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Location: In-person / CIST Administrative Office / Austin, Texas
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Reports to: Regional Director of Programs
Supervises: This position supervises Program Directors. May supervise other employees such as Program Managers, Program Coordinators, Caseworkers, AmeriCorps members, interns, and/or volunteers as necessary.
Starting Salary: $5,850.00 /month (contingent on experience)
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Please include a cover letter with your application
About Communities In Schools
Rooted in community for over 40 years, Communities In Schools of Central Texas (CISCT) is a sophisticated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Austin, Texas. Communities In Schools (CIS) is a national organization that ensures every student has what they need to realize their full potential in school and beyond. At CISCT, our mission is simple: surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. We are a nearly $24 million organization serving tens of thousands of students annually across Central Texas.
The Senior Program Director for Campus-Based Services provides effective and inspiring leadership by being actively involved in all programs and services. The Senior Program Director pushes for continuous quality improvement by skillfully using data to inform practice while maintaining our agency culture of caring and relationships. The Senior Program Director leads others to strive for excellence in their work and is responsible for leading others to new levels of effectiveness and programmatic impact.
The Senior Program Director is responsible for two major bodies of work: (1) bringing strategic plan goals to operational reality through well-developed project management strategies, inclusive yet efficient data-informed decision making, and the ability to inspire staff to adopt new strategies, and (2) creating a culture of excellence.
Due to programming requirements, this position is not eligible for the agency's summer break
What You’ll Do
- Lead the program department to excellence
- Initiate and lead change management initiatives
- Lead Program Director team meetings and workshops, facilitating appropriate decision-making processes and creating a positive team culture
- Identify and implement program targets, goals, and work plans
- Develop and utilize data to create, interpret, communicate, and monitor action plans
- Develop and implement high-quality, engaging training for all new program staff in collaboration with the CIS Learning & Development Coordinator
- Manage the hiring process for vacant Program Director positions
- Provide initial onboarding and ongoing supervision, support, development, and training for Program Directors
- Collaborate with and steward relationships with school districts and other stakeholders for tangible positive outcomes for our programs and agency
- Support Program Directors in developing and implementing effective principal and other key stakeholder communication
- Implement data-informed decision-making and practices
- Manage contracts, create reports for funders, and assist in grant writing efforts
- Develop and manage program budgets
- Ensure Program Directors and other supervisees maintain compliance with contractual requirements and agency policies and procedures
- Collaborate with the Senior Director of Human Resources to manage challenging personnel issues and implement progressive discipline/documentation procedures, as appropriate
- Conduct periodic performance reviews for Program Directors (and other supervisees)
- Represent the Regional Director of Programs or Chief Executive Officer in the community and with other agencies, as appropriate
- Participate in the CIS team approach to service delivery and problem-solving
- Promote and maintain agency culture, standards, and systems
- Perform other activities and duties as required by the Regional Director of Programs or Chief Executive Officer
What You Bring
- Minimum of five (5) years of program management, including the demonstrated ability to direct and support programs to accomplish organizational strategic initiatives
- Minimum of three (3) years in increasingly responsible leadership roles
- Minimum of two (2) years of team management, including a strong background in staff supervision and team building
- Demonstrated ability to introduce and lead change management initiatives
- Demonstrated commitment to creating a positive work culture
- Demonstrated ability to thrive under pressure in complex and ambiguous situations
- Demonstrated experience in executing projects effectively with little direction
- Demonstrated experience in leading organizations or programs focused in youth development, mental health, data-informed case management, and/or family and community
- engagement
- Must possess an inquisitive and creative mind
- Must be independent and self-directed, but able to work and lead a team
- Must possess an understanding of a variety of business practices, including employee engagement, team cohesiveness, meeting management, and alignment with core
- competencies
- Must be able to collaborate with executives, operations teams, creative teams, and program development teams
- Must have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to persuasively promote ideas
- Must be willing to take calculated risks and manage expectations of both internal teams and potential and existing stakeholders
- Expertise in using the Microsoft O365 suite, various dynamic technologies and virtual communication apps, including MS Teams and Zoom
- Master’s Degree in a relevant field or a Bachelor’s Degree plus an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
- Access to reliable transportation
Why Join CIS?
- Mission-driven work: Be part of a team that changes the trajectory of students’ lives.
- Professional growth: Ongoing training, supervision, and career pathways into director-level roles.
- Community impact: Build partnerships that extend beyond the classroom.
- Generous paid time off: 4+ weeks of holidays, 2 weeks of vacation time, personal days and sick days
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: 100% employer-paid employee medical plan available, plus family subsidies, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
- Community-centered culture focused on impact, growth, and connection