After-School Director

About the role

The School-Based Afterschool Director serves as the onsite leader and supervisor of Harlem Grown’s COMPASS after-school program at Young Diplomats Academy, overseeing all program operations, staff supervision, compliance, participant engagement, and program implementation. The Afterschool Director is responsible for ensuring high-quality youth development programming that supports academic achievement, social-emotional learning, enrichment, and community engagement in alignment with Harlem Grown’s mission and NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) standards. With oversight from the Director of Youth Programs, this role leads the overall management and day-to-day operations of the site, ensuring a safe, engaging, and high-quality environment for youth and families.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of Harlem Grown’s COMPASS after-school program at Young Diplomats Academy in partnership with the Director of Youth Programs, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and high-quality environment for youth and families.
• Oversee all site-based programming, including after-school, summer camp, family engagement activities, youth leadership initiatives, and special events.
• Ensure high-quality program implementation through effective scheduling, staff training, coaching, and alignment with Harlem Grown’s mission, values, curriculum, and program expectations.
• Ensure all programming is delivered within established timelines and in compliance with DYCD, organizational, school, licensing, and safety requirements.
• Supervise daily program operations, including attendance tracking, activity coordination, student transitions, scheduling, and overall program logistics.
• Manage participant recruitment, enrollment, attendance, retention, and engagement strategies, fostering strong relationships with youth and caregivers.
• Support the implementation of youth leadership and workforce development opportunities, including Counselor-in-Training (CIT) and other youth development pathways.
• Oversee the implementation of Harlem Grown’s food and farm education curriculum and ensure programming is engaging, developmentally appropriate, and outcome-driven.
• Work in alignment with organizational calendars and priorities, including evaluations, surveys, professional development, reporting cycles, and special initiatives.
• Use program data, observations, and feedback to drive continuous improvement and strengthen participant outcomes.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of Harlem Grown’s mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Food or Environmental Studies, Child Development, Nonprofit Management, Community Development, or a related field required; Master’s degree a plus.
• 5–7 years of experience in youth development, education, community-based programming, or nonprofit program management, including at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Must be on the pathway to being OCFS certified site director or already meet the requirements (a bachelor’s degree in a child-related field or a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential).
• At least 2–3 years of experience leading and supervising after-school and/or out-of-school-time programs in a school-based or community-based setting.
• Experience managing or supporting multi-generational, community-based programming and/or a multi-use community space, community center, or similar site strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience training, coaching, and supervising adult staff, including performance management and professional development.
• Experience working with public systems or partners such as NYC DOE, DYCD, or similar agencies is a plus.
• Strong understanding of youth development principles, trauma-informed and inclusive practices, and family- and community-centered engagement strategies.
• Commitment to equity and experience integrating racial and social justice principles into program design and team leadership is a plus.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills, with strong leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities in a fast-paced, multi-program environment.
• Background in food education, urban agriculture, environmental education, or related fields is a plus.
• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus.
• Must be available to work day times, weekends, and evenings, as needed.

Compensation Range

$70,000 - $80,000 USD