Director of Scholar Programs

Director of Scholar Programs

Status: Full-time, Administrative Exempt

Reports To: Chief Program Officer

Supervises: Manager, Scholar Programs; Coordinator, Programs

Salary Range: $90,000-120,000

Position Summary

The Director of Scholar Programs provides strategic, operational, and programmatic leadership for all scholar-facing experiences at Point Foundation. This role serves as a strategic partner to the Chief Program Officer, shaping program strategy and execution, designing and delivering curriculum for virtual and in-person programming, overseeing compliance and scholar processes, and ensuring exceptional scholar engagement and outcomes. The Director manages external partnerships tied to program content and supervises staff responsible for scholar operations and compliance. They champion systems, tools, and workflows that elevate scholar experience while enabling broad reach and operational excellence.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a critical thought and implementation partner to the Chief Program Officer
• Represent the CPO in internal strategy meetings and selected external engagements
• Lead annual planning and goal-setting processes for scholar-facing programming
• Implement and refine technology-enabled systems and processes that streamline operations and support efficient program delivery at scale.
• Develop department KPIs and ensure alignment with organizational priorities

Program Design & Delivery

• Manage the planning and execution of virtual and in-person programs (including the National Leadership Conference and New Scholar Orientation) by overseeing program content, scholar and volunteer engagement, logistics, and communications
• Design the annual virtual program curriculum, including educational goals, topic flow, and facilitation structures
• Lead program content strategy and learning architecture for the in-person summer conference
• Ensure coherence between virtual, in-person, and partner-driven programming
• Maintain a multi-year program development framework that supports scholar growth
• Use evaluation data to refine program design and drive continuous improvement

External Partnerships

• Cultivate and manage relationships with corporate, foundation, and content partners
• Design programming with partners to ensure relevance and alignment with learning goals
• Represent the program team in strategic partner initiatives

Scholar Engagement and Accountability

• Interpret, maintain, and refine policies related to scholar participation and compliance
• Make final decisions on escalated scholar petitions, including LOAs, enrollment exemptions, and extensions
• Oversee scholar outcomes tracking and ensure accurate reporting

Team Supervision & Department Operations

• Supervise the Manager and Coordinator; set goals, provide coaching, and conduct performance evaluations
• Establish and oversee department-wide operational processes and standards
• Ensure efficient alignment between programming and internal operations

Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible program leadership experience, with 7-10 years preferred
• Experience designing curriculum, workshops, or leadership development programs
• Experience implementing and improving technology-enabled systems and processes to enhance operational efficiency and support seamless program delivery.
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Experience with program assessment and evaluation
• Experience supervising staff and leading cross-functional teams
• Commitment to LGBTQ+ and ally communities and inclusive, identity-affirming program design
• Strong communication and partnership-building skills

COMPETENCIES

• Leads with a steady, positive demeanor that promotes alignment, teamwork, and a healthy organizational culture.
• Set ambitious goals, plan effectively, and achieve results by holding self and others accountable
• Make strategic decisions by using data to identify problems and opportunities
• Deliver outcomes consistently, even when navigating obstacles
• Engage in continuous learning through reflection and two-way feedback
• Build strong teams by providing clear guidance, coaching, and skill development
• Cultivate positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to expand impact
• Communicate persuasively and clearly in both written and verbal formats
• Maintain strict confidentiality and exercise tact and diplomacy in all organizational settings

GENERAL

• Passion about Point’s mission and enthusiasm about communicating the organization’s philosophy, mission, and values
• Strong knowledge of the LGBTQ+ and ally community and related social issues
• Commitment to advancing equity and inclusion in all areas of responsibility and across the organization
• Desire to support LGBTQ+ and ally postsecondary students in a way that elevates their success and needs

Point Foundation Benefits

• 100% Employer-paid medical plans (health, dental, vision)
• Monthly technology stipend ($150)
• Flexible spending account
• 403(b) retirement plan (with 3% employer matching)
• Generous vacation, personal, and sick schedule