Director of Programs

The Resilience, Education, Training and Innovation (RETI) Center is a non profit based in Red Hook, Brooklyn that advances climate resilience, clean energy, and environmental justice. We create equitable pathways to the green economy through workforce training, community engagement, and innovative environmental projects.

Position Overview

The Director of Programs is a senior leadership role responsible for driving the implementation, integration, and growth of RETI’s full portfolio of programs, including clean energy workforce training, resiliency education, water-based environmental innovation, and community solar development.

The Director of Programs ensures that all RETI programs are strategically aligned, mission-driven, and effectively managed, while fostering strong partnerships with community members and industry partners. The Director will supervise program leads, strengthen cross-program integration, and support evaluation, fundraising, and communications to maximize RETI’s impact.

Key Responsibilities

Program Strategy & Oversight & Quality Improvement

• Advance RETI’s strategic vision, ensuring program alignment with mission and equity goals.
• Set and track annual program goals, KPIs, and outcomes in collaboration with Executive Director
• Lead data collection and evaluation systems to measure impact, improve performance, and inform decision-making.
• Monitor industry trends (e.g., clean energy, aquaculture, floating infrastructure, climate resilience) and adapt RETI’s programs to ensure they remain current, innovative, and responsive to community and sector needs.
• Evaluate and improve existing programs, including curricula and delivery methods, to strengthen outcomes, impact, and alignment with RETI’s mission.
• Identify, recommend and design approved new program opportunities that respond to emerging community needs and workforce or environmental innovation trends.
• Drive innovation in community-centered learning and workforce programs that integrate technical clean energy skills, environmental stewardship, and collective resilience.

Organizational Leadership

• Lead, supervise and mentor program leads and coordinators, supporting both their immediate performance and long-term professional development.
• Develop internal capacity by:
• Strengthening staff skills in program design, management, and evaluation.
• Providing coaching, training, and stretch opportunities to expand leadership skills.
• Encouraging cross-program collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
• Supporting staff in taking initiative and piloting new approaches.
• Anticipate staffing needs tied to program development and growth and collaborate with the Executive Director and Director of Operations and Finance on building organizational capacity.
• Create and monitor work plans and quarterly goals for program teams, ensuring tasks are clearly assigned, deadlines are met, and individual responsibilities align with organizational priorities.
• Foster accountability and clarity by aligning individual responsibilities with program and organizational priorities.

Program Related Project Management

• Lead the planning, coordination, and implementation of specific program projects, ensuring deliverables are completed on time and within scope. Maintain project workplans, track progress in coordination tools, communicate with internal and external stakeholders, troubleshoot challenges, and support reporting and evaluation.

Funding & Grant Compliance

• Work with the Executive Director and Director of Operations and Finance to develop program funding plans and identify specific funding opportunities; collaborate on long-term program growth and sustainability.
• Participate in the management of relationships with funders and supporters on an as-needed basis
• Ensure all program deliverables of current grants are met across workforce, community solar, and environmental initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Director of Operations and Finance on grant reporting, contract compliance, and accurate data reporting.
• Provide high-level program updates and impact reports for the Board and funders.

External Partnerships & Representation

• Build and sustain partnerships with employers, unions, schools, higher education institutions, and community-based organizations.
• Attend conferences, coalitions, and public forums to increase support of RETI’s programs and to develop pipelines for job placement, internships, and collaborative projects across programs.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of nonprofit program leadership experience preferred.
• Strong record of developing and implementing strategic program vision and impact.
• Proficient in project management and support software
• Familiarity with workforce development, clean energy training, community solar and/or water based ecological restoration practices.
• Experience supervising program managers and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Excellent coalition-building and external representation skills.
• Commitment to equity, environmental justice, and community-centered solutions.

Work Environment

We have a hybrid work environment; staff work mostly remotely but come together for in-person meetings and for program activities. We have access to desks and meeting space in Industry City in Sunset Park; various off-site training spaces throughout the city, and have waterfront locations located in Red Hook and Governor's Island. The Director will work partially remotely but will be expected to attend meetings, public events, and volunteer events in the NYC-metro area. They should be comfortable working in a non-office setting at least some of the time.

Work hours are flexible, but generally are 9 am to 5 pm. Our work requires occasional evening and weekend events, such as corporate volunteer events, workshops, presentations, and fundraisers.

How to Apply

If you’re interested in the position, you can apply by submitting the following materials as a single PDF (no larger than 5 MB) via email to admin@reticenter.org. Please include “Director of Programs – [YOUR NAME]” as your subject line.

Please include the following materials in your application:

• A cover letter, in which you address why you are interested in this position, how your experience qualifies you for it, and why you would like to work at RETI Center.
• A current resume

RETI Center is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fair and inclusive employment practices, and strongly encourage Black people, Indigenous people, and other people of color; women; LGBTQ individuals; people with disabilities; people who have experienced incarceration; and others who may contribute to the diversification of ideas to apply.

Our benefits program currently includes paid PTO and a QSEHRA plan that can be used for premium payments.