Position

Program Director

FLSA-Classification

Exempt, Full-time

Salary Range

$80,000

Reports to

Assistant Executive Director, Adult Programs

Location

Mill Brook Community Center

Program/Department

Jobs Plus

Date

April 2025

Summary

East Side House (ESH), founded in 1891, is a 501(c) (3) organization that has served the South Bronx since 1963. The organization is dedicated to the community and focused on providing resources and opportunities. East Side House has identified that education is the foundation for economic improvement and through its youth education and technology programs it teaches skills to allow its students and clients to become more self-sufficient and independent. As a community resource the organization also provides services to families and a growing senior population. In 2020 the organization began food distribution as an additional way to provide economic support to the community we serve.

Job Summary:

Jobs-Plus is a proven, place-based employment program designed to increase the earnings and employment of working-age residents in designated public housing developments or a cluster of developments. Jobs-Plus - Mill Brook Houses, is operated by East Side House Settlement and based in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the South Bronx. It offers workforce development, financial empowerment services and community building programming to over 3000 residents. With a recent 3-year contract renewal, Jobs-Plus is looking to expand on the services provided to residents since 2013. This expansion will include heightened focus on training and education as well as career advancement services.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Yes

Duties/Responsibilities:

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide program leadership, hire staff, and assess team; be responsible for performance outcomes, program development, and community engagement; manage the budget; liaise with HRA and its agency partners.
• Develop effective infrastructure and oversee department operations and procedures while ensuring compliance of contractual performance standards.
• Promote high quality performance management and a culture of excellence with a focus on key evidence-based practices, career readiness, workforce development and placement benchmarks.  
• Hire staff and manage staff performance through supervision, goals setting, coaching, observations and feedback, annual performance appraisals and training. 
• Develop opportunities to provide and receive feedback from staff, colleagues, business partners, and external stakeholders.  
• Meet regularly with the deputy director of the department to communicate department strengths, enhancements, adjustments, challenges, concerns that can affect productivity and effectiveness.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to respond to government and foundation requests for proposals, applications, renewals, reporting, events, and opportunities that increase revenue and sustainability as well as advocacy efforts relative to workforce development policy issues.
• Serve as liaison to key agencies, including NYCHA Tenants Association and particularly to the New York City’s Human Resources Administration to discuss policy changes and coordination issues, as needed.
• Develop an annual Jobs Plus operational plan and budget and manage the budget throughout the program year.
• Work in collaboration with East Side House’s Adult/Workforce Development programs for continued alignment.
• Assist with facilitating inter-agency and inter-program communication, represent agency at community and funder meetings.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Education/Skills/Experience

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of five (5) years of successful, similar experience; master's degree in a related field preferred.

• Demonstrated supervisory experience and leadership skills with a focus on execution and results, with ability to mentor staff to achieve higher levels of performance.
• Exhibits good judgment and analytical skills required to anticipate organizational advancement.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills: a persuasive, passionate and effective communicator with excellent public speaking skills and ability to communicate and interact comfortably with a range of stakeholders (staff, partners, funders); a compelling spokesperson on behalf of the organization mission and vision.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills with ability to work with internal and external constituents.
• Exhibits high integrity and demonstrates the ability to be valued and respected by the community, professionals, civic leaders, corporations, foundations, and government officials.
• Possesses strong organizational leadership and project management skills, able to oversee and handle multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.

• Ability to negotiate contracts and supplemental fee for services High level of proficiency in administrative work.
• Know of labor market trend and interest / knowledge of resources to navigate department changes based upon emerging industries and community needs.
• Maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders, including prospective employers, strategic partners, organization leadership, funders, community leaders.

Competencies

• Commitment to mission and goals of East Side House Settlement and Jobs Plus.
• Strong leadership skills and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to implement and manage short-term and long-term goals with JP staff.
• Flexibility and creativity to navigate program changes based on community needs.
• Skills necessary to interpret and translate contractual goals.
• Evaluate and report on program success (qualitative and quantitative) to funders
• Maintain strong relationship with all stakeholders, including organization leadership, funders, community leaders, etc.

Expected Work Schedule

This role is a full-time position expected to generally work Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and one Saturday of every month (10-3PM). Workdays/hours subject to change based on ESH's needs.

Work Environment

Business casual. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Travel

Minimal expected for this position.

Remote Work

ESH has determined that up to zero (0%) of this position can be remote due to COVID-19. Subject to change as public health conditions evolve.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary

Required Clearances

• Program Director candidates are subject to approval through Jobs Plus’s funder, the Human Resources Administration (HRA).
• COVID Vaccine- As a recipient of Federal, State, and local funds, all staff are expected to be fully vaccinated or able to obtain vaccination before their start date.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer

AAP/EEO Statement

ESH encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.