Full-Time Program Director at Cornerstone - Brooklyn, NY

NIA Community Services Network; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

NIA Community Services Network invites applications for a Cornerstone Director position at our Brooklyn site. You will lead day-to-day operations, supervise staff, coordinate programming, and manage relationships with funders and community partners.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree or 5+ years in youth services with supervision, and a DOH SACC/license credential if applicable. Flexibility is essential to meet program needs, including evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and staff supervision skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Experience managing partnerships and contracts with funders.
• Ability to plan and implement programs for youth and families.
• Capability to handle crises and sensitive situations professionally.

Responsibilities

• Manage on-site staff including directors, liaison, and instructors.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and performance feedback.
• Develop educational and recreational programming in line with funder requirements.
• Recruit participants and ensure retention across programming.
• Supervise on-site operations, attendance reporting, and inventory management.
• Maintain relationships with community partners and sub-contractors.
• Represent NIA on-site and coordinate with NYCHA, DYCD, and funders.
• Ensure facility safety, cleanliness, and compliance with licensing requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Supervision

Crisis management

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree / 5+ years in youth services

Master's degree preferred

DOH SACC license qualification

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Cornerstone Community Center - Brooklyn, NY 11214

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 Salary Cornerstone Director

Founded in 1981, NIA Community Services Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing issues that impact youth, families, and seniors. NIA’s mission, to strengthen and empower children, families, and communities through comprehensive programming and vital human services, is evidenced each day through services that directly support and enrich the lives of children and families we serve at more than 50 program sites located across many of New York City's most diverse and underserved neighborhoods through after-school programs, summer day camps, cultural arts opportunities, youth and family counseling services, parent workshops, community assistance, referral services, senior support programs, and community events.

Visit us at www.niabklyn.org.

Cornerstone Programs, funded by the NYC Dept. of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), are located in NYCHA community centers throughout New York City and provide academic and recreational opportunities for children, teens, and adults. NIA is seeking a Cornerstone Director to manage a community center located in Coney Island, Brooklyn. The center offers services every weekday from 10:00am to 10:00pm, Saturdays from 10:00am to 5:00pm. The center operates on school holidays and is open for extended hours in the summer from 8:00am through 11:00pm, 7 days a week.

The Cornerstone Director is the lead on-site supervisor of the Cornerstone program, responsible for managing day-to-day operations of the site, including staff supervision, facility management, scheduling and programming, administrative tasks, and stakeholder relationships. The position of Cornerstone Director is a critical, visible position requiring exceptional leadership, strong management experience, and a successful track record of working with government contracts and nonprofit organizations providing social services. The Director should be highly flexible in dealing with the challenges of program management and working to meet the needs of the community with compassion and innovation. The Director should have experience with community-based services for youth, children, and/or families.

The Director should have proven ability to manage staff professionally and interact with the community using a strengths-based approach. They must be a hands-on strategic thinker, a planner and problem solver. Excellent communication skills are critical. The Director must be comfortable communicating with participants from the community, and equally comfortable in communicating with staff, organization leadership, funders, and community officials.

Responsibilities

• Effectively manage on-site staff, including assistant directors, community liaison, direct-service Group Leaders and Instructors, security team, and building maintenance team.
• Assist with recruitment and hiring efforts, staff training, provide ongoing performance feedback; refer staff for professional development as needed.
• Develop educational and recreational summer and school year programming in accordance with funder, licensor, and NIA guidelines and contractual obligations.
• Responsible for participation recruitment and retention.
• Oversee the completion of all requirements related to the operation of on-site youth after-school program, evening and weekend services, special events, on-site food pantry, and community partnerships.
• Oversee and monitor DYCD Cornerstone database to ensure program is accurately reporting daily attendance and schedule, maintaining required rate of participation, and meeting funder targets.
• Oversee and monitor all administrative tasks, reporting, ordering, inventory, and operations of on-site food pantry.
• Conduct regular program assessments and feedback surveys to ensure program services adequately address community needs.
• Professionally represent NIA on site and cultivate relationships with community partners, co-locators, and sub-contractors; serve as the primary liaison between NIA and all partners.
• Maintain a professional approach and demeanor; ensure staff conducts themselves professionally with participants, one another, and the community.
• Plan large-scale community events and trips for participants.
• Attend community Resident Association meetings, develop and coordinate Youth Council and program Advisory Board meetings.
• Ensure maintenance and cleanliness of facility and coordinate with agency (NYCHA & DYCD) to proactively and effectively address facility issues.
• Responsible for the CACFP Food Program on site and all of its components, including reporting and maintaining appropriate documentation.
• Maintain ongoing communication with assigned NIA supervisor.
• Participate in organization meetings and professional development sessions as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the success and smooth operation of the Cornerstone program.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent of 5+ years in youth services preferred, with at least 2 of those in a supervisory role required; master’s degree in a related field preferred
• Must qualify to be named Director on DOH SACC license or be willing to obtain SAC credential.
• Excellent leadership, supervisory, and team-building skills, including the ability to motivate, align staff efforts to changing priorities and approaches, set goals, delegate responsibilities, and manage staff performance so as to ensure effective service delivery in accordance with organizational goals and program contracts.
• Must be an effective communicator and possess strong public speaking and writing skills.
• The ability to work independently, assess priorities, take initiative, be flexible, and thrive under pressure while working on multiple tasks and projects.
• Experience with effective management of crisis intervention, handling mental health and medical emergencies, and working with people with histories of trauma is a plus.
• Must be computer proficient and skilled in managing multiple administrative tasks.
• Must be available for a standard full-time work schedule to oversee daily program operations, with flexibility to adjust hours as needed for program events and occasional evening or weekend assignments.
• Familiarity with the Coney Island community, NYCHA housing developments, DOE and youth programming, DYCD programming, and community food pantries is preferred.
• Must obtain NYC Dept. of Health and State Central Register (SCR) clearance; must have or obtain NYS Food Handler’s Certificate and CPR/First Aid certification.

This is a full-time position with a starting salary of $65,000-75,000, depending upon experience.