Position Opening: Program Director, New Orleans

In alignment with the Hope Ignites mission and program model and under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Program Director is responsible for the overall operation and performance of the Program including the Residential and Academy (community-based) pathways and the Post-Secondary phase.

• Deadline: Open Until Filled
• Status: Regular Full-Time
• Type: Supervisory
• Location: New Orleans, LA
• Travel: As Needed

• Hire, train, coach and evaluate program team for effective and competent service delivery according to Hope Ignites quality standards. Ensure meaningful goals are developed and achieved by team through group and individual coaching meetings. Provide opportunities for growth and learning. Facilitate internal and external training opportunities. Evaluate and recommend sustainable program staffing models. Cultivate a productive and positive team working environment.
• In coordination with other staff, identify and develop meaningful volunteer roles that support scholar service delivery, program and facility needs. Ensure effective management, stewardship and engagement of program volunteers.

• Oversee all aspects of program services on a daily basis which includes but is not limited to: residential programming, academy programming, academic counseling and tutoring, school advocacy and communication, social-emotional and mental health services, character and life-skills development, spiritual growth programming, crisis management, parent engagement, service/success planning and goal progress meetings.
• Review, update and train program and other Hope Ignites staff on program curriculum, services, and calendar. Ensure effective scholar participation in My Road, the Hope Ignites signature whole-person development curriculum, and other network-wide and local programming. With input from staff conduct annual program planning that supports the Hope Ignites five development pillars (personal development, academics and empowered learning, college and career preparation, life skills, and leadership and service).
• Lead all initiatives of the affiliate in line with Hope Ignites Network best practices of child safeguarding to ensure a safe and nurturing program environment, the prevention of child abuse, and the appropriate detection, reporting, and management of suspicions, allegations, or incidents of boundary violations or abuse.
• Ensure adequate coverage and staffing and provide coverage as needed.
• Coordinate and oversee exemplary care and upkeep of Hope Ignites property and vehicles. Works with Executive Director to ensure program has adequate resources. Develop and maintain quality community and school partnerships.
• Provide recommendations and input to develop the program budget and ensure cost containment according to the budget.
• In coordination with the Executive Director, strategically position the organization for growth and expansion, according to the Network strategic plan, affiliate strengths and challenges, and community needs.
• Develop and report on key performance indicators, program outcomes and results. Prepare informative reports for the organization, board of directors and community. Use data to inform program planning. In collaboration with Hope Ignites Network Headquarters, lead program evaluation and continuous quality improvement through the Hope Ignites Performance Management Tool and process.
• Participate in and coordinate the participation of scholars and program team members in community engagement and events necessary to procure affiliate support. Provide professional and engaging representation of organization in the community.
• If applicable, serve as the official liaison to the state residential program licensing unit and ensure licensing requirements are adhered to and the organization maintains its license in good standing
• Act as liaison to the Program Committee of the Board of Directors. Facilitate useful and meaningful committee activity. Participate positively in board meetings.
• Participate in Program Leadership groups and activities for the Hope Ignites Network, including the Program Administrator Affinity Group. Attend 1-2 Hope Ignites Network gatherings per year.

• Lead college-access and preparation programming for all scholars, in conjunction with Network standards. Support team in developing, implementing, and documenting service plans, including financial assistance, for all collegians. Participate in all scholar discharge planning and conferences.
• Ensure that college persistence and career transition programming is delivered effectively.
• Evaluate and make recommendations for post-secondary support services for all Hope Ignites scholars including those at four-year university as well as those considering alternate paths.
• Evaluate and recommend activities to increase support for career-readiness and success.
• Evaluate and recommend activities and strategies to increase alumni engagement. Support alumni activities & events.
• Provide case management assistance for non-collegian alumni on an as needed basis. Evaluate and implement guidelines for “post-care” services.

• Develop and implement a referral marketing plan to ensure qualified and steady of stream of diverse scholar candidates. Provide regular stewardship and communication to referral sources. Engage others in spreading the word about the program.
• Facilitate the multi-stage application process for potential scholars and make admission decisions in consultation with the Executive Director, Program Committee and program staff. Maintain a full cohort of scholars in academy and residential programs.
• Become knowledgeable about other residential child-care agencies and services in the community in order to be a resource for referral inquiries that do not fit the Hope Ignites Scholar Profile.
• Establish and maintain a solid network within the community of youth development, college access and family support services in order to complement Hope Ignites services and ensure scholar & family needs outside of our scope are met.
• Maintain an active schedule of community networking, speaking on behalf of the organization, facilitating tours and visits to promote the program to various audiences. Work in coordination with Executive Director and the development Team.

• Hope Ignites is a small, privately funded organization relying on a competent, motivated staff to accomplish its mission of nurturing and guiding motivated young people in need to become well-educated, career-ready men and women for others. This requires flexibility and willingness of all staff members to occasionally participate in other duties as assigned.

• The position is a senior management position requiring excellent written and verbal communication and the ability to lead and guide constituents in learning, growing and embracing a diverse and inclusive environment, and managing positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders and partners.
• The position requires occasional travel in the United States to attend meetings convened by the Network and other professional gatherings.
• Must have valid driver’s license and ability to transport scholars as needed, complete errands including lifting/transporting in-kind donations up to 40 pounds.
• Must pass state and federal background checks and other screening required for working with youth

• Advanced degree in social work, education, nonprofit leadership or related field
• 5 or more years of experience with youth development, college access, out of school time, residential programs, and/or program evaluation
• 5 or more years of experience and proven track record in team leadership and supervision
• Proven skills in problem solving, staff supervision, and the ability to develop, communicate and execute strategic program planning.
• Ability to implement and monitor strategic and operational plans and prioritize and manage various activities and calendars
• Competence in written and inter-personal communication and public speaking
• Proven track record of effective communication and collaboration with a diverse array of stakeholders and community members
• Professional appearance, attitude, behavior, and representation of Hope Ignites necessary at all times
• Must have valid driver’s license
• Must pass state, federal background checks and other screening required for working with youth

While performing this job, the individual is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, see, reach with hands/arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, grasp, and use repetitive motions. Individuals may also frequently lift and/or the ability to complete errands including lifting/transporting in-kind donations up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision such as reading handwritten or typed material, or computer/device screens, and distance vision such as reading a projector screen, and the ability to adjust focus.

This job description is designed for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this job. Additional duties are performed by the individual holding this job, and additional duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Hope Ignites is an equal opportunity employer. Employment with Hope Ignites is on an at-will basis.