Director of Programs, People & Partnerships

Director of Programs, People & Partnerships

Mentoring Urban Students & Teens (M.U.S.T.)

Reports To: Executive Director

Salary Range: $85,000- $90,000

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Seattle, Washington

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

OUR MISSION

Mentoring Urban Students & Teens (M.U.S.T.) exists to liberate Black males through mentoring.

We believe young people deserve exceptional adults in their lives—adults who challenge them, support them, expose them to new opportunities, and help them discover who they are and what they can achieve.

Through long-term relationships, leadership development, transformative experiences, opportunities for exposure, and community, M.U.S.T. empowers Black male youth to realize their potential and build meaningful futures.

As our organization continues to grow, we are seeking an exceptional leader who will help shape the next chapter of our impact.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is not a traditional program management role.

M.U.S.T. is seeking a dynamic and accountable leader to oversee the organization's people, programs, and partnerships.

The Director of Programs, People & Partnerships serves as the senior leader responsible for translating organizational vision into daily execution. This individual will oversee staff performance, mentor development, family engagement, school partnerships, program quality, organizational accountability, and operational excellence.

The successful candidate understands that exceptional outcomes for youth are created by exceptional adults.

Their primary responsibility is not to mentor every young person personally. Their responsibility is to build, develop, supervise, support, and hold accountable the team of adults who serve youth.

Success in this role requires a unique combination of leadership, relationship-building, operational excellence, communication, accountability, and emotional intelligence.

This leader will play a critical role in ensuring that youth, families, schools, staff, mentors, and community partners consistently experience the highest standards of excellence from M.U.S.T.

LEADERSHIP SCOPE

People & Culture

• Lead, supervise, coach, and develop a high-performing team of mentors and program professionals.
• Establish a culture rooted in accountability, professionalism, humility, communication, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Create an environment where strong relationships and high expectations coexist, while developing future leaders within the organization.

Programs & Execution

• Oversee the successful implementation of all M.U.S.T. programs, retreats, events, trips, mentoring experiences, workshops, and youth engagement activities.
• Ensure consistency, quality, safety, compliance, and continuous improvement across all school sites, cohorts, and programs
• Develop systems and processes that improve organizational effectiveness and create sustainable success.

Families, Schools & Community Partnerships

• Serve as a trusted representative of M.U.S.T. with families, schools, community organizations, and strategic partners.
• Build strong relationships with parents, caregivers, school administrators, counselors, teachers, and community stakeholders.
• Ensure families receive responsive communication, meaningful engagement, and exceptional support throughout their experience with M.U.S.T.

Systems, Data & Organizational Accountability

• Oversee reporting systems, performance metrics, documentation, compliance, and accountability structures.
• Utilize data to strengthen performance, monitor outcomes, inform decision-making, and improve organizational effectiveness.
• Ensure reporting requirements, grant obligations, and organizational commitments are completed accurately and on time.

SUPERVISION, REPORTING & PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

The Director of Programs, People & Partnerships reports directly to the Executive Director and serves as a key member of the organization's leadership team.

This role requires consistent communication, strategic alignment, transparency, initiative, and accountability.

The successful candidate will:

• Meet weekly with the Executive Director for supervision, strategic planning, problem-solving, and organizational alignment.
• Provide regular updates regarding program performance, staff accountability, family engagement, school partnerships, and organizational priorities.
• Maintain accurate program dashboards, outcome metrics, staff performance documentation, and organizational reporting systems.
• Submit monthly reports outlining youth participation and retention, mentor engagement and accountability, family engagement metrics, school partnership activity, program outcomes, graduation benchmarks, and staff development progress.
• Utilize data, reporting systems, and organizational metrics to identify trends, address challenges, and drive continuous improvement.

Success in this role will be measured through both quantitative outcomes and qualitative leadership performance, including:

• Staff development, retention, and performance.
• Program quality, consistency, and execution.
• Family satisfaction, engagement, and trust.
• School and community partnership strength.
• Organizational accountability and compliance.
• Achievement of organizational goals, outcomes, and strategic priorities.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

One year from now, the successful Director of Programs, People & Partnerships will have:

• Built and retained a high-performing team.
• Created a culture of accountability, ownership, professionalism, and excellence.
• Strengthened communication throughout the organization.
• Ensured mentors receive consistent supervision, coaching, support, and accountability.
• Improved family engagement, trust, and responsiveness.
• Strengthened relationships with schools and community partners.
• Improved reporting, compliance, and organizational accountability.
• Created systems that reduce inefficiencies and improve performance.
• Contributed directly to strong student engagement, retention, graduation, and post-secondary outcomes.
• Helped create an environment where staff, youth, and families thrive.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent leadership and management experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of leadership, management, or supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated success in leading, coaching, developing, and managing teams.
• Demonstrated success in holding individuals accountable to expectations and performance standards.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong relationship-building, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Experience working with families, schools, community stakeholders, and diverse populations.
• Strong organizational, operational, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high standards of execution.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, cultural responsiveness, humility, and servant leadership.

Preferred:

• Experience leading teams through growth, change, or organizational transition.
• Experience in nonprofit leadership, youth development, education, mentoring, or community-based organizations.
• Experience building partnerships with schools, families, and community organizations.
• Experience developing systems that improve communication, accountability, and performance.
• Demonstrated success navigating difficult conversations with professionalism, empathy, and clarity.

WORK LOCATION & SCHEDULE

This is a hybrid leadership position requiring significant in-person engagement throughout King County and the communities served by M.U.S.T.

The Director of Programs, People & Partnerships is expected to maintain a highly visible presence with staff, mentors, youth, families, schools, and community partners.

While some administrative work may be completed remotely on Mondays and Fridays when organizational needs allow, candidates should expect the majority of their work week to be conducted in person.

A typical week includes regular engagement through:

• School visits and partner meetings
• Family meetings and interventions
• Mentor supervision and coaching
• Community partnership meetings
• Youth programming and events
• Staff meetings and leadership meetings
• Office hours and collaboration with the Executive Director and M.U.S.T. team

A minimum of two (2) in-office days per week is required, with additional in-person participation expected based on program needs, events, meetings, and community partnerships.

This role requires a strong field presence and should not be viewed as a primarily remote position.

Effective leadership at M.U.S.T. requires visibility, accessibility, relationship-building, and active engagement with staff, youth, families, schools, and community partners.

Occasional evenings and weekends are required.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary Range: annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

M.U.S.T. offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Leadership development and growth opportunities
• The opportunity to make a lasting impact in the lives of youth, families, and communities.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• The ideal candidate is not simply a great mentor.
• They are a great leader of people.
• They know how to build trust, communicate clearly, develop teams, strengthen relationships, create accountability, navigate difficult conversations, and drive results.
• They understand that leadership is not about doing all of the work themselves—it is about building a team capable of consistently delivering excellence.
• Most importantly, they believe that young people deserve exceptional adults and are committed to helping M.U.S.T. deliver exactly that every day.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

M.U.S.T. is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that reflects and celebrates the communities we serve. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

M.U.S.T. offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Leadership development and growth opportunities
• The opportunity to make a lasting impact in the lives of youth, families, and communities