Programs Director Jobs in Kent, WA (NOW HIRING)

No longer accepting applications.
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
SUMMER SEARCH, SEATTLE
At Summer Search, we believe in 'No Ceilings' and envision a world in which young people, regardless of circumstances, can chart their own destiny. In the United States, students from underserved communities - disproportionately BIPOC and first-generation - face systemic inequities in school, in the workforce, and in life. Nevertheless, these young people possess unique strengths, resilience, and limitless potential.
Since 1990, Summer Search has partnered with young people during their transition from adolescence into adulthood by connecting them to expansive opportunities, professional mentoring, and a community of support. Summer Searchers recognize their potential and build a toolkit to navigate and challenge systemic barriers, break new ground for their families and communities, and achieve economic equity and a life of purpose.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Summer Search Seattle is seeking a Director of Programs who will oversee quality delivery and performance of programs for an established and far-reaching program serving 350-400 high school students and 120 first year post-secondary students. Reporting to the Seattle Executive Director, this hire will directly manage a team of five staff who deliver our core programming including high school and post-secondary mentorship and summer experiences. The Director of Programs will build and maintain crucial partnerships, drive key projects, and make a direct impact on Summer Search Seattle participants through developing and implementing program strategies.
This dynamic role offers the opportunity to learn from and work closely with an experienced Executive Director as a thought partner and to lead a passionate and dedicated team of youth development professionals.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Management

• Supervise the entire Seattle program team: three high school mentors, a post-secondary mentor, and a Senior Program Operations Coordinator.
• As a team leader, provide individualized supervision, performance management and evaluation, and on-going training (in partnership with National Learning and Development). Provide nuanced and holistic coaching centered in well-being, critical consciousness, and student support in 1:1 and group settings.
• Hold team accountability for data tracking in Salesforce and for achieving programmatic metrics and goals, such as participant engagement and outreach, summer participation, retention, matriculation, internship placements, graduation rate, etc.
• Ensure the timely response to student safety issues related to their physical, social, and emotional welfare through overseeing proper interventions and protocols; and instituting crisis management plans to ensure site preparedness.
• Facilitate budget management for High School, Transition, Outreach, and/or Summer Experience budgets, including any relevant non-personnel expenses.

Program Strategy and Oversight

• Oversee planning and execution of participant events and program model to increase participant engagement and ensure Summer Search Seattle is fulfilling participant needs from sophomore year of high school through first year post-high school graduation.
• In close partnership with the Executive Director, innovate and enhance the local strategy and delivery of the program, including group and 1:1 mentoring, post-secondary planning, financial well-being, supporting 350-400 high school participants, 120 post-secondary year 1s, and indirectly 400+ post-secondary year 2-6 participants.
• Serve as a thought partner to the Executive Director, helping resolve key programmatic and personnel challenges, offering strategic perspectives that may be less visible to them, and helping identify risks and tradeoffs.
• Ensure a high-quality data culture by establishing clear expectations for accurate and timely data collection and utilizing data to analyze key drivers/barriers to program progress and performance.
• Maintain and build Summer Search Seattle partnerships with schools and Community Based Organizations.
• Oversee Program Operations Coordinator in annual recruitment of participants, meeting Summer Search Seattle's recruitment target (60-70+ students for the next program year).
• Provide support both nationally and locally for Summer on-call service during summer experiences.
• Partner with other Directors of Program across the network to gain perspective to inform local strategies and decisions through participation in Program Site Lead Cohort.
• Create and implement internal site policies and expectations to ensure programmatic success and alignment.

WHO YOU ARE
The Director of Programs will be a highly motivated and self-led leader and team player who thrives in an authentic, feedback-driven culture exemplifying curiosity, empathy, teamwork, flexibility, critical consciousness, and a commitment to learning. Specifically, strong candidates will bring:

• EXPERIENCE: At least 7 years of professional experience, including 3+ years in a leadership role with responsibility leading people and overseeing programs, ideally in the education, career development or youth development sector.
• PEOPLE MANAGEMENT: You coach, guide and support members of your team towards achieving individual and collective goals. As a leader you embody practices to effectively hold space, facilitate professional growth, amplify strengths, and hold staff members accountable. Your management style reflects your ability to be adaptive, responsive, and supportive of your team to show up as their authentic and full self.
• STRATEGIC ACUMEN: You anticipate, articulate, and prepare for various outcomes and use this skill to collaboratively develop objectives and priorities that are informed by data and align with the organizational direction.
• CRITICAL CONCIOUSNESS: You have an understanding of the root causes of societal discrimination and injustices and are self-reflective about your own privilege and positional power. You apply critical thinking and take action toward liberatory and inclusive practices.
• CHANGE MINDSET: You have a desire to learn, grow and improve with an evolving organization. You prioritize transparency and communication and recognize that it is critical to supporting others to thrive amidst change.
• ACCOUNTABILITY: You hold yourself and others responsible for processes, decisions, actions, and commitments to results to drive high quality outcomes. You're responsive to the needs of stakeholders and follow through on commitments.
• TECHNOLOGY: Proficiency in CRM, specifically Salesforce, is a plus.

Additionally, all Summer Search staff bring a commitment to our mission of unleashing students' potential through mentoring and transformative experiences, as well as the ability to thrive in an environment that values excellence, gratitude, well-being, diversity, authenticity, and collaboration.
LOCATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Work hours are Mon-Fri 10am-6pm. This is a hybrid position with two days a week in office in Tukwila and three days a week remote (subject to change). Occasional work on evenings and weekends for events is required.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
This is an exempt position with an annual salary ranging from $101,435 - 109,165. Summer Search is committed to transparent, equitable compensation practices. Salaries are benchmarked using current market data and salary bands are created to demonstrate the growth potential within the band. Typically, offers are made at the starting place of the salary band. The Hiring Manager partners with the Talent Team to ensure offers are appropriate, competitive and maintain internal equity.
Well-being, flexibility, and ongoing learning and development are pillars of our culture. We value our staff and are committed to creating an environment where every individual feels seen, heard and valued. Investments in our staff include:

• Medical insurance with up to 90% employer contribution.
• Dental, vision, FSA, life and disability insurance plans.
• 401 (K) and Employer Match up to $2,000 annually.
• Generous time off including 15 vacation days, 10 sick days, and 18 holidays (2 floating holidays of your choice, a birthday day-off, 10 company-wide holidays, and a 1-week December closure). Plus, Re-Fresh Friday's - a paid day off the first Friday of every month!
• A comprehensive Employee Recognition Program (years of service awards, spot awards, and professional development funding).
• A four-week paid sabbatical after five years of continuous employment.
• Individual, local, regional and national training
• A commitment to developing leaders from within the organization.
• An organizational culture that supports staff well-being and holistic self-care/community care.
• Ample opportunities to connect with the students and communities we serve.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
With a staff that cares deeply about social justice and racial justice, we believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds create a rich work environment and enhance our ability to pursue our mission. We are committed to building an organization with raised consciousness in order to impact how we work with students, as well as how we work together as a team. We hope you will join us as we continue to build a justice-centered organization that fosters a work environment where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued.
TO APPLY
Select "Apply for this Position" below to submit a resume and targeted cover letter that answers the question, "Why are you interested in the Director of Programs position at Summer Search?" Please address cover letters to Melissa Johnson, Seattle Executive Director.
No longer accepting applications.
SUMMER SEARCH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.