Director of Programs

About Minds Matter Bay Area

Minds Matter is a national nonprofit organization that connects driven and determined students from low-income families with the people, preparation, and possibilities to succeed in college, create their future, and change the world. Since 1991, every Minds Matter student across the country has been accepted to a four-year college — helping to address the widespread issue of college undermatching. Their success is rooted in holistic programming and a unique, volunteer-powered model that fosters deep, long-standing relationships between students and mentors.

Founded in 2010, Minds Matter Bay Area (MMBay) is one of 14 chapters in the national network. To date, MMBay has graduated over 200 students — 100% have been accepted to four-year colleges, 75% attend some of the most selective institutions in the country, and 100% have graduated within four years.

Our free weekly programming is delivered by a powerful network of volunteers who mentor, teach, and walk alongside students on their journey to — and through — college. We are driven by equity, relationships, and a deep belief in the brilliance and potential of our students.

Learn more at www.mindsmatterbay.org.

About the Role

Are you an inspiring education leader with a passion for empowering driven students from low-income families? Minds Matter Bay Area is seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Programs to lead, manage, and grow our impactful college access initiatives. Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the Director of Programs is the key leader in managing, delivering, and growing MMBay's college access programming. We are seeking an experienced and inspiring education leader to oversee the operational success of our programs, rooted in a holistic and unique model that puts dedicated volunteers at the forefront of our work with students. This leader will be responsible for implementing and executing all aspects of MMBay programs, ensuring seamless delivery, and managing a team of talented program staff and dedicated volunteer leaders.

Minds Matter Bay Area is in an entrepreneurial stage of growth, which will require the Program Director to think creatively, resourcefully, and with an action-oriented mindset. We are looking for a passionate individual who is excited by our mission, and who can both lead at the highest level, and be on the ground in the day-to-day work, as we continue to strengthen and grow the organization over time. The Program Director will demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and be dedicated to active and ongoing learning, understanding one’s identity, power, and privilege, and embracing the intersectional identities of students, staff, and volunteers.

The Director of Programs should be available to begin work in early September. During the school year (September to June), regular workdays for this position are Tuesday through Saturday. This role requires frequent in-person meetings in San Francisco and San Jose and Saturday sessions, at least 2-3 days in person per week.

Key Responsibilities

The key responsibilities for the Director of Programs role include, but are not limited to:

Program Leadership, Planning, and Development

• Build and refine key performance indicators (KPIs) for the program while improving data collection methods to drive learning and impact.
• Manage and plan the program calendar and communications.
• Develop and facilitate onboarding and training for volunteer leaders, mentors, and staff.
• Cultivate relationships with partner high schools, colleges, and other CBOs.
• Develop and lead a culturally responsive caregiver and community engagement strategy.

Program Management and Execution

• Develop and manage the program budget to ensure operations stay within financial guidelines
• Serve as the primary point of contact for urgent student concerns, collaborating with external organizations for specialized support while ensuring ongoing engagement and care from our team.
• Managing MMBay’s volunteer-led Program Leadership Team (PLT) across two sites (San Jose and San Francisco), ensuring strong execution of day-to-day program, recruitment, and training.
• Ensure the success and sustainability of the program; proactively plan for future needs and address challenges before they arise.
• Oversee Saturday sessions, including operations, while ensuring that minimum attendance requirements are met and volunteers are prepared to facilitate the curriculum.
• Manage end-to-end data collection processes and maintain accurate, reliable student records in Salesforce; provide consistent oversight and process improvement for volunteers partnering with us to carry out this work.

Recruitment Strategy and Execution

• Oversee volunteer-led Student Recruitment (SR) and Volunteer Recruitment (VR) teams, ensuring all student and volunteer roles are filled ahead of each fall cohort launch.
• Coach and support recruitment volunteers with a leadership-through-influence approach, recognizing and honoring their ownership while guiding strategy, execution, and continuous improvement.
• Support SR teams in implementing equitable and inclusive interview practices aligned with DEIB principles, with a focus on increasing access and representation.
• Analyze recruitment trends and feedback to identify barriers, refine outreach strategies, and strengthen equity in recruitment outcomes year over year.

Qualifications

We recognize that great candidates may not meet every single requirement listed below. If you're excited about this role and believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply — even if your experience looks a little different. Note: A background check, fingerprinting and a reference check will also be a part of the process.

