Wayfinders Program Director, 21st Century CCLC

Portland Public Schools, Maine; Portland (ME); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Portland Public Schools is seeking a Program Director to lead Wayfinders, a 21st CCLC grant-funded summer and afterschool program. The role oversees leadership, budgeting, data collection, and reporting, while building partnerships and coordinating alignment with school day activities.

The successful candidate will manage staff hiring, training, and professional development, spearhead recruitment efforts, and secure ongoing funding for program longevity beyond the grant cycle.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3–5 years of teaching experience.
• Minimum of 1 year program leadership experience.
• Proven experience in curriculum design, out-of-school time programming, and/or grant-funded (21st CCLC) educational environments.
• Experience working with diverse student populations and a demonstrated commitment to educational equity.
• Current teacher certification with 020 or 029 endorsement preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full 21st CCLC grant cycle, ensuring all programs meet MDOE requirements, and district mission goals.
• Establishes and maintains positive and respectful working relationships with students, school day staff, program staff, administration, parents/guardians, and community partners and members.
• Align school day and Wayfinders program (students' needs, academic support, enrichment opportunities, behavioral procedures, staffing, family engagement, sharing of space, data collection, staff meetings, etc.).
• Meets regularly with school admin, program partners, and other district personnel to ensure programming is meeting the needs of students and families.
• Manage budgeting, data collection and reporting; coordinate essential services like transportation, meals, and facilities, etc.
• Direct the hiring process, including interviewing, onboarding, and training, and provide continuous professional development for staff and volunteers.
• Drive student recruitment and retention to meet enrollment goals through active school and community engagement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with school leadership, families, and community partners to align academic goals and enrichment opportunities.
• Drive continuous program development and quality improvement to ensure offerings remain engaging, enjoyable, and academically rigorous.
• Facilitate advisory board meetings and work to secure future funding and program longevity beyond the initial grant cycle.

Skills

Educational leadership

Budgeting

Data collection

Curriculum design

Stakeholder collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

Teaching experience (3-5 years)

Program leadership experience (1 year)

Grant-funded 21st CCLC experience

Teacher certification 020/029

Job description

Portland Public Schools is seeking a Program Director to lead Wayfinders, a 21st CCLC grant-funded summer and afterschool program. The role oversees leadership, budgeting, data collection, and reporting, while building partnerships and coordinating alignment with school day activities.

The successful candidate will manage staff hiring, training, and professional development, spearhead recruitment efforts, and secure ongoing funding for program longevity beyond the grant cycle.