Director of School Age Services

ROME GROUP; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Unleashing Potential is seeking a Director of School Age Services to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all OST programs. The role blends high-level strategy with grant management, licensing compliance, and parent engagement to advance UP’s mission.

Responsibilities include supervising staff, developing developmentally appropriate curricula, and building partnerships with schools and funders to ensure program impact and sustainability.

Qualifications

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Responsibilities

• Develops and implements OST strategies aligned with UP’s mission.
• Oversees grants, licensing, and regulatory reporting.
• Manages budgets, invoicing, and data reporting for SAS programs.
• Supervises Site Managers and program staff; oversees recruitment and development.
• Represents UP with partners, funders, and policymakers.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Strategic planning

Communication

Project management

DEI integration

Staff coaching

Education

Master’s Degree in Education or Social Work

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Director of School Age

SUMMARY

The Director of School Age Services provides strategic leadership, vision, and operational oversight for all Out of School Time (OST) programs delivered by Unleashing Potential. This role combines high-level strategy, staff supervision, program innovation, and compliance management with the daily administrative and financial responsibilities tied to grants, licensing, parent engagement, and data reporting. This position plays a critical role in shaping UP’s long-term vision and being the gold standard in child and youth development.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Program Development

• Develops and implements child and youth development strategies aligned with UP’s mission and vision
• Identifies unmet community needs and develops innovative, evidence-based programmatic responses.
• Builds strategic partnerships with school districts, funders, state and local governments, and community-based organizations.
• Integrates Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles into all program areas, ensure that programs are culturally sensitive and responsive to environmental needs.
• Provides oversight to the program team in executing developmentally appropriate lesson plans, social-emotional learning activities, and other educational initiatives that promote the growth and academic success of children in OST programs.
• Cultivates strong, collaborative relationships with principals and school administrators to align and coordinate educational efforts that support and enhance student success within program sites.

Administrative and Financial Program Oversight

• Meets weekly with the President/CEO and provides accurate reports and on occasions attend Board Program/Policy Committee Meetings at the request of the President/CEO.
• Works with finance on all administrative and financial tasks related to the operation of School Age Services (SAS), including invoicing, budgeting, reporting and data entry.
• Manages parent billing and subsidy tracking through Wonderschool and Jotform, ensuring timely invoicing, reconciliation of subsidies, and cross-training of staff.
• Collaborates with Finance and Development to create and manage program budgets, monitor actuals, and align resources to strategic goals.
• Ensures timely and accurate completion of all reporting requirements including DESE, SAC, 21st Century, KidsCare, and internal SAS reports.

Grant and Compliance Management

• Manages aspects of grant compliance and reporting as assigned, including proposal development, ongoing monitoring, invoicing, and final reports
• Oversees compliance with all program licensing, accreditation, and regulatory standards (DESE, COA, etc.)

Staff Supervision and Organizational Leadership

• Directly supervises and supports Site Managers and key program staff.
• Provides leadership, coaching, goal-setting, and performance evaluation to ensure program excellence.
• In concert with Human Resources, oversees recruitment, onboarding, and professional development of staff to ensure alignment with UP’s standards of quality and impact.
• Builds internal capacity for succession planning, continuous improvement, and cross-program collaboration.

Program Outcomes and Evaluation

• Works with the Evaluation team to develop program logic models and measurable outcomes
• Monitors outcome data to guide continuous improvement and ensures data-informed decision-making throughout the department.
• Leads efforts to align program activities with the agency’s overall impact framework and outcome benchmarks

External Relations and Advocacy

• Represents Unleashing Potential at local, state, and national meetings, coalitions, and stakeholder events.
• Acts as a spokesperson for the agency’s work in OST programs, including sharing best practices, challenges, and outcomes.
• Builds relationships with funders, policymakers, and advocacy groups to elevate the profile and influence of UP’s programs.

EDUCATION/JOB EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in Education, Social Work, or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in child and youth services.
• Strong knowledge of Missouri childcare and OST regulatory agencies.
• Management experience including coaching, performance management, and team development.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES

• Exceptional leadership and strategic planning skills
• Strong budgeting and financial acumen
• Excellent communication skills - both verbal and written
• Ability to manage complex projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Deep understanding of child and youth development best practices
• Self-directed and collaborative, with strong emotional intelligence and adaptability
• Committed to professional conduct, ethical leadership, and continuous improvement
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite with ability to learn other state/federal compliance software

PROFESSIONALISM AND WORK CONDUCT

• Demonstrates high integrity and ethical standards.
• Maintains professional boundaries and relationships with families, youth, and partners.
• Seeks ongoing professional development and models lifelong learning.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

• Some evening and weekend hours required.
• Moderate physical activity including reaching, kneeling, and lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Must have reliable personal transportation and valid driver’s license for travel to multiple sites.
• Occasional travel within Missouri for training, site visits, or state advocacy.

SALARY

Starting at $60K based on experience.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Tagged as: afterschool program, education