Required:

• Minimum of 5-7 years of professional experience in education, youth development, or nonprofit program management
• Demonstrated success overseeing programs or teams
• Proven ability to coach and lead through influence
• Strong relationship skills, project management, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to balance strategy and execution
• Self-starter who thrives in fast-paced, evolving environments and is comfortable building systems and structures from the ground up
• Flexible, collaborative team member who’s willing to pitch in and “wear multiple hats” when needed
• Strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage across lines of difference
• Bachelor’s degree
• Availability to work select Saturdays and occasional evenings
• Ability and willingness to travel between San Francisco and San Jose program sites

Preferred:

• Experience leading or supporting volunteer-led programs, particularly in a high-accountability/ high-autonomy environment
• Experience designing or evaluating programs for first-generation college students or historically underrepresented communities
• Background in culturally responsive teaching, youth leadership development, or mentoring
• Familiarity with Salesforce, Google Suite, or other program management/data systems
• Experience in cross-functional collaboration with development, operations, or external partners
• Master’s degree in Education, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, or a related field
• Familiarity with Bay’s educational landscape and communities.
• Bilingual (Mandarin/English) proficiency.

Location and Work Arrangements

• This is a Bay Area-based position that will require travel between San Francisco and San Jose.
• The position will include a mix of in-person and virtual/remote work, with much time attending in-person meetings and required Saturday morning sessions.
• During the school year (September to June), regular workdays for this position are Tuesday through Saturday.
• Minds Matter is committed to sustainability and supports staff in taking time off to balance evening and weekend hours.

Apply

Applications must be submitted to THIS LINK. Applications submitted through any other medium will not be considered. The Application deadline is August 15, 2025. The search process will encompass three rounds of interviews and a thought exercise with various members of the organization.

Core Values

We are looking for someone who is deeply committed to living out and modeling Minds Matter Bay Area’s core values:

• We Show Up – We are present, reliable, and ready to support one another.
• We Do the Hard Work – We embrace challenges and take responsibility.
• We Believe and Persist – We stay hopeful and keep going, even when it's tough.
• We Prioritize Communication – We value transparency and honest dialogue.
• We Practice Emotional Courage – We lead with heart and aren’t afraid to be vulnerable.
• We Are the Culture – We shape and protect the culture we want to be part of.

To learn more about our core values, please visit: mindsmatterbay.org/our-core-values

Equal Opportunity

Minds Matter Bay Area is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and volunteers. Individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds, including people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and first-generation college graduates, are strongly encouraged to apply.

About Minds Matter Bay Area

Minds Matter is a national nonprofit organization that connects driven and determined students from low-income families with the people, preparation, and possibilities to succeed in college, create their future, and change the world. Since 1991, every Minds Matter student across the country has been accepted to a four-year college — helping to address the widespread issue of college undermatching. Their success is rooted in holistic programming and a unique, volunteer-powered model that fosters deep, long-standing relationships between students and mentors.

Founded in 2010, Minds Matter Bay Area (MMBay) is one of 14 chapters in the national network. To date, MMBay has graduated over 200 students — 100% have been accepted to four-year colleges, 75% attend some of the most selective institutions in the country, and 100% have graduated within four years.

Our free weekly programming is delivered by a powerful network of volunteers who mentor, teach, and walk alongside students on their journey to — and through — college. We are driven by equity, relationships, and a deep belief in the brilliance and potential of our students.

Learn more at www.mindsmatterbay.org.

About the Role

Are you an inspiring education leader with a passion for empowering driven students from low-income families? Minds Matter Bay Area is seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Programs to lead, manage, and grow our impactful college access initiatives. Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the Director of Programs is the key leader in managing, delivering, and growing MMBay's college access programming. We are seeking an experienced and inspiring education leader to oversee the operational success of our programs, rooted in a holistic and unique model that puts dedicated volunteers at the forefront of our work with students. This leader will be responsible for implementing and executing all aspects of MMBay programs, ensuring seamless delivery, and managing a team of talented program staff and dedicated volunteer leaders.

Minds Matter Bay Area is in an entrepreneurial stage of growth, which will require the Program Director to think creatively, resourcefully, and with an action-oriented mindset. We are looking for a passionate individual who is excited by our mission, and who can both lead at the highest level, and be on the ground in the day-to-day work, as we continue to strengthen and grow the organization over time. The Program Director will demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and be dedicated to active and ongoing learning, understanding one’s identity, power, and privilege, and embracing the intersectional identities of students, staff, and volunteers.

The Director of Programs should be available to begin work in early September. During the school year (September to June), regular workdays for this position are Tuesday through Saturday. This role requires frequent in-person meetings in San Francisco and San Jose and Saturday sessions, at least 2-3 days in person per week.

