Director of Leadership & Civic Programs

Location: Kansas City, MO (Hybrid)

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Salary Range: $85,000-$105,000

About BLAQUE KC

BLAQUE KC (Black Leaders Advancing Quality Urban Education) is a grassroots education advocacy organization driven by community, powered by people, and committed to justice. We elevate Black voices, invest in high quality schools, and build bold coalitions to ensure Black students in Kansas City–and beyond–receive an education that affirms, equips, and liberates. We drive change by:

• Supporting Diverse Leadership: Identifying and developing diverse talent to lead in schools, serve on charter boards, and run for elected office
• Investing in School Quality: Providing funding and strategic support to schools to expand access to high quality education for children in Kansas City, especially the most marginalized
• Elevating Community Voice: Helping families and communities organize and advocate for the educational experiences they want to see

To learn more about our team and programs, visit our website at www.blaquekc.com.

Role Overview

BLAQUE KC is seeking an experienced Director of Leadership & Civic Programs to oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of BLAQUE KC’s portfolio of programs. This includes managing fellowships, bootcamps, civic education programs, governance coaching, and candidate preparation for those seeking elected office or board service. This position will report to the CEO and oversee internal team members, consultants, and/or vendors. A summary of core BLAQUE KC programs can be found here (hyperlink: https://www.blaquekc.com/programs).

The ideal candidate will be experienced in adult learning and program development, as well as familiar with K–12 governance and electoral systems—someone who can connect content, culture, and strategy to support the development of a powerful pipeline of Black leaders who can advance educational equity through school board service, policy influence, and community organizing. Responsibilities will include:

Program Ownership & Strategy

• Serve as the leader responsible for the full life cycle of BLAQUE KC’s civic and leadership programs, including Charter School Board Draft, Candidate & Campaigners Bootcamp, Candidate Classroom, New School Board Member Bootcamp, Freedom School (CDF model), Show Me MO Leaders, and School Board Governance Coaching & Training
• Collaborate with the CEO to develop and refine program goals, curriculum, scope and sequence, milestones, and impact outcomes in alignment with BLAQUE KC’s mission and strategic priorities
• Collaborate with the CEO to shape the direction of BLAQUE KC’s program strategy, including decisions about launching, expanding, or sunsetting programs in alignment with priorities
• Manage a comprehensive annual program calendar and tracking systems to coordinate timelines and ensure strategic pacing and alignment across all program offerings
• Ensure programs are rooted in political education, racial equity, and governance excellence

Content Oversight & Consultant Management

• Oversee the development of culturally responsive and politically rigorous training content and curriculum in alignment with BLAQUE KC’s goals and priorities
• Manage content consultants, guest facilitators, and speakers across programs to ensure coherence and quality
• Adapt curriculum based on post-program feedback, emerging policy trends, and participant learning needs

Program Delivery & Operations

• Oversee participant recruitment, screening, and selection processes with a focus on building diverse, mission-aligned cohorts, including collaborating with BLAQUE KC’s network and partner organizations to build pipelines
• Offer strategic oversight and creative problem-solving to ensure all programs are executed with excellence and adapted responsively as needed
• Work with internal team members, consultants, and vendors to coordinate and manage all program logistics including venues, vendor contracts, meals, transportation, swag, and materials
• Oversee day-of execution of events with precision, cultural relevance, and professionalism
• Collaborate with the Communications team to ensure program messaging, recruitment materials, and storytelling assets align with BLAQUE KC’s voice, values and brand

Grant Reporting & Impact Tracking

• Ensure all grant-funded programs are tracked for deliverables, outputs, and outcomes using program management tools
• Produce timely program reports and dashboards for internal leadership and funders
• Track participant progress, board placements, election outcomes, and long-term engagement
• Administer and analyze post-program surveys to assess knowledge gains, satisfaction, and areas for improvement
• Support Communications and Development teams with participant impact stories, metrics, and public recognition

Community Engagement & External Relationships

• Represent BLAQUE KC and its programs externally with authenticity and credibility
• Build and maintain relationships with past, current and prospective program participants including community members, college students, families, board members, school leaders, teachers, and elected officials
• Surface insights, opportunities, and feedback from the community to inform program direction and strategic evolution

Qualifications

• Program leadership experience, including managing budgets, teams, and workflows to deliver strong outcomes across multiple complex programs
• Familiarity with K-12 education highly preferred, including leadership pipelines, governance, political education, campaign management, and/or education policy with a focus on educational equity
• Skilled curriculum designer with strong facilitation and public speaking abilities
• Deep cultural fluency and an unwavering commitment to developing Black leaders and advancing educational justice
• Exceptional relationship-building skills across a wide range of stakeholders, including students and families, educators, school leaders, board members, and elected officials
• Experience in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, with comfort balancing strategic leadership with hands-on execution
• Familiarity with grant reporting, program evaluation, and CRM or data tracking tools is a plus

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous PTO, holiday, and wellness days
• Hybrid work model (Mon-Wed in office/ Thurs-Fri remote)
• Professional development and executive coaching opportunities
• Collaborative, mission-driven team culture committed to joy, excellence, and equity

To Apply

To apply, please complete our online application (hyperlink: https://forms.gle/SQcTmwMmYjnjbUrX9). We will accept applications through August 24th, 2025, and we encourage early submissions. The application asks for a resume and, in place of a cover letter, responses to each of the following questions in 250 words or less:

1. What compels you about the work of BLAQUE Kansas City, and about this position specifically?
2. What past experiences have best prepared you for this role? Please include any relevant program leadership experiences.
3. What professional values are most important to you? How have those values shaped your behavior and decisions in your career so far?

BLAQUE KC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.