Position Overview
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Collective Shift, the Director of Programs will be responsible for the operational and programmatic success of LRNG’s partnership organizations as well as its growth from strategic partner opportunities; ensuring seamless team management, partnerships, program delivery, partnership support and quality control and evaluation. In this role, the Director of Programs will manage a growing staff of 5. The Director of Programs will be the key external face of LRNG across all community and corporate partnerships and will have a large role in overall development. In short, this role will dictate how we execute the program through partnerships both virtually and on the ground.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual with team management experience to grow and further develop a proven program. The successful candidate will lead program development, partner with the COO and work collaboratively with a high-performance management team.
Leadership
Cultivate relationships with new content providers, from both the nonprofit and corporate sectors; strengthen existing relationships with key partners with the goal of developing a national ecosystem of providers as well as local implementation models.
Facilitate and close strategic national and local partnership opportunities.
Lead partnership strategy efforts, for example, design sessions with key leads and strategic partners.
Embody the program offering and serve as lead ambassador for the program from a partnerships perspective.
Develop and implement strategies that will maximize the synergies among program areas.
Ensure that LRNG is recognized as a premier alternative distribution channel for learning content for youth.
Team Management and Development
Build out program function for the partnerships team, i.e. develop and implement a system to evaluate the skill, experience, and professional development needs of all community based organizations.
Implement a professional development and training program to members’ experience and skill gaps.
Work with staff to develop objective performance measurements across all sites to ensure consistent, high-quality evaluation and goal setting for all members.
Instill a sense of accountability among team members by modeling tight oversight of individual and organization performance standards.
Recruit, hire, and oversee training and orientation of all staff members.
Program Operational Management
Establish consistent, objective program performance standards of accountability; ensure that there are proper feedback loops to the rest of the organization.
Ensure quality content on the new Collective Shift/LRNG platform.
Work with consultants and colleagues to design support for organizations to contribute to the platform, including training related to the platform, badges, playlists, etc.
Build a professional learning community for organizations to create cross organizational learning
Minimum Qualifications
10+ years of experience in Program Management with three of those in a team management role
Demonstrated success developing and evaluating program models, and selecting and successfully operationalizing innovative programs
Experience supporting and engaging in complex partnerships as well as designing offerings without any predisposed blueprint
Proficient in using technology as a management reporting tool and experience working with information technology staff to develop and implement program evaluation systems
Strong project management skills managing complex, multifaceted projects resulting in measurable successes and program growth
Experience working with a high-performance, collaborative, constructive peer group
Strength in hiring, recruiting, managing, developing, coaching, and retaining individuals and teams, empowering them to elevate their levels of responsibility, span-of-control and performance
Demonstrated results in managing through complex systems and proven experience negotiating win-win agreements
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with exceptional attention to details
Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to and passion for the Cities of Learning mission
Preferred Qualifications
The ideal candidate will also have the following preferred prior experience, skills and dispositions:
Experience in running innovative programs working with private, public and community based organizations
Ideally this person has expertise in designing digital programs from scratch that deliver significant value to multiple stakeholders
Prior experience working with youth serving organizations
Education
Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline
Master’s degree preferred
Working Conditions
The Director of Programs will work in an office environment with substantial amounts of computer work.
Primary Location
This position will be located in Chicago, IL
How to apply
To apply, please send an email with the subject “Director of Programs” and attach a cover letter and resume to jobs@collectiveshift.org.
GlassLab, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, sex, gender identification, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, race, religion or any other protected class.
Note to Third Party Agencies
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