Program Director, Center of Innovation

U.S. Tennis Association of New England (USTA New England); Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Comprehensive benefits package

Generous paid time off

Tuition reimbursement program

Mental health resources

Pet insurance

Job summary

USTA Foundation is seeking a Program Director for Lulu’s Place to lead youth development programs and college/career readiness in a shared facility with partners. The role includes a managerial component over staff and volunteers.

You will collaborate with TGR Foundation and NJTL networks while ensuring Safe Play compliance, budgeting, and program quality across multiple sites. Strong communication and project management skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a related field.
• 5–7 years of program coordination or youth development experience.
• Tennis background preferred.
• CPR/First Aid/AED certifications or ability to obtain within 30 days.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations for USTAF Center of Innovation.
• Coordinate with Lulu’s Place Leadership, TGR Foundation, and partners.
• Lead design and implementation of direct day, weekend, and afterschool programs.
• Engage local communities and NJTL organizations to expand reach.
• Ensure safety, budget oversight, and compliance across programs.

Skills

Partner management

Safety certifications

Background checks

Project management software

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Workspace

Driver's license

Non-traditional hours

Physical stamina

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field (Sports Management, Recreation Admin, Education, Social Work, Non-Profit)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Workspace

Project management software

Participant tracking software

Job description

Who We Are

We are Tennis! The USTA (United States Tennis Association) is the national governing body for the sport of tennis and the leader in promoting and developing the sport’s growth on every level in the United States, from local communities to the crown jewel of the professional game, the US Open.

The USTA Foundation Incorporated (USTAF or USTA Foundation) is the social impact arm of the United States Tennis Association Incorporated (USTA), utilizing the powerful combination of tennis and education to enhance the lives of under-resourced youth through its support of the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network. For more than 50 years, NJTL has impacted thousands of under-resourced youth across the nation, and today the network features more than 270 chapters that reach more than 233,000,000 young people from under-resourced communities annually.

Why Work for the USTA?

We are a passionate team of staff and volunteers focused on growing the sport of tennis and making it accessible to all. We are committed to removing barriers and creating opportunities for ALL to participate.

About Lulu's Place

Lulu's Place will offer state-of-the-art facilities in Los Angeles, north of LAX airport, between the communities of Westchester and Playa del Rey, bringing together academic, athletic, and wellness programs for youth from all backgrounds. Trusted partners, including TGR Foundation, a Tiger Woods charity; the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and its charitable arm, USTA Foundation; Cedars-Sinai; and Providence will bring together professional teachers, coaches, mentors, and service providers to deliver high-quality programs to children and their families.

The vision for this project is rooted in the passion and generosity of Carol "Lulu" Kimmelman, a Southern California native, former elementary school teacher in South Los Angeles, and lifelong tennis player who passed away in 2017 after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Today, her husband, Doug Kimmelman, and their four children honor Lulu's legacy by advancing her mission to transform young people's lives and create greater equity in sports and education through this groundbreaking youth center.

The Role

The Program Director at Lulu’s Place will lead a youth development program focused on college and career readiness and non-degree career pathways, operating within a shared facility alongside several partner organizations. This position involves a managerial component, overseeing program staff and volunteers.

• Operational Oversight: Manage day-to-day operations for USTAF Center of Innovation (CoI), ensuring all activities align with the foundation’s mission, goals, priorities, and safety standards.
• Partner Integration: Lead coordination efforts with Lulu's Place Leadership, TGR Foundation, and other on-site program partners to successfully align on shared goals and execution of educational and tennis programming.
• Program Development: Lead design and oversee the planning and implementation for direct day, weekend, and afterschool programming. The programs will incorporate the core principles of the NJTL network, tennis, education, and mentorship
• Community Engagement: Sets the strategy and is responsible for the USTAF CoI engagement with local community partners, including greater LA NJTL organizations, school districts, charter schools, youth development organizations, and other key community stakeholders.
• Quality Assurance: Responsible for the oversight and delivery of USTAF programs and partnered programs to accomplish established and shared goals.
• Strategic Growth: Identify opportunities to test and expand programs/products to increase the reach and enhance the impact of NJTL sports-based interventions within the community.

