Program Director

Job Description

Job Description

Summary

FirstSpark’s (FS) Program Director plays a critical role in the organization and within the sixteen (16) jurisdiction Ready Region Chesapeake Bay (RRCB). The Program Director supervises the Early Childhood Program Success Manager, and Early Childhood Access Manager, works closely with the Research and Data Analyst, and is accountable for the Early Childhood Systems (ECS) Department to develop and deliver programs and initiatives.The director cultivates relationships and collaborates with a range of stakeholders, actively exploring new partnerships and funding opportunities. Community engagement is a vital aspect of this role, and the director works with staff to develop effective engagement strategies, support community events, form local and regional collaborations, and maintain open and active communication with the community.

Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the Program Director will be a strategic thought-partner and a hands-on, participative director seeking to lead and develop a diverse internal team. In partnership with the Executive Director (ED), the Program Director supports implementation of the organization’s Strategic Plan to ensure organizational capacity toward a high-performing organization. Financial and administrative responsibilities are also central to this role, requiring careful management of funding and budgets, and working closely with the ED on business operations matters, as well as state and federal grants and contract management.

The FS Program Director supports overarching Communications / Marketing / PR strategies for the organization in conjunction with the ED, Board of Directors, and contracted professional service providers.

The hiring range for this position is $79,000 - $83,000 annually

Duties

Leadership and Management

• Lead early childhood content to drive program planning, system changes, and organizational leadership, ensuring equity at all levels.
• Provide oversight for the development, execution, and expansion of initiatives, managing key metrics to assess the success of FS early childhood programs.
• Model the mission, vision, and values of FS and promote a culture of inclusion, respect, and partnership.
• Guide the vision and strategic direction of the organization with other FS leaders.
• In partnership with the ED, support the organization’s efforts to operationalize the Strategic Plan, which will provide the framework for high level goals and outcomes measurements for FS.
• In partnership with the ED and the EarlyChildhood Systems Department, ensure the successful and full regional implementation of Ready Regions as part of the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF) statewide reorganization of early childhood systems-building initiatives.
• Support the organization’s strategic alliances and partnerships by representing FS in the community and when appropriate at the state level on committees, work groups and alliances / coalitions, as mutually agreed upon with the ED.
• Supervise and evaluate the performance of the Early Childhood Program Success Manager, Early Childhood Access Manager, and Research and Data Analyst, as well as the work of contract workers and fractional employees providing Marketing / PR services and other supports.
• Ensure accountability measurements are met, and the organization is meeting its high-level objectives and deliverables to funders and early childhood partners.
• Lead efforts across all functions of FS to support this effort to coordinate and align early childhood programs and partners across the region.
• In conjunction with the ED, recruit, onboard and retain a diverse, high-performing team and monitor and support the certification and professional development needs of staff to ensure compliance and continued growth.
• Manage staff effectively, fostering a positive, aligned team environment and culture for current and future system changes.
• Conduct regular meetings with staff to keep the team updated on changes at a state, regional and local level, build alignment around our mission and brand, and sustain engagement and enthusiasm for our work.

Finance and Administration

Strategic Program Management

oBuild Relationships

oIncrease Access

oStrengthen Quality

oEngage Families

Marketing and PR

OTHER DUTIES

Other related job duties, responsibilities and activities may be needed to help drive our vision, fulfill our mission, and abide by our organization’s values.

Requirements

Ability to preserve the confidentiality of information and exercise discretion.

Nice To Haves

Benefits

Up to 3% match IRA, Health Insurance, Paid Annual, and Sick Leave