Director of Programs

Groundswell; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

401(k)

12 paid holidays

15 vacation days

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

Groundswell in Brooklyn, NY is seeking a Director of Programs to lead the heart of our work, overseeing the full Program Department, managing a six-person team, and partnering with the Executive Director and Board.

This senior role requires you to be in the field with funders, young people, and community partners, bringing strategic vision and operational structure to all programs we run across NYC. The role is hybrid with regular travel and field presence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a nonprofit or school setting.
• At least 6 years at a senior leadership level, supervising a team of managers and a diverse program portfolio.
• Demonstrated experience in youth development, arts education, social justice, or a related field.
• Experience managing New York State and NYC government contracts (e.g., DYCD, DCLA, DCJS).
• Strong data and metrics skills; excellent written and verbal communication.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Microsoft 365, Zoom, and Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Strategy & Leadership: set strategy for Studio Programs, School-Based Programs, Community Commissions, and Mural Operations; collaborate with the Board; manage program budgets.
• Team Management: supervise multiple managers and a six-person team; coach staff and lead cross-functional collaboration.
• Program Development, Oversight & Evaluation: oversee recruitment, site visits, outcomes aligned with Theory of Change; drive data-informed improvements.
• Stakeholder & Partner Engagement: represent Groundswell publicly; manage partnerships; travel for site visits and events.

Skills

Leadership in nonprofit

Youth development

Arts education

Social justice

Data & metrics

Written & verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft 365

Zoom

Google Workspace

Job description

About Groundswell

For 30 years, Groundswell has used the walls of New York City as a canvas for change. We bring together professional artists, young people, and community organizations to use art as a tool for social change and to beautify neighborhoods. Through our signature model, we've completed more than 700 murals across the five boroughs and engaged thousands of young people, ages 13–24, in the work of art-making and social justice.

Our programs reach 450+ youth each year, primarily from communities that are underrepresented in public dialogue. We partner with schools, community organizations, and city agencies to run arts education studio programs, school-based programs, and large-scale community commissions. The work is rigorous, joyful, and rooted in equity.

Groundswell's staff is a group of highly committed, engaged, and empowered individuals who trust in the power of art to connect, grow, and challenge current social norms. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to build something, keep reading.

The Opportunity

We're looking for a Director of Programs to lead the heart of Groundswell's work. This is a senior leadership role — you'll oversee our full Program Department, manage a talented six-person team, and serve as a key strategic partner to the Executive Director and Board. You'll shape how we deliver on our mission every day, across every program we run.

This isn't a role for someone who wants to manage from a distance. You'll be in the field, at the table with funders, in the room with young people, and on the phone with community partners. You'll bring structure and strategy to a team that already does great work — and help them do it even better.

Work Environment

This is a hybrid role based in Brooklyn, NY. You'll work 60–65% in person at Groundswell's office and program sites across New York City, with 35–40% remote flexibility. Regular citywide travel is part of the job. The role requires the ability to move between office and field locations, operate standard office equipment, and occasionally assist with event setup. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a nonprofit or school setting.
• At least 6 years at a senior leadership level, supervising a team of managers and a diverse program portfolio.
• Demonstrated experience in youth development, arts education, social justice, or a related field.
• Experience managing New York State and NYC government contracts (e.g., DYCD, DCLA, DCJS).
• Strong data and metrics skills; excellent written and verbal communication.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Microsoft 365, Zoom, and Google Workspace.

You’ll Stand Out If You Also Have

• A master's degree or additional management training or credentials.
• Deep fluency in arts education pedagogy and community-centered program design.
• Experience leading large-scale, multi-partner community projects.
• A track record of building high-performing, equity-centered teams.

Above all, we're looking for someone who leads with empathy, thinks strategically, and is genuinely excited about the intersection of art, youth, and social change.

Strategy & Leadership (15%)

• Partner with the Executive Director to set strategy for Studio Programs, School-Based Programs, Community Commissions, and Mural Operations.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and the Board to advance Groundswell's strategic priorities.
• Strengthen the Program Department to meet the evolving needs of youth, partners, and funders.
• Ensure program compliance with grant deliverables and audit requirements.
• Support fundraising through grant writing, funder relationships, and donor stewardship.
• Develop and manage the annual Program Department budget.

Team Management (35%)

• Directly supervise the Associate Director, Studio Programs Manager, and School-Based Programs Manager; manage a six-person team overall.
• Coach staff, guide professional development, and build a culture of continuous learning and accountability.
• Lead Program Department meetings and strengthen cross-functional collaboration.
• Oversee assessment of teaching artists and curricula to ensure alignment with Groundswell's Theory of Change.
• Lead hiring, onboarding, and orientation for new Program staff in partnership with HR.
• Support program staff at events — art shares, mural unveilings, and culminating celebrations.

Program Development, Oversight & Evaluation (35%)

• Oversee youth recruitment, engagement, and retention across all programs.
• Conduct site visits to school-based and community commission programs.
• Lead implementation of the annual program strategy and monitor outcomes aligned with our Theory of Change.
• Drive a data-informed culture of program improvement using Groundswell's evaluation tools.
• Track and share program data with the Development Team; lead the annual impact report.
• Develop work scopes and budgets for government contracts in collaboration with development and finance teams.

Stakeholder & Partner Engagement (15%)

• Serve as a key external representative of Groundswell alongside the Executive Director.
• Cultivate and manage community partnerships for mural and after-school programs.
• Provide hands-on leadership for large-scale commission programs ($100,000+).
• Serve as liaison to the Board of Directors — write program reports, present at board meetings.
• Represent Groundswell at community events, conferences, and fundraisers across NYC.
• Regular travel throughout the New York City boroughs is required for site visits, partner meetings, and events.

Hiring Timeline

Application Deadline: September 30, 2026

Initial Screening Calls: October 2026

First Round Interviews: October – Early November 2026

Second Round Panel Interviews: November – December 2026

Offer & Background Check: December 2026

Start Date: January 2027

Offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Groundswell Offers a Generous Benefits Package, Including

• Health, vision, dental, and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• 12 paid holidays + office closures for the day after Thanksgiving, Labor Day week, and winter break
• 15 vacation days, 8 sick days, bereavement/compassion leave, family leave, and sabbatical leave
• Half-day summer Fridays
• Professional development allotment
• Pre-tax flexible spending account
• Hybrid work environment (60–65% in person in Brooklyn/NYC; 35–40% remote)

Equal Opportunity Employer

Groundswell is an equal opportunity employer deeply committed to building a diverse workplace rooted in equity, inclusion, and mutual respect. We believe our mission is strengthened by teams that reflect a broad range of identities, lived experiences, and ways of thinking. In accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, Groundswell prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind, and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion or creed, sex, partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence or stalking and sex offenses, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, pregnancy, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, disability, genetic information, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.