment programming.
• Proactively address operational challenges and ensure effective program delivery.
• Maintain safe, engaging, and inclusive environments for all participants.
• Lead all aspects of Federal, State, and City grant management, including application support, implementation, compliance, and reporting.
• Ensure programs meet all city, state, and federal grant requirements and performance metrics.
• Oversee federal, state, and city grant budgets in partnership with finance and organizational leadership.
• Prepare and submit timely, accurate reports and renewal applications.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager with funders and grant stakeholders.
• Establish and oversee systems for program data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Use data to evaluate program effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
• Monitor progress toward organizational impact goals and outcomes.
• Provide regular reports to leadership and the board on program performance.
• Build and maintain relationships with schools, community partners, and stakeholders.
• Represent the organization in program‑related meetings, partnerships, and community events.
• Support development efforts by contributing program insights to funders and partners.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, Colorado child care licensing, and other regulatory requirements.
• Oversee program documentation, policies, and operational procedures.
• Support organizational budgeting and resource allocation.
• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the success of Scholars Unlimited.
• Supervises the Senior Program Manager and the Data Coordinator in the performance of their duties, including delegating, counseling, disciplining, coaching, training, evaluating, and terminating.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and professional development opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Grant management

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Public Administration, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Central Office - Denver, CO 80205, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $88,000.00 - $95,000.00 Salary/year

Position Title: Director of Programs

Reports To: President & CEO

Hiring Range: $88,000 – $95,000 commensurate with experience

FLSA Status: Full Time / Exempt

Scholars Unlimited is a non-profit organization that provides high-quality, comprehensive after school and summer learning programs to elementary school children in metro Denver. Our organizational vision is an unwavering commitment to empower students to achieve academic and personal success. Our mission is to foster academic, social, and emotional growth for children living in low‑income communities around metro Denver. Our vision and mission are on the foundation of our values in the belief in every child’s potential, the belief in cultivating life‑long learners, and the belief in the power of every child, family, and community. We collaborate with school districts and generally provide our programs in the schools our students attend. Currently, our programs are offered in Denver, Aurora, Sheridan, and Westminster public schools.

The Director of Programs, in collaboration with the CEO, leads the vision, strategy, and execution of Scholars Unlimited’s out-of-school time (OST) programs. As the organization’s senior program leader, this role ensures high-quality implementation across all sites and drives measurable impact for elementary‑aged youth.

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership & Program Vision

• Develop and execute the organization’s program strategy in alignment with mission and organizational goals
• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of all OST programming, including after-school and summer programs
• Identify opportunities for program growth, innovation, and expansion
• Contribute to organizational planning, budgeting, and long-term sustainability efforts
• Ensure programs are scalable, sustainable, and aligned with community needs

Program Oversight & Quality

• Oversee all program operations across multiple sites, ensuring consistency, quality, and strong outcomes
• Establish and monitor program standards, frameworks, and performance expectations
• Ensure high‑quality implementation of literacy, STEM, social‑emotional learning, and enrichment programming
• Proactively address operational challenges and ensure effective program delivery
• Maintain safe, engaging, and inclusive environments for all participants

Grant Management & Compliance

• Lead all aspects of Federal, State, and City grant management, including application support, implementation, compliance, and reporting
• Ensure programs meet all city, state, and federal grant requirements and performance metrics
• Oversee federal, state, and city grant budgets in partnership with finance and organizational leadership
• Prepare and submit timely, accurate reports and renewal applications
• Serve as the primary relationship manager with funders and grant stakeholders

Data, Evaluation & Impact

• Establish and oversee systems for program data collection, analysis, and reporting
• Use data to evaluate program effectiveness and drive continuous improvement
• Monitor progress toward organizational impact goals and outcomes
• Provide regular reports to leadership and the board on program performance

Partnerships & External Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with schools, community partners, and stakeholders
• Represent the organization in program‑related meetings, partnerships, and community events
• Support development efforts by contributing program insights to funders and partners

Compliance & Administration

• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, Colorado child care licensing, and other regulatory requirements
• Oversee program documentation, policies, and operational procedures
• Support organizational budgeting and resource allocation

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the success of Scholars Unlimited

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervises the Senior Program Manager and the Data Coordinator in the performance of their duties, including delegating, counseling, disciplining, coaching, training, evaluating, and terminating.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and professional development opportunities.
• Carriers out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws
• Ensures strong leadership and accountability across all program sites
• Build a high‑performing team through coaching, accountability, and professional development
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, and retention strategies for program staff
• Foster a culture of collaboration, equity, and continuous improvement

Work Environment

• Hybrid Position: Employees are expected to work in the office a minimum of 4 days per week, with specific schedules coordinated with their supervisor.

Benefits

Scholars Unlimited offers a generous benefits package that includes PTO, up to 11 paid holidays per year, a paid winter break between December 26 and January 31, two mental health wellness days per year, health, dental, and vision insurance coverage with an employer premium allowance per month, a retirement plan with employer match, employer‑paid Life, AD&D, STD, and LTD insurance, and an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP).

Compensation

Hiring Range is $88,000 – $95,000 commensurate with experience

Organizational Culture

• We have a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• We have a passion for our students and are invested in their success.
• We believe that trust among team members is essential.
• We believe that respect among team members is essential and non‑negotiable.
• We encourage all team members to be curious.
• We love your individuality and want to see you shine.

Scholars Unlimited is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 and over, race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and length, protective hairstyles), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, color, religion, national origin, disability, military status, genetic information, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Public Administration, or related field required
• Master’s degree preferred

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in youth development, education, or OST programming
• At least 3–5 years of leadership experience managing programs and/or multi‑site teams
• Demonstrated experience with grant management, compliance, and reporting
• Proven experience leading teams and driving program outcomes

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated commitment to Scholars Unlimited’s mission, values, and advancing equitable opportunities for elementary‑aged youth, including a commitment to racial equity
• Strong strategic thinking and program leadership skills
• Expertise in program design, implementation, and evaluation
• Experience using data to drive decision‑making and outcomes
• Knowledge of youth development best practices (literacy, STEM, SEL)
• Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship‑building skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and lead in a dynamic environment
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability
• Commitment to educational equity and the mission of Scholars Unlimited
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and program/data systems

Minimum Qualifications

• Must complete and pass criminal history background checks prior to the start of employment