Job description

Educational Alliance brings together and partners with diverse communities in Lower Manhattan, offering individuals and families high-quality, multi-generational programs and services that enhance their well-being and socioeconomic opportunities. We are a place where everyone is welcome and where progress is powered one relationship at a time. We are proud of our legacy as a Jewish organization and we provide high-quality, transformational services and programs to all New Yorkers through our network of community centers on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and East Village. As we have for 130 years, we offer best-in-class programming–now across 15 sites—focusing on a mix of education, health and wellness, arts and culture, and civic engagement.

The Role:

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Sr. Director of Programs for the Community Schools and Youth Development (CSYD) department is responsible for building a strong team, fostering dynamic organizational culture and strengthening our programs and impact in our communities. The Sr. Director of Programs will embody and lead CSYD in the execution of its mission and vision, while upholding Educational Alliance’s values. As a member of the CSYD senior leadership team, the Sr. Director of Programs is a key liaison between our school-based programs and Educational Alliance internal Operations and Development. The Sr. Director of Programs will have approximately ten direct reports, including seven afterschool program directors and three community school directors. This position oversees all program-related activities, provides vision and strategy around future departmental needs, and strengthens staff capacity and organizational culture.

The Sr. Director of Programs must be an experienced educator and/or youth developer, a skilled manager capable of working with teams and programs across multiple sites, a seasoned collaborator with a demonstrable history working with various stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes. The position will collaborate with program directors to assess, develop plans, and oversee the Community School and CSYD afterschool programs.

Responsibilities:

The Sr. Director of Programs assumes the following responsibilities under the Executive Director and in collaboration with other members of the CSYD leadership team and their staff:

Vision and Strategy:

· Inspiring Leadership. Provide effective and thoughtful leadership by building strong relationships with program directors, students, families, school based teams, and all members of CSYD.

· Strategic Vision. Provide vision and mission, assisting in the development of a strategic plan. Provide strategy and assistance around the budget for future programming, staffing, training, space, infrastructure and system needs that will help the department more effectively carry out its mission with a focus on continuous quality improvement.

Staff Development:

· Staff Growth. Oversee recruitment, onboarding, selection and training for program teams, including drafting and updating job descriptions, conducting interviews and coordinating training opportunities.

· Professional Development. In partnership with the CSYD Director of Finance & Operations, foster a work environment that is learning and growing together. Provide training and staff development opportunities for all community school and after-school program staff, building a supportive environment and enhancing the staff’s professional capabilities through training and coaching.

· Staff Performance Evaluation. Conduct regular staff evaluations, strengthening the current structure and process, ensuring a smooth, intentional and proactive evaluation process. Oversee the process of conflict resolution within the department as needed to build a cohesive, relationship-driven work environment.

Program Oversight

· Program Oversight. Work with community school directors and program directors to strengthen programmatic policies and program spaces. Through effective communication and strategic planning, create clear program goals and expectations. Conduct biweekly site visits, at a minimum twice per month. Fill in in the absence of a director. Conduct site team meetings once a month.

· Program Impact and Evaluation. Collaborate with program staff and EA’s Research & Evaluation team, to develop an evaluation system approved by the ED, to assess CSYD school-based programs. Innovate new methodologies and work closely with program directors to ensure and enhance program impact.

· Meeting Facilitation. Coordinate the departmental meeting and check-in frameworks for all community school and program directors, ensuring consistency and structured processes for both program directors and programmatic teams.

· Policies and Practice. Implement practices and develop new policies that reinforce CSYD’s values, promote professional well-being, staff retention, and long-term sustainability.

External Relations

· Government Relations. Coordinate with EA’s compliance team to ensure compliance with regulations and contracts across all partner City Agencies, including the Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD), the NYC Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (DOE), and any other partner funders, donors or other initiatives.

-School Administration. Meet with site principals and other relevant school administrative staff at least monthly.

Other:

· Stay abreast of best practices in community school, afterschool programs and youth development.

· Maintain comprehensive awareness of the requirements set forth by funders, donors, and partner agencies, and ensure strict adherence to all compliance standards.

· Attend internal and external meetings as requested or required by the ED.

· Perform other tasks as assigned.

Requirements/Qualifications:

To perform this new and critical position successfully, the Sr. Director of Programs must be able to fulfill all the elements of the job description to the highest standard and be able to work well with colleagues and stakeholders in a high energy and collaborative work environment. All employees are expected to contribute to ongoing growth and improvement in their departments via excellent job performance and proactive communication.

· Master’s degree and a background in youth development, education or similar field is required.

· Proven track record of effectively leading direct service programs with the ability to leverage staff strengths across program sites; DYCD experience preferred.

· Strong management and decision-making skills including the ability to influence, engage, and lead others to new levels of effectiveness and programmatic impact.

· Strong emotional intelligence and ability to coach, mentor, relate and listen to team members.

· Demonstrated ability to be an analytic and decisive decision maker with the ability to prioritize and communicate to staff key objectives and tactics necessary to achieve organizational goals.

· Exceptional written, oral and presentation skills with the ability to effectively communicate with senior management, staff, and external stakeholders.

· Experience in program evaluation as well as knowledge in nonprofit assessment methods and tactics.

· Demonstrated computer expertise with Microsoft Office tools, Google applications and email applications; and database systems.

· Self-motivated, results driven, detail oriented, and adaptable.

· Able to exercise good judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.

Benefits:

· Generous PTO Policy

· Competitive Salary

· Medical & Dental Insurance

· Pension Plan

· 403b Retirement Plans

· Discount Perks for Movies, Broadway Shows, Amusement Parks, Etc.

· Free Gym Membership to our Manny Cantor Center Gym & 14TH ST Y Gym

· Discounts to programs at Educational Alliance

Limitations and Disclaimer

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position.

EEO Info

Educational Alliance is committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity and expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Educational Alliance takes affirmative action in support of its policy to employ and advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

Educational Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For further information about Educational Alliance, please visit https://edalliance.org.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $110,000-120,000 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person