Program Director Jobs in Elizabeth, NJ (NOW HIRING)

TITLE: Beacon Program Director

DEPARTMENT: Youth and Community Development Services

PROGRAM: DYCD Beacon Initiative

WORK SCHEDULE:
School Year: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., alternating Saturdays. PD is required to work and alternate a 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. shift with the Assistant Director twice a week.
Summer: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. as an exempt employee; working hours will include non-standard hours

SALARY RANGE: $80,000-82,000 annually

REPORTS TO: Manhattan Deputy Director of Youth Programs

DATE: July, 2026

The Beacon Program Director provides strategic leadership and overall management of Grand Street Settlement's Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Beacon Community Center, serving as the agency's primary liaison within the school and surrounding community. The Director is responsible for planning, implementing, and overseeing a comprehensive, year-round community center that provides high-quality, innovative programming and services for elementary and middle school youth, high school youth, adults, and older adults. In partnership with school leadership, community organizations, and agency staff, the Director fosters a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment that promotes academic achievement, positive youth development, family engagement, wellness, leadership, and community connection. The Director provides leadership in program development, staff supervision, partnership cultivation, fiscal and operational management, and continuous quality improvement while ensuring compliance with DYCD performance standards and advancing Grand Street Settlement's mission of strengthening individuals, families, and communities.

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Supervision of multiple budgets and programs
• Proven track record of successfully working with multiple school leadership teams and accompanying stakeholders
• At least three (3) years of experience working in a community center or school-based after-school program; at least two years of which were in a supervisory capacity.
• Required to obtain a SACC Program Director's (30-hour) credentials.
• Ability to work independently, assess priorities, and take initiative.
• Effective oral, written, and collaborative skills.
• Experience in lesson planning, curriculum development, and implementation of structured programming for students in school settings.
• Familiarity with Program Budgeting, fiscal management a plus.
• Familiarity with DYCD Connect and database management is a plus.
• Ability to maintain State Central Registry (SCR) clearance- $25 nonrefundable fee required and fingerprint clearance throughout the duration of employment.
• Experience working with students in urban school and/or community-based settings
• Must be computer literate.
• Capacity to thrive under pressure while working on multiple tasks and projects
• Must be able to build and maintain a productive working relationship with the school’s administration & personnel.
• Knowledge of the public education system and positive youth development best practices.
• Strong public speaking, writing, and organizational skills.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of New York State Learning Standards.
• Knowledge in STEM, Health & Sexuality, Careers & Life Planning, Sports & Adventure, and Academic Enrichment highly desirable.
• Must Be CPR/First Aid Certified
• Bilingual (Spanish or Chinese preferred) a plus

