Director of Program Implementation

At Summer Search, we believe in 'No Ceilings' and envision a world in which young people, regardless of circumstances, can chart their own destiny. In the United States, students from underserved communities – disproportionately BIPOC and first-generation – face systemic inequities in school, in the workforce, and in life. Nevertheless, these young people possess unique strengths, resilience, and limitless potential. Since 1990, Summer Search has partnered with young people during their transition from adolescence into adulthood by connecting them to expansive opportunities, professional mentoring, and a community of support. Summer Searchers recognize their potential and build a toolkit to navigate and challenge systemic barriers, break new ground for their families and communities, and achieve economic equity and a life of purpose. THE OPPORTUNITY Summer Search is seeking a Director of Program Implementation to join our National Program Team. This hire will provide strategic leadership to ensure we deliver consistent, and high-quality programming that is consistently evolving to youth across Summer Search’s entire network –which includes 3,000 participants this program year. Reporting to the Managing Director of Programs, the Director of Program Implementation will join a passionate and dedicated National Program Team who collaborates closely with our five regional sites across the network (Bay Area, Seattle, Philadelphia, NYC, and Boston), organizational leadership, and other national teams. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic program leader to make an impact on an organization on the National level across Summer Search’s core program components-- High School Mentoring, Summer Experiences, and Post-Secondary Advising and Career Programming. WHAT YOU’LL DO The Director of Program Implementation is responsible for ensuring consistent, high-quality program delivery across the network by developing and strengthening implementation systems, operational processes, curriculum resources, training strategies, and support structures that drive positive outcomes for young people. Program implementation (50%): Lead national program implementation by ensuring fidelity to the organization’s model and building the systems, processes, and support structures needed for consistent program delivery and strong participant outcomes. Oversee the review, enhancement, and implementation of curriculum and program resources to ensure relevance, feasibility, and effectiveness in meeting youth needs. Lead the ongoing evaluation and improvement of implementation tools, operational processes, and support mechanisms to increase efficiency, effectiveness, staff satisfaction, and program impact. Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and data-informed decision-making that advances program quality, staff effectiveness, and outcomes for youth served by the organization. Support the implementation of new program initiatives, pilots, and organizational priorities, managing effective communication, and ensuring successful adoption across the network. Learning, Development, and Capacity Building (20%): Develop and coordinate carrying out strategies to address emerging site needs, ensuring sites receive timely, consistent, and high-quality support across the national network. Ensure site program training, delivery, and outcomes are aligned with national standards. In partnership with the Talent team, design and lead strategies, that equip program staff with skills, tools and support they need to deliver high-quality programming with fidelity to our model including onboarding and ongoing training, coaching, and technical assistance. Establish and monitor program quality standards, implementation of benchmarks, and continuous improvement processes to drive strong and consistent outcomes. Provide National support for 2-3 cross-site program staff cohorts ensuring cohorts follow best practices and inform strategy and implementation org-wide. Program Leadership (30%) : Support National Program’s systems and structures and represent program as a key leader within the network. Support the development and execution of long-term program strategy, crisis response protocol, annual program project plans, development of Program goals across the network, and budgeting processes in partnership with the Managing Director of Program. Drive the integration of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles across all aspects of program design, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement to advance equitable outcomes for young people. Identify opportunities to scale effective practices and strengthen operational systems in support of organizational growth and long-term sustainability. WHO YOU ARE The Director of Program implementation position calls for a motivated leader who can translate organization-wide strategies into local program delivery and who is passionate about program excellence. Specifically, this hire will bring: EXPERIENCE: A minimum of 7 years of experience in the non-profit sector inclusive of 4+ years of leadership in strategic implementation of programs and initiatives, preferably within human services, youth development, mentorship or education sectors. Experience working within a networked organization is a plus. STRATEGIC ACUMEN: You anticipate, articulate, and prepare for various outcomes and use this skill to collaboratively develop objectives and priorities that are informed by data and align with the organizational direction. TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION: You value many voices, are comfortable creating space for dialogue and handle interpersonal issues constructively. You inspire and foster commitment, connection, enthusiasm and trust and motivate others to achieve common goals. PROJECT MANAGEMENT: You take initiative to create systems and structures to achieve goals and objectives. You succeed at managing multiple workstreams and motivating, coordinating, and directing others to stay on track. ADAPTABILITY: You tackle challenges and unfamiliar scenarios head-on with a solutions-oriented, flexible, and curious approach. You are willing to try new things and actively seek to understand multiple perspectives. CRITICAL CONCIOUSNESS: You have an understanding of the root causes of societal discrimination and injustices and are self-reflective about your own privilege and positional power. You apply critical thinking and take action toward liberatory and inclusive practices. TECHNOLOGY SKILLS: (if applicable) Command of CRM for program data management and reporting, Salesforce strongly preferred. Ability to use data systems to inform decision making. In addition, all Summer Search staff bring a commitment to our mission of unleashing students’ potential through mentoring and transformative experiences, as well as the ability to thrive in an environment that values excellence, gratitude, well-being, diversity, authenticity, and collaboration. LOCATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS New hires must be residing in one of their following states by their first day of employment: California, Washington, Pennsylvania, New York, or Massachusetts.