Program Director

Bot Verification•Detroit, MI

About The Position

The Program Director is responsible for the overall management and direction of Brilliant Detroit’s Programs Department. As part of the organization’s distributed leadership structure, the director oversees programs delivered at or through neighborhood hubs, ensuring continuity, quality, appropriate delivery, and measurable outcomes across education, family support, and health. The role works closely with Community Engagement, Learning, Research and Evaluation, Stewardship, Partnerships, and other teams to develop and improve programming, support staff and facilitators, and ensure programs meet families’ needs and align with Brilliant Detroit’s mission and model. The director also serves on the organizational leadership team, leads goal-setting for the Programs Department, supports organization-wide priorities, and helps ensure program-related grants are applied for, managed, and reported on effectively. The position is based in a fast-paced, reflective, relationship-centered environment and requires local travel. Evening and weekend work may be required.

Requirements

At least five years of experience in nonprofit or community settings is preferred, particularly in program development and implementation.
Proficiency in two-generation, holistic approaches to program delivery.
Demonstrated experience managing people across multiple locations, teams, departments, and stakeholder groups.
Demonstrated experience creating efficient and effective internal organizational systems.
Comprehensive abilities in program planning, budgeting, implementation, management, and evaluation; community-based experience involving multiple partners and programs is ideal.
Experience with grant writing, management, and reporting.
Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to represent the organization externally.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, reflective, and entrepreneurial work environment.
Ability to work cooperatively with people from diverse racial, economic, and cultural backgrounds.
Ability to lift and move at least 25 pounds.
Mobility to navigate stairs and actively participate in physical activities with children.
Reliable transportation for local travel.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field preferred.
At least five years of nonprofit or community-setting experience, particularly related to program development and implementation, preferred.
COVID vaccination preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversee all programming initiatives at or through Brilliant Detroit neighborhood hubs, ensuring continuity, quality, and delivery within neighborhoods.
Direct the Programming Department and ensure program offerings support desired outcomes in education, family support, and health, and are developed, implemented, and monitored to produce high-quality experiences and measurable outcomes.
Determine staffing needs, develop individual staff plans, and participate in hiring decisions for program staff.
Collaborate with Community Engagement staff and organizational partners to develop program offerings aligned with Brilliant Detroit’s mission and model and responsive to community needs.
Ensure Programming Department team members work in the field alongside Community Engagement staff to strengthen cross-departmental relationships and program quality.
Keep the Program Offering Menu updated and communicate program information consistently to the Community Engagement Department.
Work with the Learning, Research, and Evaluation Director to support implementation fidelity and regularly review programs for quality.
Collaborate with Stewardship staff to identify and scope volunteer and service-member programming needs, support selection and onboarding, and ensure adequate oversight capacity.
Coach program facilitators and oversee systems for onboarding, feedback, and ongoing support.
Document processes and workflows, and design and facilitate workshops for staff and participants to support continuous improvement and high-quality, holistic program delivery.
Serve on the Brilliant Detroit leadership team and help establish organizational priorities and actions.
Lead goal-setting for the Programming Department and support organization-wide goal-setting, ensuring departmental goals align with organizational goals.
Support program-related grant applications, outcome management, and reporting.
Collaborate with Partnerships and Learning teams to support effective, reflective coordination of partnerships and programs.
Identify opportunities to improve project and system effectiveness through planning and execution.
Keep current with developments in early childhood education, literacy, family support, and health.