Program Director – Youth Development

YMCA; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Generous PTO and holidays

Ongoing leadership development

YMCA membership for you and family

Job summary

The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is seeking a Program Director to lead youth development programs across our communities in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The role oversees afterschool, camp, enrichment, and youth-serving initiatives, providing operational leadership and staff supervision.

You will build high-quality experiences for children, teens, and families, ensure licensing compliance, and collaborate with leadership on budgeting, staffing, and program performance to strengthen

Qualifications

• 2+ years of leadership experience in youth programs, camps, recreation, afterschool, or community-based programs.
• Experience supervising teams and managing operations.
• Strong communication, organization, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to positive youth development.
• Ability to meet applicable state licensing and regulatory requirements for youth-serving programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations for school-age and camp programs.
• Recruit, coach, and develop program staff and site leaders.
• Build a positive, mission-driven team culture.
• Ensure safe, engaging, and high-quality youth experiences.
• Strengthen relationships with families, schools, and community partners.
• Support enrollment growth and program expansion.
• Ensure compliance with licensing, safety, and YMCA standards.
• Collaborate with YMCA leadership on budgeting, staffing, and program performance.

Skills

Leadership experience

Staff supervision

Program operations

Communication & relationship-building

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education, Recreation, Human Services, Youth Development, or related field

Job description

Posted Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Position: Program Director - Youth Development Salary Range: $50,000 - $52,000

Leading afterschool, camp, enrichment, and youth engagement programs.

Lead teams. Build programs. Strengthen community.

The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is seeking a passionate and experienced Program Director to lead high-quality youth development programs that support children, teens, and families across our communities in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

This leadership role is responsible for overseeing youth development programs, including out-of-school time, camps, enrichment programs, and other youth-serving initiatives. The Program Director provides operational leadership, staff supervision, program quality oversight, and community engagement to ensure exceptional experiences that help young people achieve, relate, and belong.

This position is ideal for a mission-driven leader who enjoys developing staff, building community partnerships, and creating safe, engaging environments where youth can thrive.

What you will do at the Y:

• Lead daily operations for school-age and camp programs
• Recruit, coach, and develop program staff and site leaders
• Build a positive, mission-driven team culture
• Ensure safe, engaging, and high-quality youth experiences
• Strengthen relationships with families, schools, and community partners
• Support enrollment growth and program expansion
• Ensure compliance with licensing, safety, and YMCA standards
• Collaborate with YMCA leadership on budgeting, staffing, and program performance

What You Bring:

• 2+ years of leadership experience in youth programs, camps, recreation, afterschool, or community-based programs
• Bachelor's degree in Education, Recreation, Human Services, Youth Development, or related field required for licensing compliance
• Experience supervising teams and managing operations
• Strong communication, organization, and relationship-building skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Commitment to positive youth development
• Ability to meet applicable state licensing and regulatory requirements for youth-serving programs

Why You Should Join Us: At the YMCA, you'll do more than manage programs - you'll help shape experiences that help young people build confidence, connection, and belonging.

We invest in leaders who want to grow their impact and strengthen communities.

• Meaningful impact supporting youth and families in your community
• Opportunity to lead a program and grow your leadership experience
• Collaborative culture with a mission-driven team
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous PTO and holidays
• Ongoing training and leadership development
• YMCA membership for you and your family

The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a workplace culture where all employees are treated with fairness and respect.