Key Responsibilities

The key responsibilities for the Director of Programs role include, but are not limited to:

Program Leadership, Planning, and Development

• Build and refine key performance indicators (KPIs) for the program while improving data collection methods to drive learning and impact.
• Manage and plan the program calendar and communications.
• Develop and facilitate onboarding and training for volunteer leaders, mentors, and staff.
• Cultivate relationships with partner high schools, colleges, and other CBOs.
• Develop and lead a culturally responsive caregiver and community engagement strategy.

Program Management and Execution

• Develop and manage the program budget to ensure operations stay within financial guidelines
• Serve as the primary point of contact for urgent student concerns, collaborating with external organizations for specialized support while ensuring ongoing engagement and care from our team.
• Managing MMBay’s volunteer-led Program Leadership Team (PLT) across two sites (San Jose and San Francisco), ensuring strong execution of day-to-day program, recruitment, and training.
• Ensure the success and sustainability of the program; proactively plan for future needs and address challenges before they arise.
• Oversee Saturday sessions, including operations, while ensuring that minimum attendance requirements are met and volunteers are prepared to facilitate the curriculum.
• Manage end-to-end data collection processes and maintain accurate, reliable student records in Salesforce; provide consistent oversight and process improvement for volunteers partnering with us to carry out this work.

Recruitment Strategy and Execution

• Oversee volunteer-led Student Recruitment (SR) and Volunteer Recruitment (VR) teams, ensuring all student and volunteer roles are filled ahead of each fall cohort launch.
• Coach and support recruitment volunteers with a leadership-through-influence approach, recognizing and honoring their ownership while guiding strategy, execution, and continuous improvement.
• Support SR teams in implementing equitable and inclusive interview practices aligned with DEIB principles, with a focus on increasing access and representation.
• Analyze recruitment trends and feedback to identify barriers, refine outreach strategies, and strengthen equity in recruitment outcomes year over year.

Qualifications

We recognize that great candidates may not meet every single requirement listed below. If you're excited about this role and believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply — even if your experience looks a little different. Note: A background check, fingerprinting and a reference check will also be a part of the process.

Required:

• Minimum of 5-7 years of professional experience in education, youth development, or nonprofit program management
• Demonstrated success overseeing programs or teams
• Proven ability to coach and lead through influence
• Strong relationship skills, project management, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to balance strategy and execution
• Self-starter who thrives in fast-paced, evolving environments and is comfortable building systems and structures from the ground up
• Flexible, collaborative team member who’s willing to pitch in and “wear multiple hats” when needed
• Strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage across lines of difference
• Bachelor’s degree
• Availability to work select Saturdays and occasional evenings
• Ability and willingness to travel between San Francisco and San Jose program sites

Preferred:

• Experience leading or supporting volunteer-led programs, particularly in a high-accountability/ high-autonomy environment
• Experience designing or evaluating programs for first-generation college students or historically underrepresented communities
• Background in culturally responsive teaching, youth leadership development, or mentoring
• Familiarity with Salesforce, Google Suite, or other program management/data systems
• Experience in cross-functional collaboration with development, operations, or external partners
• Master’s degree in Education, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, or a related field
• Familiarity with Bay’s educational landscape and communities.
• Bilingual (Mandarin/English) proficiency.

Location and Work Arrangements

• This is a Bay Area-based position that will require travel between San Francisco and San Jose.
• The position will include a mix of in-person and virtual/remote work, with much time attending in-person meetings and required Saturday morning sessions.
• During the school year (September to June), regular workdays for this position are Tuesday through Saturday.
• Minds Matter is committed to sustainability and supports staff in taking time off to balance evening and weekend hours.

Apply

Applications must be submitted to THIS LINK. Applications submitted through any other medium will not be considered. The Application deadline is August 15, 2025. The search process will encompass three rounds of interviews and a thought exercise with various members of the organization.

Core Values

We are looking for someone who is deeply committed to living out and modeling Minds Matter Bay Area’s core values:

• We Show Up – We are present, reliable, and ready to support one another.
• We Do the Hard Work – We embrace challenges and take responsibility.
• We Believe and Persist – We stay hopeful and keep going, even when it's tough.
• We Prioritize Communication – We value transparency and honest dialogue.
• We Practice Emotional Courage – We lead with heart and aren’t afraid to be vulnerable.
• We Are the Culture – We shape and protect the culture we want to be part of.

To learn more about our core values, please visit: mindsmatterbay.org/our-core-values

Equal Opportunity

Minds Matter Bay Area is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and volunteers. Individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds, including people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and first-generation college graduates, are strongly encouraged to apply.