Strategic Program Director - Youth & Circus Arts

Chicago Artists Coalition; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 78,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

403(b) retirement account

PTO 17 days

Sick leave 5 days

Paid holidays 13

Parental leave

Remote work 4 days/month

Mental health stipend

Tuition-free CircEsteem programming

Job summary

CircEsteem seeks a Program Director to lead the strategic vision, planning, and implementation of youth and adult programming. You will ally with operations, development, communications, and outreach teams and supervise teaching artists to ensure program excellence.

This senior role emphasizes data-driven evaluation, grants, curriculum fidelity, and external relations; on-site work in Uptown Chicago with a focus on equity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in education, arts education, youth development, or non-profit leadership.
• 7+ years in program development, implementation, and management with Chicago arts landscape knowledge.
• Data-driven culture development and operationalizing across programs.
• Strong communication and collaboration across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic visioning, planning, and implementation for youth programming.
• Supervise staff, including part-time teaching artists, with bi-annual evaluations.
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, and compliance for program staff.
• Develop onboarding schedules and professional development.

Skills

Social circus knowledge

Positive youth development (SEL)

Strategic leadership

Program evaluation & data collection

Fundraising & grant development

Diversity & social justice

Staff supervision

Salesforce CRM usage

Education

Master’s degree in education/arts education/non-profit leadership

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

CircEsteem seeks a Program Director to lead the strategic vision, planning, and implementation of youth and adult programming. You will ally with operations, development, communications, and outreach teams and supervise teaching artists to ensure program excellence.

This senior role emphasizes data-driven evaluation, grants, curriculum fidelity, and external relations; on-site work in Uptown Chicago with a focus on equity and inclusion.