Program Director, Community Schools

Company: United Way Worldwide
Location: Boston
Posted on: February 1, 2025

Job Description:

About UsWe are the Uniters. We bring people together to solve problems. We identify the most pressing issues in our community, and we bring together the people we think can solve them. United Way funds agencies that, working together, can address the nuances of complex problems like homelessness or the academic achievement gap. We create programs and initiatives to fill unmet needs. We deploy volunteers and socially responsible companies as the engines of change and the feet on the street, delivering hope to people in need. We raise funding through generous donors who understand that social change can't happen without it.We offer excellent benefits including a BCBS PPO plan, dental, a 401k retirement savings with company match and an employer base contribution, a generous PTO policy which includes extended holiday time and summer hours. We also are offering staff a hybrid work schedule in a new office environment.Position SummaryUnited Way of Massachusetts Bay is committed to seeding and expanding Community Schools in its region and statewide. By partnering with families, students, communities, and partners, a Community Schools strategy leverages all collaborators in students' success. United Way provides capacity to do this work by supporting a Community School strategy in coordinating implementation, professional development, fundraising, evaluation, sustainability, and policy development.The Program Director, under the direction of the Senior Director of Community Schools and Education Strategies and with a team of colleagues at United Way, will support the implementation and expansion of a Community Schools strategy in our region, with a particular emphasis on Boston. In Boston, this role will facilitate United Way's intermediary role in an ongoing Boston Community Hub Schools effort in 20 schools, carried out in partnership with the Boston Public Schools, Boston Teachers Union, City of Boston, YMCA of Greater Boston, City Year Boston, and UMass Boston.With a strong set of facilitative leadership, project management, communication, and partnership development skills, the Program Director will facilitate communication and collaboration within the Community Schools strategy. This role requires knowledge of current educational equity policies and strategies and must proactively engage in continuous improvement practices. The ideal candidate has experience building and delivering high-impact initiatives in communities, working directly with leaders in school districts and communities, management of multiple partnerships, and is comfortable adapting to and working in changing environments.This is a one-year, grant-funded position. Continuation is not guaranteed and is contingent on renewed grant-funding.Primary ResponsibilitiesProject Management and Partnership Development

• Support the collective and collaborative vision and strategy of Boston Community Hub Schools
• Develop relationships and work regularly and directly with partners within the governance structure for the Boston Community Hub Schools strategy, including Greater Boston YMCA, Boston Teachers Union, Boston Public Schools, City of Boston, and other Hub Schools collaborators
• Facilitate alignment between all collaborators and of all activities by providing project management, developing communications systems within the governance structure, and promoting accountability
• Support the planning for strategic gatherings that promote strategy alignment, capacity building, professional development, and cross-sector collaborations
• Develop and support an onboarding strategy for Boston Community Hub Schools collaborators, in partnership with several existing collaborators
• Draw connections to and support alignment between multiple Community Schools communities in United Way's regionActive Engagement in the Community Schools Movement
  • Stay current on trends and developments in the Community Schools movement (e.g., participate in Learning Networks, ongoing training and professional development)
  • Track new and evolving policies at the national, state and local levels related to the implementation of a Community Schools strategy
  • Integrate innovations and advancements from the Community Schools movement locally
  • Support the Massachusetts Community Schools Coalition with connection to the work happening in local communities
  • Represent United Way at external events, including convenings, webinars, and coalition meetings, to foster external relationships and to collaborate strategically with partnersFundraising and Grants Management
    • Work in partnership with the United Way team and community partners to pursue sources of funding to support Community Schools efforts and ensure long-term sustainability
    • Contribute to grant proposals, including writing and working with collaborators, to submit proposals
    • Manage grant reporting for current and future grants
    • Manage a collaborative and braided funding strategy for the Boston Community Hub Schools strategySkills and Qualifications
      • Bachelor's Degree in a related field preferred
      • 3-5 years of experience developing partnerships and managing programs in an education-related field
      • Utilizes a lens of equity, diversity, inclusion, and promotion of multi-cultural awareness in the development of strategies and visioning
      • Considerable interpersonal, verbal, presentation and written communications skills with the ability to communicate and interact with all levels of staff, administration, volunteers, families, students, and community members in a diverse community
      • Knowledge and experience in the fields of education and community development; experience in Community Schools a particular asset
      • Strong experience with project management, documentation, and communication
      • Excellent writing, editing, verbal, facilitation and presentation skills
      • Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills
      • Ability to manage multiple programs, people, resources, partnerships, and directives
      • Ability to work a flexible schedule which includes days/evenings/weekends as neededUnited Way of Massachusetts Bay is committed to hiring individuals who reflect the diversity of our communities.For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.
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Keywords: United Way Worldwide, Newton , Program Director, Community Schools, Executive , Boston, Massachusetts