Director of Programs

About Custom Collaborative

Custom Collaborative (CC) is a NYC-based non-profit social enterprise that trains, mentors, and advocates for and with no/low-income and immigrant women to build the skills necessary to achieve economic success in the sustainable fashion industry and broader society.

We enrich women and their communities by preparing those facing barriers to employment with skills to own, operate, and contribute to fashion and design businesses at a high economic, social, and environmental standard. Custom Collaborative (CC) envisions a global apparel industry in which all people are fairly compensated for their labor and consumers have access to well-made, sustainably sourced clothes that fit and affirm all bodies.

CC supports women overcoming barriers to employment through three programs:

1. Training Institute, a paid, full-time 15-week course in the art, technique, and business of fashion; participants graduate with marketable skills and an employment/business plan.
2. Business Incubator, which supports TI graduates’ businesses by contracting with them for business in partnership with small/mid-size design firms; providing continued coaching, mentorship, and equipment; and placing participants in jobs.
3. Fashion That Works Cooperative Development, in which CC trains our participants and local fashion industry businesses, in participatory leadership and cooperative ownership.

Custom Collaborative also conducts training for external partners, as an extension of our internal work and to provide learning opportunities for the NYC fashion community.

Director of Programs

This is an exciting opportunity to strengthen the work of an award-winning organization. This position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and will work closely with CC’s program staff and supporting team. The person in this role will develop, manage, and enhance efficient operations of CC’s workforce development and entrepreneurship programs initiatives, in alignment with Custom Collaborative’s vision, mission, values, and priorities.

The person in this role will direct programs that are operated by a department of three primary staff, along with short-term consultants. As needed, they will work with other departments at CC to help ensure their departmental goals and the overall organizational mission are met. The Director of Programs is a primary partner in implementing programs that position CC as a model in workforce development. The Director of Programs will research, plan, and implement Custom Collaborative’s programs through the department staff. The Director will initiate and set goals for programs according to the strategic objectives, including planning new programs and updating existing programs with milestones, processes, partners, and impact measurement. The Director will work closely with the Director of Development on grant applications, outcomes, and reporting. The Director will create, guide, and oversee an annual programming calendar and program operations in alignment with CC’s vision, mission, values, and strategy.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Measurement

• Track records and statistics to ensure all programs meet contractual goals and reporting requirements.
• Develop evaluation strategies to monitor performance and suggest modifications.

Operations

• Work with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief of Staff, and Board of Directors to ensure strategic collaboration and alignment across the organization.
• Support fundraising for Custom Collaborative, including support fund prospecting for program needs, tracking program goals and providing content and insight for proposals/reports, and attending funding partner visits.
• Ensure program operations and activities adhere to legal guidelines and internal policies.
• Support the development and implementation of systems and structures to generate maximum impact.

People

• Engage and energize staff, partners, and supporters through communications and actions.
• Ensure that staff is learning and growing, by providing ongoing internal and external development opportunities.
• Oversee department staff in planning workshops and other programs to develop participants’ practical and technical skills.
• Lead program managers to provide feedback and resolve complex problems.
• Represent CC at public events, including attending community, government, and partner meetings.

Finance

• Manage and monitor programmatic budgets with executive staff.
• Plan and develop budgets with program and financial staff.
• Additional opportunities as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work inclusively, effectively, and equitably with diverse groups of people.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to Custom Collaborative’s mission.
• Commitment to racial and gender equity, and comfort in applying an equity lens to program design and implementation, as well as to professional interactions and relationships.
• Knowledge of and connection to the NYC workforce development and entrepreneurship field.
• Strong project management and organizational skills to manage complex projects that result in measurable success.
• Experience working in a high-performance, collaborative organization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work efficiently, manage multiple projects, and adapt to evolving circumstances.
• Confidence to take initiative and make good decisions.
• At least three years of experience in non-profit program management and development. Experience in community organizing, entrepreneurship development, workforce development, adult education, fashion education, or related field required.
• At least three years of staff management experience.
• Demonstrated experience having either developed and launched a successful initiative or taken an existing initiative to the next stage of growth and impact.
• Collaborative work style that engages colleagues, program participants, and funders.
• Tech-savvy with fluency in the Mac/PC platform and Google Suite, Slack, Monday.com.
• Spoken fluency in a language other than English is preferred.
• All CC staff members must participate in organizational fundraising initiatives.

We recognize that a successful candidate will meet many of the requirements listed, but may not meet all the qualifications. If much of this job description describes you, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits & Compensation:

Benefits include generous and flexible paid time off; paid family and medical leave; healthcare; dental; vision; life and disability insurance; supplementary funds to support staff wellness and professional development.

Salary range for this full-time position is $90,000 - 105,000, commensurate with experience.

Custom Collaborative staff work in a hybrid model – 3 days in the office and 2 days WFH; that arrangement may shift. COVID-19 vaccination is required of all employees.

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume to apply@customcollaborative.org.

Custom Collaborative is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applications without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, HIV status, socio-economic status, marital status, veteran status, or any other category protected by local, state, or federal laws.