• Develop and implement comprehensive outreach, recruitment, enrollment, and retention strategies to maintain full enrollment in accordance with DYCD Beacon contract requirements, including 100 school-age participants (75 elementary and 25 middle school youth), 100 high school participants, and 100 adult participants.
• Monitor enrollment, attendance, retention, and participation data using DYCD Connect and agency reporting systems to ensure the program consistently meets or exceeds DYCD Results-Oriented Performance (ROP) standards, including maintaining a minimum 85% participant retention rate, and implement corrective action plans when needed.
• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of the DYCD Beacon Community Center, ensuring high-quality, inclusive programming that advances Grand Street Settlement's mission and meets all DYCD contractual, fiscal, and programmatic requirements.
• Provide leadership and coordination for all Grand Street Settlement programs operating within the school building, including the DYCD Beacon, COMPASS, SONYC, 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC), Summer Rising, holiday programming, and other agency initiatives, fostering collaboration, integrated service delivery, shared resources, and a seamless experience for participants and families.
• Serve as Grand Street Settlement's primary liaison to the school community by cultivating strong relationships with school leadership, teachers, support staff, parents, students, community organizations, funding partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Partner with school administration to align Beacon programming with school priorities, student success initiatives, and community needs while strengthening the connection between school-day and out-of-school-time learning.
• Develop, implement, and oversee high-quality programming that promotes academic success, STEM, arts enrichment, leadership development, physical wellness, workforce readiness, family engagement, and positive youth development for children, youth, adults, and older adults.
• Recruit, hire, supervise, coach, mentor, and evaluate full-time, part-time, seasonal, and volunteer staff while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, equity, and continuous professional growth.
• Provide leadership and support to site management teams by establishing clear expectations, conducting regular supervision and performance evaluations, and ensuring staff completes all required agency, DYCD, DOHMH/SACC, and regulatory trainings and certifications.
• Foster collaboration among all Grand Street Settlement programs housed within the school by coordinating services, sharing resources, jointly planning initiatives, and creating seamless pathways of support for children, youth, families, adults, and older adults.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with schools, community-based organizations, higher education institutions, businesses, healthcare providers, government agencies, and other stakeholders to expand resources and opportunities for participants and families.
• Secure a minimum of three (3) new strategic community partnerships annually that enhance programming and address identified community needs.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate at least four (4) major non-holiday community events annually that respond to community needs while promoting family engagement, community partnerships, and participant achievement.
• Conduct ongoing community needs assessments using participant feedback, stakeholder input, surveys, and program data to guide program planning and continuous improvement.
• Represent Grand Street Settlement at school leadership meetings, School Leadership Team meetings, Building Council meetings, DYCD convenings, community coalitions, and other stakeholder meetings.
• Develop and manage program budgets, monitor expenditures, and ensure responsible fiscal stewardship while supporting grant development, reporting, and resource development efforts.
• Ensure accurate enrollment, attendance, participant records, reporting, and documentation in compliance with DYCD, DOE, DOHMH/SACC, and agency requirements.
• Oversee the School Foods Program, educational field trips, participant showcases, and special events, ensuring compliance with agency policies and contractual expectations.
• Maintain a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment by collaborating with school personnel to address facility, maintenance, and safety concerns.
• Prepare for and successfully participate in DYCD, DOE, DOHMH, and internal monitoring visits, audits, and quality assurance reviews.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission and strategic priorities of Grand Street Settlement.

• Ensure accurate enrollment, attendance, participant records, and data entry in DYCD Connect and other agency systems to maintain compliance with contractual requirements.
• Oversee program budgets, monitor expenditures, and ensure timely purchasing and fiscal accountability in accordance with agency and funder guidelines.
• Prepare monthly program calendars, reports, schedules, and documentation to support effective program operations and communication.
• Ensure compliance with all DYCD, DOE, DOHMH School-Aged Child Care (SACC), Summer Day Camp, and Grand Street Settlement policies, procedures, and licensing requirements, including quarterly internal compliance reviews.
• Oversee the administration of the School Foods Program, ensuring compliance with all documentation, reporting, and food safety requirements.
• Coordinate major program events, participant showcases, and agency-wide initiatives in collaboration with Grand Street Settlement leadership and Program Directors.
• Maintain regular communication with DYCD, DOE, school leadership, funding partners, and agency departments while representing the program at required meetings and trainings.
• Collaborate with agency leadership on strategic planning, cross-site initiatives, quality improvement efforts, and organizational priorities.

• Ensure the Beacon Center maintains a safe, clean, welcoming, and inclusive environment for participants, families, staff, and community partners.
• Work collaboratively with school administration and custodial staff to address facility, maintenance, safety, and operational needs in a timely manner.
• Conduct routine facility inspections and ensure all program spaces meet health, safety, and licensing standards.
• Support emergency preparedness procedures and ensure compliance with agency and school safety protocols.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned in support of Grand Street Settlement's mission and operational needs.

Please submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position you are applying for. If selected, we ask that you also provide us with three (3) professional references that we can contact (at least one (1) professional reference should be from a former supervisor). Please click on the link provided below, or use the link in a search bar, and apply online through our career center.

https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=grandst&ccId=19000101_000001&type=MP&lang=en_US

No phone calls, please!

Please be advised that job offers can only be made once your clearances come through!

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER (EOE)