Director of Programs

The Foundation for Santa Barbara City College; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision coverage

Retirement plan with 6% company match

Generous vacation

17 paid holidays

Job summary

SBCC Foundation is seeking a Director of Programs to lead scholarship programs, the SBCC Promise, grants, and restricted funds. You will supervise the Scholarship Manager and collaborate with the Development team to ensure donor funds reach students and programs accurately and on time.

You’ll oversee budgeting, reporting, and fundraising proposals, while serving as a primary liaison to SBCC departments and the Board Program Committee. This role is hybrid, based in Santa Barbara, CA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 5+ years of scholarship administration, grants management, or nonprofit program management in higher education or a foundation.
• At least 3 years of grant writing and reporting experience.
• At least 2 years of staff supervision.
• Working knowledge of restricted funds and donor intent, with experience partnering with a finance team on reconciliation and reporting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with ability to explain funding rules clearly to donors, students, and partners.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines and annual cycles.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach the Scholarship Manager and program/grants interns.
• Oversee the annual scholarship cycle from applications to award coordination with Financial Aid.
• Oversee SBCC Promise funding plan, budget, policies, and billing coordination with College partners.
• Lead grant seeking from foundation, corporate, and government sources; oversee proposals; prepare narrative and financial reports for funders.
• Serve as main contact for SBCC departments on restricted funds availability and usage; review funding requests.
• Coordinate student emergency grant requests with College partners and Finance team.
• Collaborate with Finance to reconcile fund balances, monitor budgets, and ensure reporting accuracy.
• Manage the Board Program Committee and report progress to CEO and Board.
• Build relationships across campus and represent the Foundation at campus/community events.

Skills

Scholarship management

Grants management

Grant writing

Staff supervision

Donor relations

Restricted funds

Donor intent

Budgeting

Reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Financial Edge

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

About the SBCC Foundation

The Santa Barbara City College Foundation raises and manages private support for Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) students and programs. Each year, the Foundation provides more than $1 million in scholarships and book grants. It also funds the SBCC Promise, which has helped more than 10,000 local students attend SBCC at no cost for tuition, fees, books and supplies. We’re a small, close team who work side-by-side with the College to open doors to higher education in our community.

About the Role

The Director of Programs reports to the CEO and leads the Foundation’s scholarship programs, the SBCC Promise, grants, and restricted funds. This person makes sure every donated dollar reaches students and College programs accurately, on time, and as the donor intended. The Director supervises the Scholarship Manager, leads the Foundation’s grant work in partnership with the Development team, serves as a key contact for SBCC administrators, faculty, and staff, and manages the Board Program Committee, which meets quarterly.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and coach the Scholarship Manager and any program or grants interns
• Oversee the annual scholarship cycle, from applications and reviewer committees through award selection and coordination with the SBCC Financial Aid Office
• Provide oversight of the SBCC Promise, including its funding plan, budget, policies, and billing coordination with College partners
• Lead grant seeking from foundation, corporate, and government sources; write or oversee proposals; and prepare accurate narrative and financial reports for funders
• Serve as the main contact for SBCC departments on the availability and allowable use of restricted funds, and review funding requests
• Coordinate student emergency grant requests with College partners and the Finance team
• Partner with the Finance team to reconcile fund balances, build and monitor program budgets, and keep reporting accurate
• Manage the Board Program Committee and report on progress to the CEO and Board
• Build strong relationships across campus and represent the Foundation at campus and community events

Requirements

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least 5 years of experience in scholarship administration, grants management, or nonprofit program management, ideally in higher education or a foundation
• At least 3 years of grant writing and grant reporting experience
• At least 2 years of experience supervising staff
• Working knowledge of restricted funds and donor intent, including partnering with a finance team on reconciliation and reporting
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain funding rules clearly to donors, students, and College partners
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage several deadlines and annual cycles at once
• Sound judgment and discretion with confidential student and donor information

Nice to Have

• Experience with scholarship management software, Financial Edge, or Raiser’s Edge
• Familiarity with FERPA
• Experience with grant search databases and portals

Position Details

• Full time, exempt
• Hybrid schedule based in Santa Barbara, CA with 3-4 days onsite per week
• Salary range: $100,000 - $110,000 / year
• Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plan with 6% company match, generous vacation, and 17 paid holidays

The SBCC Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by law. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact [e-mail].