Vice President, Program

Vice President, Program

Reports to: Sarina Sande, CEO

Direct Reports: (4) Program Managers and (1) Program Director

About J3 Foundation

J3 Foundation (J3) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to give kids the foundation they need for a lifetime of reading success. J3 equips 4th graders in under-resourced communities with the tools they need to achieve grade-level literacy while fostering positive self-image, self-confidence, a love of reading, and a lifelong identity as readers.

Launched in 2018 in response to alarming data showing that 4th graders who fall behind in reading face significantly higher risks of incarceration or public assistance as young adults, J3 provides reading intervention programs and after-school reading clubs to students across Los Angeles County — with ambitions to expand to cities nationwide. J3 is committed to changing that narrative, one reader at a time.

Position Summary

The Vice President of Programs is a senior leader and core member of J3 Foundation's Leadership Team, responsible for setting the strategic vision and direction of J3's literacy programs and leading the strategy and execution of the organization's programmatic expansion. This role provides executive oversight of the full program function – ensuring all initiatives are evidence-based, impactful, and built for scale. while maintaining strong relationships with school partners and driving continuous year-over-year growth across new grade levels, school sites, and geographies. The VP directly manages Program Managers and Directors, driving accountability for high-quality implementation and strong outcomes across all programs. The VP also serves as J3’s foremost internal and external voice on literacy programming, working in close partnership with the CEO to co-develop the expansion strategy and align program growth with the organization's broader mission, fundraising goals, and long-term vision for national reach.

Key Responsibilities

Program Strategy, Oversight & Expansion

• Set the strategic vision and multi-year direction for all J3 Foundation literacy programs, including developing and refining the expansion strategy— encompassing both grade-level growth and geographic reach — identifying priorities and setting annual growth targets that ensure continuous year-over-year program growth
• Establish programmatic goals, impact benchmarks, and growth strategies, holding Program Team members accountable for execution and outcomes
• Monitor program performance and implementation quality through Program Team reporting, intervening strategically when needed

Curriculum Development & Program Quality

• Provide strategic direction for curriculum and instructional materials across all J3 literacy programs, ensuring alignment with evidence-based literacy best practices and the diverse needs of students served
• Directly oversee and refine professional development initiatives, emphasizing SIPPS curriculum fidelity for Building Bold Readers while driving innovation for Cozy Reading Club and summer programming
• Evaluate curriculum effectiveness by reviewing assessments and implementation data, using findings to drive continuous improvement across all programs
• Ensure curriculum and training models are designed for adaptability across grade levels and for portability into new markets to support seamless expansion

Data-Driven Decision Making & Evaluation

• Lead the organization’s approach to program evaluation and impact measurement, ensuring data is collected, analyzed, and applied to drive continuous improvement
• Use program data and impact insights to inform strategic decisions — including expansion priorities — and communicate findings to leadership, funders, and key stakeholders
• Partner closely with the Advancement team to provide program data and impact stories that support grant proposals and fundraising efforts
• Ensure compliance with funder reporting requirements and lead the organization’s contribution to impact reports

School & Community Partnerships

• Own and cultivate J3’s district-level relationships, serving as the primary partner to district leadership, superintendents, and curriculum directors to deepen impact and drive program expansion into new communities
• Guide direct reports in stewarding school-level relationships with principals and teachers, intervening directly when significant challenges arise
• Represent J3 Foundation externally at education and literacy-focused convenings, serving as an ambassador for the organization’s mission and impact
• Identify and develop relationships with prospective school and district partners to support both grade-level and geographic expansion, building the pipeline for sustained growth

Staff Management & Professional Development

• Directly manage and develop direct reports, providing ongoing coaching, performance reviews, and goal-setting to drive individual and team excellence
• Foster a culture of continuous learning across the program team, identifying and sharing best practices in literacy education and program implementation
• Design and lead key professional development and training opportunities, ensuring all program staff have the knowledge, tools, and support to succeed in their roles
• Build team capacity to support expansion, including developing staffing plans and onboarding structures for new districts and regions

Organizational Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as a senior member of J3’s Leadership Team, contributing to organizational strategy, cross-departmental decision-making, and a collaborative leadership culture
• Partner closely with the CEO and leadership to align program strategy with fundraising, operations, and expansion goals, ensuring a unified approach to year-over-year growth
• Drive organizational growth through the development of scalable, sustainable, and replicable program models that can be adapted across grade levels and deployed in new regions
• Serve as a thought leader and external advocate for J3's mission, representing the organization
• Establish and steward an advisory council of subject matter experts to provide strategic guidance on J3's literacy programs

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Education, Nonprofit Management, or a related field
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in program management, preferably in literacy, education, or youth development programs
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams, including managing senior program staff and fostering a culture of excellence and accountability
• Expertise in literacy education and curriculum development, including familiarity with evidence-based literacy practices, preferred.
• Strong ability to analyze and apply program data to drive strategic decision-making and organizational learning
• Proven ability to build and manage district-level relationships with education system leaders
• Proven track record of leading or significantly contributing to programmatic or geographic expansion efforts
• Exceptional written, verbal, and executive communication skills, including experience presenting to boards, funders, and community stakeholders
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and organizational leadership abilities
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, lean nonprofit environment, balancing strategic leadership with hands-on program ownership

Work Environment & Travel

• Hybrid role with in-person school site visits and in-office days required
• Occasional evening or weekend work for special events
• Travel to current and prospective program sites, community events, and meetings as needed, including travel to new markets under consideration for expansion

Salary & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,000–$170,000

J3 Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays/office closures.

Performance-Based Compensation: In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for performance-based compensation tied to annual organizational goals and growth milestones.

Application Process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates whose experience and background are most closely aligned with the role and mission will be contacted for an initial phone screening, typically within 1-2 weeks of applying, though timing may vary depending on application volume.

The hiring process may include multiple in-person interviews, including a panel interview, a short exercise or work sample, and reference checks. Final candidates will be asked to complete any required background clearances relevant to the role.

We encourage interested candidates to apply by April 30, 2026, for priority consideration, though the position will remain open until filled.

Questions

If you have questions about the position or hiring process, please contact us at hiring@j3foundationla.org. To help us keep communication organized, please use this email address only.

Commitment to Equity and Inclusion

J3 Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive

workforce. We believe that a diverse and inclusive team strengthens our work, and we

encourage applications from individuals whose lived experiences mirror those of the students

and communities we serve.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color,

religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics,

disability, age, or veteran status.