Director of Programs

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 NYC is seeking a Director of Programs who will oversee quality delivery and performance of programs for an established and far-reaching program serving 400+ high school and post-secondary year one participants. Reporting to the NYC Regional Program Director, this position will lead a team of 14 total staff who deliver our core mentoring program.

The Director of Programs leads and oversees the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of Summer Search mentoring program, ensuring they achieve measurable impact for participants. This role is responsible for driving program quality, staff development, and strategic alignment across initiatives, serving as a key partner to the Program Site Leader and regional leadership team.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Specifically, the Director of Programs will perform the following duties:

Management

• Supervise a team of 3 Program Managers who manage a team of 11 total high school and post-secondary mentors working directly with Summer Search participants.
• As a team leader, provide individualized supervision, onboarding, performance management and evaluation, staff recruitment (in partnership with National Talent Team), and on-going training (in partnership with National Learning and Development).
• Serve as a supportive manager and coach to the program management team and help them develop their supervisory capacity. Ensure the team is well trained, prepared, and resourced to respond to escalated participant and partner challenges (e.g. low engagement, inappropriate behavior, breach of partnership agreement, connecting to crisis supports, etc.).
• 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 NYC High School and Post-Secondary program budgets, including any relevant non-personnel expenses.
• As needed, support community relations and fundraising efforts by serving as a program representative and liaison to key constituents, including Board of Directors, school and program partners, and donors.

Program Strategy and Oversight

• In partnership with Regional Program Director, provide strategic direction for the NYC mentoring program with a clear focus on outcomes, impact, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee planning and execution of participant events and program model to increase participant engagement and ensure Summer Search NYC is fulfilling participant needs from sophomore year of high school through first year post high school graduation.
• In close partnership with the Regional Program Director, innovate and enhance the local strategy and delivery of the program, including group and 1:1 mentoring, and post-secondary planning supporting 400+ high school participants and post-secondary year 1 participants.
• Serve as a thought partner to the Regional Program 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.
• With Regional Program Director and Director of Program Partnerships, lead annual enrollment of participants, meeting Summer Search NYC's enrollment target.
• Partner with other Directors of Program across the network to gain perspective to inform local strategies and decisions.
• Create and implement internal site policies and expectations to ensure programmatic successes and alignment.
• Provide support both nationally and locally for Summer on-call service during the summer months including serving Summer On Call shift.

WHO YOU ARE

The Director of Programs will be a culture steward who, in partnership with the regional leadership team, models clarity, accountability, and growth for staff and participants. They navigate complexity with confidence, set high standards for results, and foster a team culture grounded in learning, equity, and excellence. Specifically, strong candidates will bring:

• EXPERIENCE: At least 7 years of professional experience, including 3+ years in a leadership role with responsibility leading and retaining high performing teams and overseeing programs, ideally in the education, career development or youth development sector. Significant experience designing, implementing, and scaling programs for high school or college-age students. Demonstrated ability to create frameworks and practices that drive measurable student outcomes, ideally with experience designing curriculum.
• 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, ideally Salesforce.

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 role with the expectation of working out of our Manhattan office with presence in the Bronx office as needed. In-office requirements are 2 days a week (with an additional day in office once per month as required for in-person meetings) and working remotely up to 3 days a week. In person requirements subject to change based on program needs. Occasional work on evenings and weekends for events is required.

This is an exempt position with an annual salary ranging from $112,705 - $121,295. 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 half 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.