The Program Director oversees the coordination and administration of all aspects of the Up2Us Coach program in Los Angeles, including:1) assisting with city program strategy; 2) planning for and executing all yearly program activities and new initiatives; 3) maintaining program quality and compliance; and, 4) hiring and supporting staff.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
The Program Director performs a wide range of duties including some or all of the following:
1. Assist with City Program Strategy and Plan and Execute Program Activities
- Manage the Coach program in adherence with AmeriCorps (California Volunteers)
- Work with regional partners and Development Team to grow the program in the Southern California region.
- Deliver the program in accordance with the mission and the goals of the organization and the unique needs of the Los Angeles region.
- In coordination with national and regional leadership, develop and implement long-term goals and objectives to achieve the successful outcome of the Up2Us Coach program.
- Communicate professionally with partners, community leaders, funders and other stakeholders to gain community support for the program and to solicit input to improve the program.
- Liaise with other staff to ensure the effective and efficient program delivery
- Supervise the planning and execution of the partnership with Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) and the Dodgers RBI program
- In conjunction with the National Training Team and the LA Regional Trainer, design and develop a coach training program to achieve outcomes in partnership with LA84 and the needs of the LA region.
2. Maintain Program Quality and Compliance
- Ensure that program activities operate within the policies and procedures of the organization
- Ensure that program activities comply with all relevant AmeriCorps legislation and professional standards, specifically coordinating with California Volunteers (CV).
- Develop and maintain forms and records to document program activities
- Direct all local data collection efforts, with support from national Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) department
- Write reports on the program for management and for funders
- Communicate with funders as outlined in funding agreements
- Monitor and approve all budgeted program expenditures
- Manage all project funds according to established accounting policies and procedures
- Ensure financial reports and supporting documentation for funders are prepared as outlined in funding agreements
- Identify and evaluate the risks associated with program activities and take appropriate action to control the risks
- Monitor the program activities on a regular basis with M&E staff and conduct an annual evaluation according to the program evaluation framework
3. Staff the program
- In consultation with the Director of Coach Program, recruit, interview and select well-qualified program support staff
- Manage, support, and evaluate staff per national and city-based standards and processes.
- Recruit and engage volunteers for appropriate program activities using established volunteer management practices
- Ensure that all program staff receive an appropriate orientation to the organization and the programs
- Ensure all staff members receive orientation and appropriate training in accordance with organizational standards.
- Supervise program staff by providing direction, input and feedback
- Implement on-boarding processes for new staff
Qualifications
Education
- University degree in a related subject
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of program management
- Knowledge of client groups and/or issues related to the program area
Proficiency in the use of computers for:
- Word processing
- Simple accounting
- Database and spreadsheet management
- E-mail
- Internet
The Program Director should demonstrate competence in some or all of the following:
- Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices, and ensure that own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization
- Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.
- Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using
- Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to improve operations of the organization and to create new opportunities.
- Focus on Client Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
- Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
- Lead: Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization.
- Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
- Organize: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities.
- Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.
- Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.
Experience
- 5-plus years of experience managing multiple staff and program activities
- Experience working with AmeriCorps programs, California Volunteers (CV) experience highly desired
Working Conditions
- Program Directors usually work in an office environment but the mission of the organization may sometimes take them to non-standard workplaces.
- Program Directors work a standard work week (i.e., 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday) but may be required to work some evenings and weekends to monitor program activities.