About New York Junior Tennis & Learning

For over fifty years, New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) has honored its founder Arthur Ashe’s legacy by celebrating the diversity of children, encouraging them to reach their highest potential through free tennis and academic programs. NYJTL is the largest provider of youth tennis and education programs in the nation, providing services in 100 unique sites across all five boroughs while reaching nearly 90,000 kids. In addition, NYJTL designed, funded (with NYC), built and operates the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the South Bronx. All NYJTL community tennis and after school programs are offered at no cost to its participants.

The mission of NYJTL is to develop the character of young people through tennis and education for a lifetime of success on and off the court. It believes life skills gained through tennis, academics, healthy living, and character development are a catalyst for long-term achievement.

Position Summary

The Director of Community Schools Initiative will design and oversee the program delivery of NYJTL’s new holistic program model for children and families similar to a community school strategy. They will work alongside local partners, families, school teachers and principals, to ensure that program supports and services suit the respective neighborhoods’ needs. Reporting to the agency’s Chief Education Officer, the Director will oversee the integration of traditional extracurricular activities with athletics as well as health/wellness, resulting in a comprehensive program approach. The Director will manage a team of School Directors to assure operational completion, enhance participation, and measure intended outcomes. This is an ideal opportunity for a career educator who feels passionate about school being the hub of activity for youth in under resourced communities.

Core Responsibilities

• With guidance from the Chief Education Officer, design NYJTL’s new holistic program model for children and families similar to a community school strategy
• Lead the execution of this comprehensive model featuring family engagement, social/behavioral support services, traditional afterschool activities, and sports
• Collaborate with school principals and administrators to augment attendance and participation, with a focus on student achievement as well as learning outside the classroom
• Partner with neighborhood leaders, social services agencies, families and other stakeholders to enrich the schools’ overall environments, culture, and facilities
• Represent NYJTL in community meetings and events addressing current issues and fostering parental involvement
• Continually communicate individually with students’ parents/caregivers to garner feedback/support
• Develop and utilize systems to track programming progress and evaluate the effectiveness of activities and services that support the schools’ goals
• Supervise the directors who deliver youth programs and services at various sites
• Assist the finance department with budget development, recruitment, and financial planning
• Participate in special projects related to the Initiative, as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, social work, child psychology or similar; advanced degree and/or teacher certification preferred
• 10 years' progressive experience in youth program management; background in education, school environments, or nonprofit community-based organizations
• Broad familiarity with afterschool or community school program standards and requirements
• Experience with data analysis tools, measuring outcomes, and reporting
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with experience managing staff and budgets
• Excellent interpersonal and written/spoken communication skills
• Commitment to community service, youth development, education; interest in tennis a plus
• Cultural competency, appreciation and sensitivity toward diverse students and families
• Bilingual Spanish/English a big plus

Location:

Long Island City, NY

Job Type

Full-Time, Exempt

Salary Range

$90,000 – $100,000

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 403(b) Retirement Plan

NYJTL values the diversity of the people we hire and inspire. Diversity at our organization means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, respected, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law. We center equity in all our work and in our hiring practices.