Program Director - Bay Area

Job Summary

The Bridges Program Director is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, financial sustainability, and growth of the local programs (San Francisco, Oakland and Richmond).

Core Work Activities

• Develop and manage the local operating budget in alignment with available funding and approved financial guidelines.
• Ensure consistent implementation of the Bridges program model, including required documentation, data collection, reporting, and operational standards.
• Achieve established site goals related to enrollment, placement, retention, completion, advancement, and other program outcomes while delivering strong value to funding partners.
• Monitor program data, financial performance, and site progress to identify risks, challenges, and opportunities, and regularly report results to Bridges leadership.
• Identify, develop, and manage local funding opportunities that strengthen program stability, growth, and expansion.
• Establish and maintain strong community relationships, serve as the primary local spokesperson, and increase awareness of Bridges and its impact.
• Set high standards of performance, model expected behaviors, take ownership of objectives, and demonstrate initiative.
• Establish priorities, organize work, monitor staff performance, and provide the direction and accountability needed to achieve goals.
• Foster an inclusive environment and adapt assignments and work processes so employees and partners can contribute effectively.

Development, Fundraising, Partnerships and Grant Management

• Identify, cultivate, and manage funding opportunities, including grants, contracts, sponsorships, corporate contributions, and other local revenue sources.
• Develop and maintain relationships with funders, employers, schools, government agencies, workforce organizations, business groups and community partners.
• Build strategic partnerships that increase funding, employment opportunities, participant referrals, community visibility, and program growth.
• Collaborate with Bridges' development team on funding proposals, applications, renewals, reporting, and funder stewardship.
• Serve as the primary local spokesperson for Bridges and represent the organization at funder meetings, employer meetings, community events, and public forums.
• Monitor grant and contract requirements, budgets, deliverables, documentation, invoicing, reporting, and compliance.
• Coordinate with finance, operations, development, and program staff to manage funding successfully and promptly communicate compliance concerns or financial risks.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Recruitment and selection:
• Build and maintain a motivated team with a common vision of critical goals and a shared commitment to achievement.
• Complete timely orientation of all new hires.
• Ongoing training and development.
• Continuously monitor, measure, and manage performance, providing coaching, counseling, and guidance as necessary.
• Alignment of program goals to staff accountability and performance.
• Generate creative and effective solutions to challenges that ensure goal attainment.
• Create dynamic support mechanisms to ensure long-term organizational stability.

Education and Experience

• Five years of progressive experience in a related field (e.g., business management, social services, education, human resources) with at least three years at a supervisory level.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• Proven success in supervision and leadership, particularly in training, directing, and building a team of professionals.
• Understanding of the business community, and demonstrated success in establishing and building successful business relationships.
• Familiarity and ability to work effectively with the human service sector, especially in the areas of disability, school to work transition, and youth and job development.

Required Skills

• High level of emotional intelligence and ability to manage stakeholder relationships.
• Strong verbal and written communication.
• Ability to supervise direct reports including recruit, train, coach, counsel, and manage performance.
• Ability to participate in strategic planning.
• High degree of organization.
• Proficient in computer applications such as Microsoft Office Suites.
• Ability to monitor grant funding to ensure eligibility and reporting requirements are met.
• Resilient under pressure and during challenges in the workplace.
• Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; obtains and compares information from different sources to draw conclusions, develops and evaluates alternatives and solutions, solves problems, and chooses a course of action.
• Exhibits behavioral styles that convey confidence and command respect from others; makes a good first impression and represents the organization in alignment with its values.
• Ability to work in field as needed.
• Valid driver’s license (where applicable).
• If using own transportation, will need to pass MVR and insurance requirements.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to operate general office equipment.
• Ability to operate a vehicle or proficiency in using public transportation for commuting to various locations on a regular basis.