Director of Programs

Youth Program Execution & Outcomes (YLF)

• Ensure strong day-to-day execution of the BOLT Youth Leaders Fellowship across sites through effective management, coordination, and accountability
• Track and manage key metrics including recruitment, attendance, retention, and outcomes
• Ensure teams are pacing toward goals and hitting deadlines
• Identify and address gaps early to avoid execution issues
• Build and maintain strong relationships with school administrators and partners; proactively navigate scheduling changes, communication gaps, and on-the-ground challenges to ensure program continuity
• Support expansion into new school partnerships by representing BOLT professionally and building trust with school leaders

Team Management & Accountability

• Supervise Site Managers and program operations staff (as relevant)
• Partner closely with the Learning & Evaluation Manager to ensure strong data integrity, reporting, and continuous improvement across programs
• Lead regular 1:1s and team check-ins with clear expectations and accountability
• Hold staff accountable to performance goals while supporting their development
• Contribute to hiring and performance management decisions

School & Youth Engagement

• Be present in schools approximately 3-4 days per week during the academic year, with increased on-site presence during summer programming
• Engage directly with students through recruitment, school visits, and program sessions
• Observe and support Site Managers without overstepping their day-to-day ownership
• Engage regularly with school staff and administrators to coordinate programming, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure strong alignment with school partners
• Model authentic, respectful engagement with young people

Systems, Operations & Onboarding

• Ensure strong coordination between Site Managers and Operations for student onboarding and payroll readiness (e.g., C2LPHL required forms, deadlines)
• Set and enforce clear timelines so students are fully onboarded and able to be paid on time
• Develop and maintain program calendars, workflows, and SOPs
• Identify operational gaps and improve systems for efficiency

Learning, Evaluation & Data Integrity

• Collaborate with the Learning & Evaluation Manager to ensure accurate program tracking, reporting, and data systems alignment
• Hold program staff accountable for timely and accurate data entry and documentation

BOLT School for Grassroots Leadership (SGL)

• Oversee logistics and execution of the SGL program (September-April)
• Manage participant communication, attendance tracking, and coordination
• Support session facilitation as needed
• Ensure the program runs smoothly week-to-week
• Partner with the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director, who lead curriculum and overall program design

Program Calendar & Summer Programming

• Oversee daily program execution and quality
• Manage Site Managers, who serve as facilitators/educators
• Coordinate with additional facilitators or contract educators
• Ensure strong systems, structure, and student experience across the program

Requirements

• 5+ years of full-time experience in youth development, education, or community-based programs
• 3+ years of direct people management experience
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Experience managing toward goals, metrics, or KPIs
• Comfortable using tools like Google Sheets to track and manage program data (e.g., recruitment, attendance, onboarding)
• Able to maintain organized, accurate data and use it to track progress toward goals
• Experience with Salesforce or similar database systems preferred
• Bachelor's degree in Education, Social Work or equivalent experience
• Able to work during school-day hours (approximately 7:30am-3:30pm as needed)
• Valid driver's license and consistent access to a car

What You Are

• Low ego and highly accountable—you lead by doing, not just directing
• Comfortable engaging directly with both young people and adults
• Highly organized and bring structure to fast-moving, evolving work
• Communicate clearly and directly, even when conversations are tough
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and helping teams stay grounded and focused
• Build trust and navigate relationships with school administrators and external partners with professionalism, maturity, and strong judgment
• Believe deeply in the potential of young people and show it in how you show up

What Success Looks Like In This Role

• Youth recruitment and retention goals are consistently met across sites
• Site Managers are operating with stronger consistency, accountability, and support
• Program operations run proactively rather than reactively
• School partnerships are strong and communication is reliable
• Student onboarding and payroll processes are timely and organized
• Summer programming runs with strong structure and staff coordination

Benefits

• Salary: $85,000-$95,000, commensurate with experience
• Health Coverage: 100% medical, 75% dental, and 75% vision insurance
• Time Off: Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and public holidays and 2-week winter break closing
• Flexible Work: Work-from-home flexibility during non-programming hours
• Mission-Driven Work: Opportunity to shape and scale a model that builds leadership pipelines within Philadelphia schools

Want to See Our Work in Action?

Check out our Instagram @phillybolt.