Partner & Facility Coordination

• Stakeholder Liaison: Serve as the primary point of contact for diverse community partners, including non-profits, schools, and local NJTL organizations.
• Facility Scheduling: Work with the Lulu’s Place facility team and partners to manage the complex master calendars for shared facility use, balancing USTAF programming needs with Lulu's Place partners and community access.
• Collaborative Governance: Represent the USTAF by attending all regular partner meetings to ensure effective, efficient communication, align priorities, and minimize confusion and conflicts.
• Resource Allocation: Responsible for the USTAF offices and footprint at Lulu's Place.

Impact Measurement & Reporting

• Data Collection: Implement systems to track participant attendance, demographic data, and youth development outcomes across all partner programs.
  • Align with the USTAF leadership in the development of the “measures of success” and align with Lulu's Place partners to align on shared goals
• Reporting: Capture and deliver program data into reports for foundation leadership, donors, and community stakeholders.
• Evaluation: Use qualitative and quantitative feedback to assess the effectiveness of the "collective impact" model at the facility site.

Compliance & Administration

• Safety & Risk Management: Ensure all partners and staff meet Safe Play compliance per the USTA requirements, including regular training and background checks. Ideally, all USTAF staff and program partners will be CPR/First Aid certified, including AED.
• Budget Oversight: Manage the USTAF operational budget in collaboration with the leadership of the Programs and Services team of the USTA Foundation.
• Grant Compliance: Assist partners in meeting the reporting requirements and performance benchmarks tied to USTA Foundation Program activities and funding
• Ensure the program's compliance with all applicable Lulu’s Place youth safety policies, background check requirements, and licensing standards
• Establish and oversee data collection, record-keeping, and reporting systems for student participation and outcomes across all program functions
• Oversee vendor and service provider relationships (transportation, curriculum materials, technology, etc.)
• In addition to the stated compliance and administration duties, review and maintain organizational policies and procedures, updating as needed to reflect best practices and legal requirements
• Manage three full-time direct reports

Who You Are

• Education: A bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Sports Management, Recreation Administration, Education, Social Work, or Non-Profit Management is required.
• Work Experience: 5 to 7 years of experience in program coordination, youth development, or sports administration. Tennis background and/or understanding of the tennis environment is preferred.
• Partner Management: Proven track record of managing relationships with community partners, schools, or diverse local organizations is required.
• Safety Certifications: Valid CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications (or the ability to obtain them within 30 days of hire) are required.
• Clearance: Ability to pass comprehensive, recurring federal and state background checks to work with minors is required.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong skills in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel), Google Workspace, and familiarity with project management or participant tracking software are required.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for travel between facility sites is required.
• Schedule Flexibility: Ability to work non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends, to align with youth sports schedules is required.
• Physical Stamina: Ability to be mobile and active on sports courts or fields for extended periods and lift/move equipment up to 50 lbs is required.

What We Offer

At the USTA, we know people are our most important asset. For this reason, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of a diverse workforce!

• Flexibility: Our Hybrid with Flexibility approach combines a balance of remote working with in-office collaboration to spark teamwork and creativity.
• Comprehensive benefits designed to meet your unique needs: Medical, dental, vision, access to doctors virtually, a flexible spending account to manage your health and dependent care expenses, and life and disability insurance are a small part of our offerings.
• Time to recharge and energize: Generous paid time off policy - including vacation, sick, personal, and paid holidays, parental leave, and a paid winter recess.
• Plan for your future financially and professionally: 401(k) with employer matching (up to 6.5%), promotional and growth opportunities, Learning and Development programs to learn on the job, and up to $7,000 for tuition reimbursement.
• Mental and emotional wellness: Resources for overall well-being, including mental health and meditation benefits.
• Other cool perks: A personalized health management program, pet insurance, commuter benefits, identity theft protection, discounts with our network of partners, and fun events are just a few of the optional benefits available.

The expected range for the annual base salary for this position is $85,000 - 105,000.

This role is eligible for an Incentive Compensation Plan (ICP) bonus up to 10%. This range does not include any additional pay or benefits for which a person may qualify. The actual base salary offered is determined by several variables, including, as appropriate, the applicant's qualifications for the position, the years of relevant experience, their unique skills, and the location from which they will be performing the job.

Come One, Come All

USTA is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities for all individuals, regardless of age, disability, national origin, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, family status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.