Program Director

Socket.dev; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

Grand Street Settlement seeks a Cornerstone Program Director to lead the NYCHA Community Center initiatives, overseeing program development across youth and adult participants. The role emphasizes high-quality, innovative programming and strong partnership with schools and community organizations.

The position requires extensive experience in youth services, budgeting, grant management, and staff supervision, with a commitment to equitable, LGBTQIA+-friendly practices and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years in youth services required; at least 2 years in a supervisory role; master's degree preferred
• Familiarity with the community, stakeholders, and resources
• Experience designing, planning, and implementing structured programs
• 2+ years supervising more than 10 staff
• 2+ years budget, contract, and grant management experience
• Ability to work independently, assess priorities, and take initiative
• High level of administrative proficiency
• Ability to handle multiple tasks under pressure
• Knowledge of public education system and youth development best practices
• Strong public speaking, writing, and organizational skills
• Team player with commitment to urban youth and LGBTQIA+-friendly environments
• Experience partnering with DOE and community-based organizations
• Experience with experiential learning and group facilitation
• Must be an outstanding strategic thinker
• Must be flexible and cooperative in a team setting
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and internet research
• Experience with DYCD programming regulations and DYCD online
• Must obtain NYC DOH fingerprint clearance and SCR clearance
• New York State Food Handler’s Certificate
• CPR and Advanced First Aid certified
• Bilingual (Spanish or Chinese preferred)

Responsibilities

• Complete SACC Program Director's credentials (30-hour)
• Provide leadership and strategic direction to program staff
• Recruit, hire, orient, and evaluate center-based staff
• Supervise staff and ensure program goals are met
• Lead participant recruitment and retention strategies
• Serve as liaison with school administration, parents, and community entities
• Prepare and evaluate staff performance reviews
• Mentor and coach staff with monthly development
• Facilitate bi-monthly team meetings
• Set standards for quality youth development programming
• Engage community residents and partners to address needs
• Navigate community culture to ensure program quality
• Advocate for program needs via surveys and assessments
• Seek at least 3 new partners annually to leverage resources
• Create quarterly events and workshops
• Assess programs quarterly to meet needs
• Ensure attendance tracking and regulatory compliance
• Respond to communications within 2 business days
• Coordinate major events with other centers
• Manage CACFP food program and documentation
• Communicate with NYCHA and DYCD stakeholders
• Prepare monthly event calendars
• Create budget plan for program needs
• Collaborate on cross-borough events and planning
• Maintain facility logs and coordinate maintenance
• Oversee bi-yearly facility upgrades
• Support after-hours and weekend operations during summer

Skills

Budget management

Contract/grant management

Public speaking

Organizational skills

Team leadership

Strategic thinking

Independent worker

Multi-tasking

Research skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

5+ years in youth services

2+ years supervisory experience

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Internet research

Job description

TITLE: Cornerstone Program Director

DEPARTMENT: Youth and Community Development Services

PROGRAM: DYCD Cornerstone Initiative

LOCATION: Lafayette Gardens Community Center,442 DeKalb Avenue,Brooklyn, NY 11205

WORK SCHEDULE: School Year: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., occasional weekends

Summer:Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; at least 3 days out of the summer program weeks PD must close program at 11pm; Saturdays & Sundays (various);

SALARY RANGE: $70,000-$75,000

REPORTS TO: Brooklyn Deputy Director

DATE: September 2026

JOB SUMMARY: Grand Street Settlement Cornerstone Program Directors are responsible for the overall development, implementation, and supervision of the NYCHA Community Center. In addition, there is an expectation of high-quality, innovative programming for our elementary, middle school, high school, and adult participants.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree and equivalent of 5+ years in youth services required; at least 2 of those years are in a supervisory role required; master's degree in a related field preferred
• Familiarity with the community, key stakeholders, and resources
• Experienced in designing, planning, and implementing structured programs
• 2+ years in supervising more than 10 program staff
• 2+ years of budget, contract, and grant management experience
• Ability to work independently, assess priorities, and take initiative
• High level of proficiency in administrative work
• Capacity to thrive under pressure while working on multiple tasks and projects
• Knowledge of the public education system and positive youth development best practices
• Strong public speaking, writing, and organizational skills
• A team player with demonstrated commitment to working with urban youth and young adults from an asset-based perspective
• Ability to set up and maintain a work environment that challenges gender stereotypes and is LGBTQIA+-friendly
• A background in partnering with the Department of Education and local community-based organizations to support programs
• Have skills in experiential learning and group facilitation with youth
• Must be an outstanding strategic thinker
• Must be flexible, cooperative, and willing to work in a team environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Proficiency in a variety of internet research and communication functions
• Experienced in DYCD programming regulations and DYCD online
• Must obtain NYC Dept. of Health fingerprint clearance and State Central Registry (SCR) clearance ($25 fee)
• Must have NYS Food Handler’s Certificate
• Must be CPR and Advanced First Aid Certified
• Bilingual (Spanish or Chinese preferred) a plus

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program & Community Development:

• Required to complete SACC Program Director's (30-hour) credentials
• Provide leadership and strategic direction to full-time and part-time program staff
• Recruit, hire, orient, and evaluate program staff assigned to center-based after-school program, evenings, Saturdays, and summer day camp
• Provide direct/indirect supervision of all program staff and delivery of services on a day-to-day basis, in order to ensure that all goals, targets, and performance outcomes are met on a daily/weekly/monthly basis
• Responsible for participant recruitment and retention strategies by utilizing the DYCD online report
• Serve as the primary liaison for school administration, parents, and other community entities and constituencies
• Prepare and evaluate mid-year performance reviews of program staff
• Work with program staff to improve job performance through ongoing mentoring and coaching, and monthly staff development
• Facilitate bi-monthly team meetings and ensure that all staff meetings are properly executed
• Set, communicate, and enforce clear standards for quality youth development programming
• Actively engage community residents, local businesses, community leaders, tenant association, youth, and Resident Advisor to participate in monthly advisory board and youth council to support to community needs
• Must understand and navigate community culture and dynamics to ensure program quality
• Participate in ongoing efforts to advocate for program needs via community coalition building and via administering feedback surveys and program assessments
• Seek partnership opportunities and bring in at least 3 new partners a year to leverage resources

to support programs

• Create quarterly community events, special events, and workshop series
• Assess programs quarterly to ensure that community needs are met

Administrative:

• Ensure attendance tracking and reporting meet contractual requirements regarding enrollment and attendance.
• Respond to all electronic and phone communication within 2 business days
• Ensure all DOH School-Aged Child Care and DOH Summer Day Camp regulations and procedures are complied with and conduct quarterly self-checklist inspections
• Coordinate and execute all major events and activities along with other GSS’s Program Directors
• Responsible for the CACFP Food Program and all of its components, including reporting and maintaining appropriate documentation
• Communicate with NYCHA and DYCD key stakeholders, as well as participate in meetings
• Prepare monthly calendar of events, programs, meetings, and activities.
• Create a budget plan that supports program needs and ensure timely spending.
• Collaborate on cross-borough and agency/ department wide events and strategic planning efforts

Facility:

• Maintain and diligently follow up on facility logs to ensure timely response
• Ensure maintenance and cleanliness of facility and coordinate with agency (NYCHA & DYCD) to proactively and effectively address facility issues
• Bi-yearly beautification/upgrade projects for the center
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Deputy Director/CPO
• SUMMER: Manage MS Expansion program (open seven days a week) as required and be available during off hours to provide additional support as needed to the Assistant Director and Evening Supervisors (including weekends).

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER (EOE)