Program Director, Western Suburban (Kane/Kendall/DeKalb)

The Program Director will manage kindergarten through high school outreach and programming in the Western Suburbs (Kane/Kendall/DeKalb Counties), develop/manage the Volunteer Experience, and manage JA’s experienced based programs for elementary, middle, and high school levels. You will assure that all daily operations of JA programs are implemented, including management of program requests/execution, volunteer recruitment/training, board relations & committees, support and program staff, all program administrative procedures, key account management, yearly calendar planning and other duties as needed to deliver on our mission. The ideal candidate will be passionate about JA’s mission, focused on building strong relationships with educators and volunteers, and excited to expand JA’s programming in towns/cities both within and outside of our local JA Area.

Title: Program Director, Western Suburban (Kane/Kendall/DeKalb)

Area:

Reports to: VP of Programs

Status: Full-Time, Salaried

Impact

Junior Achievement is the world's largest and fastest-growing non-profit economics education organization. Started in Chicago in 1940, Junior Achievement of Chicago office served over 363,000 students last school year. We are passionate people dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Supervise a suburban program team of Program Managers, Volunteer and Student Experience Managers.

• Coordinate and implement experience-based programs.

• Maintain strong understanding of updates to program implementation.

• Continually expand JA’s experiences in key growth communities.

• Develop and manage volunteer experience tools and execution.

• Work closely with program staff to leverage current partnerships with schools and volunteer companies/organizations.

• Cultivate relationships with new school systems and volunteer sources.

• Responsible for ensuring high quality program implementation.

• Coach and develop skills of program staff. Foster a team collaborative culture within and outside of your team/department.

• Manage and assist in developing the Division Board(s) to increase student outreach and division board leadership engagement.

• Oversee experiences, operations, human resources, technology needs of staff and office support functions.

• With President, SVP of Education & Operations, VP of Programs, VP of Development & Special Events, and the Board, set strategic plan and program goals for outreach, student numbers, classes, and funding.

• With the VP of Programs, develop a yearly calendar for your team aligning to the overall education team timetables and team reporting.

• Other projects as required.

Qualifications (required)

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Seven or more years of JA or related experience in education or marketing/sales.

• Superior team management skills.

• Strong relationship management skills with the ability to work with a variety of constituents, including educators, volunteers, and funders.

• Excellent organization, presentation, communication and interpersonal skills.

• Commitment to providing superior customer service.

• Knowledge of education, community, and organizations.

• Ability to work collaboratively and in a team environment, self-motivated, and self-starter

• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office, Google Suite, etc.

• Established relationships with businesses and local schools.

• Candidate must have a valid driver’s license and adequate vehicle transportation to meet the responsibilities of the position.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to: sit, walk, occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, continually required to talk or hear, occasionally required to bend, lift or climb, frequently required to lift and carry light weights (25-50 pounds) and specific vision abilities include: close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust or focus.