Vice President of Programs

About Us: Project Scientist is an education nonprofit delivering high-quality experiences in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) to girls* from marginalized and underserved communities. We offer summer and after-school programs in partnership with local schools, school districts, nonprofit organizations, and STEM companies. To date, we have provided more than 116,000 STEAM education experiences, impacting over 24,000 girls from communities across the United States and Mexico. Partner with us to foster a future where girls and women have equal access to pursue their career dreams and empower the next generation of women STEM leaders, innovators, and disruptors.

Our Core Focus: We are building a just world by empowering girls to become innovators and disruptors in STEM.

Our Niche: Cultivating a joyful girl-centered STEM ecosystem

• While we focus on those who identify as girls, Project Scientist is committed to serving children of all gender identities and expressions

The Role:

The Vice President of Programs will play a pivotal leadership role, shaping the strategy, execution, and reporting of our educational programs to drive impact on a national scale. This executive will be instrumental in enhancing and expanding our program offerings, which empower thousands of students annually, with a sharp focus on equity in STEM education. They will ensure these programs align with the organization’s mission, work collaboratively with the Advancement team to secure funding, and lead with empathy, equity, and innovation to guarantee exceptional long term student-centered outcomes. The VP of Programs will be a dynamic leader, adept at forging partnerships, driving strategic initiatives, and fostering a culture of excellence across the organization.

Key Responsibilities: 

Strategic Leadership & Vision:

• Design, implement, and scale high-impact educational programs focusing on advancing STEM equity and ensuring alignment with the organization’s overarching mission.  
• Spearhead innovative initiatives to increase student participation, engagement, and long-term impact, ensuring programs are responsive to evolving educational trends and the needs of diverse learners.  

Program Management & Optimization:  

• Oversee all facets of program delivery, including curriculum, hands-on experiments, design, school and community partnerships, and expansion efforts, with an emphasis on creating deep, meaningful learning experiences.  
• Continuously evaluate and optimize programmatic offerings to ensure they are impactful, scalable, and sustainable while driving long-term success for students. 
• Own Teaching Institute program including securing educational partners and developing and executing professional development lessons rooted in racial and gender-equitable teaching practices.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time to oversee and support program delivery in each region. 

Team Leadership & Development:  

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of program professionals, fostering an environment of innovation, accountability, and collaboration.  
• Cultivate a strong team culture centered around inclusion, empathy, and excellence.  

Cross-Departmental Collaboration:  

• Collaborate closely with the Advancement team to align programmatic growth with fundraising efforts, secure necessary resources, and manage program budgets effectively.  
• Manage program budget including forecasting, expenses, calculating cost per girls, etc. 
• Drive organizational cohesion, ensuring seamless integration between program delivery and organizational development goals. 

Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement:  

• Establish and nurture strategic partnerships with educational institutions, STEM industry leaders, nonprofits, and community organizations to drive program impact and expansion.  
• Act as an advocate and spokesperson for the organization, representing its mission to diverse audiences and at key conferences, public events, and in the media.  

Data-Driven Evaluation & Continuous Improvement:  

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive evaluation framework to measure the success and effectiveness of all programs, ensuring data-driven decision-making.  
• Utilize qualitative and quantitative data to assess program performance, refine curriculum, measurable student outcomes, and ensure resources are effectively allocated to maximize impact.  
• Lead quarterly data reviews and present insights to the executive team and board, offering actionable recommendations for program enhancements.  
• Design and manage systems to capture comprehensive data on program performance, ensuring accuracy and consistency across all initiatives.  
• Develop and refine outcome metrics to assess student learning, engagement, and career trajectory impact in STEM fields, providing clear insights into program effectiveness.  
• Create channels for gathering feedback from students, educators, and partners to continuously improve program design and delivery.  

Reporting & Communication:  

• Generate detailed reports for stakeholders, funders, and the board of directors, clearly articulating key outcomes, areas for improvement, and future opportunities.  

Key Qualifications:  

Educational & Professional Background:  

• At least five years of K-12 teaching experience preferred or equivalence 
• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in program management, preferably within the nonprofit, education, or STEM sectors.  
• Demonstrated expertise in STEM education, advocacy, or equity-driven initiatives, with a strong foundation in curriculum design or educational leadership.  
• Experience working with diverse populations, with a commitment to advancing gender and racial equity in education.  

Leadership Competencies:  

• Proven ability to lead diverse teams and drive strategic goals with a balance of empathy and accountability.  
• A strategic thinker with a track record of driving innovation and solving complex challenges related to program implementation and impact.  

Collaboration & Communication:  

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships across internal teams, community partners, and external stakeholders.  
• Experience advocating for organizational mission at public events and to a wide range of audiences.  

Analytical & Data-Driven:  

• Proficient in data analysis and the use of impact metrics to drive program improvements, student outcomes, and make informed decisions.  
• Experience managing budgets and collaborating with fundraising teams to ensure the sustainability and growth of program initiatives.  

Emotional Intelligence & Cultural Competency:  

• High emotional intelligence with a demonstrated commitment to leading with empathy, inclusivity, and equity.  

Application Process:  

• Timeline: Applications will be accepted for two weeks, with a target start date of late October 2024.  
• Interview Process: Three rounds of interviews with senior leaders, including board members.  

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Candidates from all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Final offers of employment are contingent upon completing a background check that may include employment history, a national criminal background check, a national sex offender registry search, and a driving history check.

Project Scientist does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, military, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, age, citizenship, or any other basis prohibited by law in any of its policies or programs.

Our goal is to maintain a company culture where each individual, regardless of background or identity, feels safe, respected, and valued as a leader or contributor to our organizational mission, vision, and purpose. We strive to be an example for other organizations seeking to create diverse, equitable, inclusive, and belonging working environments, systems, and processes.