Job Title: Program Director
Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Salary: $70,000 annually + comprehensive benefits
Location: Los Angeles, CA 90015
About the Role
Are you a visionary who brings programs to life and drives measurable impact? We are seeking a Program Director to lead the development and implementation of holistic, youth-centered programming at a growing nonprofit. This role is ideal for a builder—someone who can turn vision into action and outcomes, all while cultivating a culture of belonging and trust for foster youth.
Key Responsibilities
Program Management & Design
- Design and lead weekly and seasonal programming (e.g., after school programs, summer programs, academic support, arts enrichment, life skills workshops).
- Develop and maintain a program calendar including youth events, field trips, service projects, and family engagement nights.
- Develop, implement and achieve recruitment/enrollment goals.
- Ensure readiness for all programming: materials, meals/snacks, transportation, permissions, and compliance with child welfare and safety regulations.
- Track enrollment, manage rosters, and maintain all required documentation and consents. (e.g., intake forms, parental consents, education records).
Program Development
- Partner with the Executive Director to pilot and scale initiatives.
- Gather and incorporate input from youth and caregivers into program design.
- Contribute to long-term strategic growth, including site expansion.
Supervision & Engagement
- Supervise day-to-day operations of onsite, school-based, and community programs.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with youth, caregivers, case workers, and school partners.
- Respond to behavioral/emotional needs using trauma-informed, restorative practices.
- Lead staff recruitment, onboarding, supervision, and professional development.
- Ensure program spaces are safe, welcoming, and well-stocked with supplies.
- Coordinate daily transportation with transportation providers.
- Hire, train, supervise, and support program staff, teaching artists, and contractors. Conduct performance reviews to build a culture of professional growth.
- Maintain client records and case notes to document growth and needs.
Outreach & Partnerships
- Build and strengthen partnerships with schools, group homes, foster family agencies, and community orgs.
- Collaborate with LAUSD, DCFS, and others for referrals and coordinated support.
- Represent the organization at key events, roundtables, and coalition meetings.
- Recruit, onboard, and manage volunteers, including local student volunteers.
Marketing & Evaluation
- Create and keep current program communications via social media and other outreach channels.
- Implement tools to track youth progress and program effectiveness (Apricot, CRM)
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree or higher in related discipline
- 3-5 years leadership experience in youth development, social work, education, or related field.
- Social Media Management and Content Creation skills
- Grant writing experience preferred
- Experience working with foster youth or system-involved youth highly preferred.
- Some Spanish language proficiency would be helpful
- Ability to design and manage enriching programs.
- Skilled in trauma-informed and strengths-based practices.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- Comfortable using data systems and tracking outcomes.
- Available for occasional evenings, weekends, and community events.
Benefits
- $70,000 annual salary
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid time off and holidays
- Professional development support
- A deeply mission-driven, collaborative work environment
- An organization primed for significant growth
To Apply
Please submit your resume and a letter letting us know why you are interested in and qualified for this job. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience in foster care, individuals from historically underrepresented communities, and those passionate about educational equity and youth empowerment.