Program Director, Early Life COMPASS Elementary
About The Position
The Program Director oversees the daily operations, quality, compliance, and enrichment delivery of the Early LIFE COMPASS Elementary after-school program. The role ensures that academic support, STEAM, arts, financial literacy, athletics, social-emotional learning, and specialized services are delivered effectively and aligned with the organization’s mission and core values. The Program Director supervises staff, manages partnerships, supports families, ensures regulatory compliance, and cultivates a positive, inclusive, and innovative program culture. The position leads program administration, staffing and schedules, safety and compliance, staff development, curriculum implementation, partner coordination, family and community engagement, social-emotional and behavioral support, and operational resources and budget oversight. It supervises all staff members at the program site, including personnel responsible for Health, Curriculum and Instruction, Family Supports, and Administration. The role reports to the Executive Director and is classified as management team, non-exempt/hourly. The schedule is primarily weekday afternoons and early evenings during program hours, with additional hours required for planning, events, training, and administrative responsibilities. The role is based at Early LIFE 181st in the Bronx, New York. The listed pay range is $23.00–$27.00 per hour.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Child Development, Social Work, Recreation Management, or a related field; equivalent experience is considered.
- Strong understanding of school-age regulations, health and safety standards, and best practices.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
- Experience building relationships with families, staff, and external partners.
- Ability to multitask and remain effective in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency with technology for scheduling, communication, and documentation.
- A minimum of 3–5 years of experience in youth development, after-school programming, or school-age childcare.
- At least 2 years of supervisory experience.
- Ability to move throughout the facility and actively participate in youth activities.
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
- Ability to spend extended periods standing, walking, or interacting with children and staff.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with STEAM, robotics, arts integration, SEL, or specialized youth programs.
- Familiarity with Autism Fitness or inclusive/adaptive programming.
- Experience in grant-funded programs, reporting, or outcome measurement.
- CPR/First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain it.
Responsibilities
- Lead implementation of all after-school program components and develop and monitor schedules, staffing plans, classroom assignments, and daily routines.
- Maintain appropriate staffing ratios and ensure children are properly supervised; oversee safe and efficient arrival and dismissal procedures.
- Implement systems for attendance tracking, incident documentation, recordkeeping, and compliance reporting.
- Ensure compliance with school-age childcare regulations, licensing standards, health and safety protocols, and organizational policies.
- Conduct classroom observations, safety checks, and quality-assurance walkthroughs; maintain staff certifications and documentation and address compliance concerns with corrective action plans as needed.
- Recruit, hire, onboard, supervise, coach, and provide performance feedback to program staff.
- Lead team meetings, professional learning, and ongoing staff training, and foster a positive, collaborative workplace culture.
- Oversee daily lessons, enrichment activities, homework support, and project-based learning; ensure curriculum supports academic, social-emotional, and enrichment goals and is developmentally appropriate, engaging, culturally responsive, and inclusive.
- Collaborate with staff and partners to integrate STEAM, theatre and music, robotics, financial literacy, and other specialized services.
- Serve as the primary liaison for enrichment partners; coordinate schedules, spaces, materials, and communication, evaluate partner performance and student engagement, and develop collaborative relationships.
- Build relationships with families through daily communication, newsletters, meetings, and events; respond to concerns and coordinate showcases, performances, exhibitions, and workshops.
- Represent the program at community events, school meetings, and collaborative initiatives.
- Promote a trauma-informed, SEL-centered environment and support staff in positive guidance, restorative practices, responsive behavior strategies, conflict resolution, and student support plans.
- Manage supplies, snacks, curriculum materials, and equipment; maintain inventory and organized classrooms.
- Support budgeting, purchasing, expenditure monitoring, and fiscal accountability, and coordinate facility use with custodial teams and building administration.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
