Programs Director

About AAPD

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) works to increase the political and economic power of people with disabilities. As a national disability-led and cross-disability rights organization, AAPD advocates for full civil rights for over 60 million Americans with disabilities. We do this by promoting equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation through our programs and advocacy. We are looking to hire staff who embody our mission and are invested in building the disability rights movement.

AAPD is an equal opportunity employer. Our office collaborates across initiatives to actively uplift and center the diversity of the disability community in our work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. Applicants with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

AAPD has an office headquartered in Washington, DC, but also has flexible workplace and remote work policies. AAPD follows strong COVID-19 Prevention Policies in our DC office and whenever our staff are in-person.

We Offer a Competitive Benefits Package Including

• Unlimited PTO
• Flexible work schedule
• 403(b) with 5% employer match
• 100% employer coverage of Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance for each employee and up to 2 dependents
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is seeking a Programs Director to oversee the organization’s programming initiatives focused on career advancement, leadership development, and community building. The Director will be in charge of team management and will be key to strategic planning to ensure the program goals are achieved. The Director will also manage the program operations, including planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. This leadership position also collaborates with other leadership team members to maximize programmatic impact.

Roles And Responsibilities

Supervision and Leadership

• Manage a team of three full-time employees, with plans for future expansion; also manages relevant contractors
• Develop and implement strategies for staff development, ensuring long-term sustainability and growth through practices such as regular check-ins and professional development opportunities
• Facilitate regular cadence of the Programs Team meetings to foster a collaborative team dynamic
• Ensure smooth collaboration and communication on behalf of the Programs team with other AAPD departments

Program Management

• Oversee the Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Award program cycle, including application, recruitment, support, and evaluation, and unique to 2025 year is planning activities for the 25th anniversary of the Hearne Award
• Support the Programs Team in the execution of AAPD’s program portfolio, including the Summer and Fall Internship Programs, Disability Advocacy Certificate Program, NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship, Disability Mentoring Day, and Alumni Network
• Draft or revise relevant program protocols and policies as needed (e.g. COVID-19, Code of Conduct, travel, logistics, etc)
• Monitor program activities, outcomes, and overall effectiveness
• Collaborate with the Vice President of Programs to draft program budgets and manage larger contracts
• Ensures proper management of daily expenses
• Craft recommendations for Vice President of Programs and other AAPD leadership when programming needs to change or shift
• Serve as the back-up to all program leads, including the Vice President of Programs, when necessary

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Research and implement best practices related to program implementation and continuous improvement
• Develop and standardize evaluation metrics to measure the short-term, medium-term, and long-term impact of all programs
• Prepare applications and detailed reports for sponsors, Board Members, and external partners
• Tracks and ensures compliance with grant requirements and deliverables

Strategic Planning and Program Development

• Identify and implement strategies to enhance program efficiency and effectiveness
• Assess and report on potential areas for program improvement and expansion to the Vice President of Programs to ensure continued growth and impact

Qualifications

• 7 years of cumulative relevant experience, with a strong background in equitable recruitment and workplace strategies, leadership development, and community building
• 2 years of experience supervising and / or managing a team of full-time employees
• Strong communication skills across multiple audiences and programs
• Ability to be resourceful, practical, and decisive in planning and executing activities
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and independently on projects
• Excellent organizational skills for program management
• Familiarity with current events and government policies affecting the disability community
• Strong background knowledge in disability rights, civil rights, and issues affecting marginalized communities
• Proficient in Google Suites, Microsoft Office, Slack, and ability to learn how to use new online management tools

Selected candidates will participate in a 15-20 minute screening. Next, the candidate will participate in two round interviews, 60 minutes each, comprised of members of the Programs Team and AAPD’s Leadership Team. If moved forward, the candidate will have a final 30-minute interview with the President & CEO. AAPD will complete reference checks after the final interview. The offer will be contingent upon a successful background check due to interactions with youth.

If you have any inquiries, please email sisenberg@aapd.com with the subject line, “Programs Director Inquiry.”

The application deadline is March 7th, 2025. AAPD will review applications on a rolling basis.

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Salary : $90,000 - $110,000