Girls on the Run Georgia - Program Director

Job Title: Program Director

Reports to: Executive Director

FLSA Status: Exempt, Salaried

Location: Hybrid

Girls on the Run is a transformational physical activity-based positive youth development program for girls in 3rd-8th grade. We teach life skills and social emotional learning through a youth development curriculum that includes dynamic interactive lessons and running games. The program culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K running event. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness. You can find Girls on the Run programs in schools and community sites in Athens, Greater Atlanta, North Georgia, and Golden Isles.

At Girls on the Run, our core values guide our way and we stand firm in our long-standing commitment to building a world where every person can know and activate their limitless potential. We are committed to leveraging our intellectual, financial, and human resources to advance strategies to be inclusive, equitable and accessible to all. Our headquarters and councils are working to bring diverse voices to the table as we know that unique perspectives strengthen the quality and scope of our organization.  We pledge to reflect the communities we engage, not only in appearance, but also through fostering an atmosphere of community connectedness that serves as a model for our participants and other stakeholders.

Position Summary

The Program Director provides strategic leadership for the delivery, growth, and sustainability of all organizational programs, consistent with the mission of Girls on the Run. This role is responsible for creating and executing a vision for program expansion, ensuring program quality, and cultivating meaningful relationships with staff, volunteers, and external stakeholders. This position entails managing a team of staff members, including hiring, onboarding, and fostering professional development. It also encompasses oversight of all programmatic operations, including youth development, volunteer engagement, technological innovation, compliance, and site management.

As a member of the leadership team, the Program Director plays a critical role in advancing the organization’s mission and values while driving the achievement of programmatic and organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Program Management

• Develop and execute a long-term strategy for scaling Girls on the Run programs, with a focus on expanding into underserved areas and increasing program accessibility.
• Lead long-term program planning, including determining goals for program delivery in partnership with the Executive Director and aligning with the organization’s strategic plan and financial sustainability goals.
• Cultivate relationships with school districts, community organizations, colleges and universities, and other potential program partners to support growth and retention of program sites.
• Provide ongoing strategic direction and support to expansion territories.
• Act as the primary point of contact for the Program Department to the Board of Directors, Young Professionals Board, and other organizational stakeholders.
• Regularly assess community needs and ensure programs remain relevant, impactful, and aligned with the organization's mission.

Program Quality

• Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of all programs to ensure they meet established quality standards and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Develop and manage an annual program calendar and budget in collaboration with the operations team.
• Establish robust systems for monitoring and evaluating program success using data-driven metrics, surveys, and participant feedback.
• Ensure compliance with training guidelines and policies from Girls on the Run International and organizational safety protocols.
• Act as council lead on program evaluations for assessing program quality for grant/funder, marketing and GOTR International requirements.
• Manage escalated issues requiring interventions, such as participant, caregiver, or coach concerns that exceed Program Managers’ responsibilities or knowledge.
• Partner with Marketing to implement targeted communication strategies that drive recruitment and retention of participants, sites, and coaches.
• Lead efforts to incorporate youth development best practices into program delivery, ensuring safe, inclusive, and impactful experiences for participants.

Program Operations

• Recruit and manage sites that offer our programs – Girls on the Run, Heart & Sole and Camp GOTR.
• Develop relationships with schools and community sites to increase and retain program sites and volunteer coaches.
• Support sites in renewing site registration and coach application forms.
• Manage volunteer coach placement for teams.
• Continuously communicate with the Marketing team about site and coach recruitment needs.
• Coordinate with all sites prior to and during the season to ensure each site is facilitating the program with consistency and providing a high-quality experience for participants.

Growth & Expansion

• Develop and implement a strategic plan for expanding Girls on the Run into new geographic territories, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and long-term goals.
• Develop scalable models for program implementation in new territories, ensuring operational efficiency, program quality, and financial sustainability.
• Work closely with the Development and Marketing teams to secure funding and sponsorship opportunities to support expansion initiatives.
• Create/build relationships with school districts and community stakeholders in new territories to understand the local programming landscape and climate for GOTR programs.
• Regularly evaluate expansion efforts using data-driven insights, tracking key performance metrics to measure success and identify areas for improvement.

Team and Volunteer Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performing program team by setting clear expectations, providing ongoing coaching, and fostering professional growth.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, and manage program staff and interns, ensuring effective goal setting and progress toward goals.
• Develop and execute strategies to recruit, train, and retain diverse volunteers, ensuring meaningful and rewarding experiences.
• Cultivate a collaborative culture by empowering staff and volunteers with the tools, resources, and support needed to succeed.
• Share program management and youth development best practices with staff and volunteer coaches.
• Manage interns including building relationships with universities, fulfilling eligibility requirements, assigning tasks and overseeing work product.

Technology and Innovation

• Drive the integration of technology to streamline program operations, including database management, application processes, and reporting tools.
• Lead the automation of key processes such as coach recruitment, site registration, and background checks to improve efficiency and scalability.
• Ensure timely and accurate data collection and analysis to support decision-making and reporting to stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy

• Serve as a role model for Girls on the Run, exhibiting our core values and working to achieve the mission.
• Attend and work special events for the organization and/or community events to help raise awareness of organization, or in support of a community partnership as needed.
• Attend and work program events including site visits, info meetings, coach training and the Girls on the Run 5K. Includes some evenings and weekends, virtual and in-person events.
• Act as a key spokesperson for the organization’s programs, representing the organization at community events, conferences, and stakeholder meetings.
• Partner with the Development team to identify funding opportunities, provide programmatic insights for grant applications, and steward donor relationships.
• Develop positive relationships with volunteers, Board members, community members, school personnel, and corporate sponsors.
• Attend and work special events and program events, including site visits, coach training, and the Girls on the Run 5K, which may include some evenings and weekends.

Key Skills & Competencies

·       Ability to create and implement long-term strategies for growth and sustainability.

·       Proficiency in cultivating partnerships with schools, community organizations, and other stakeholders.

·       Expertise in planning, delivering, and evaluating community-based programs.

·       Experience in scaling programs while maintaining quality, efficiency, and sustainability.

·       Ability to develop budgets, secure funding, and align expansion initiatives with financial goals.

·       Proficiency in setting clear, measurable goals and aligning them with organizational objectives.

·       Ability to lead and inspire a team, set expectations, and provide coaching and feedback.

·       Skilled in recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers.

·       Advanced knowledge of data management systems, automation tools, and program analytics.

·       Competence in making informed decisions based on data and program needs.

·       Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and advocacy.

·       Ability to clearly articulate the program's mission and benefits to potential partners and stakeholders.

·       Competence in leveraging technology to streamline operations and improve efficiency.

·       Capacity to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines effectively.

·       Familiarity with best practices in youth programming and inclusivity.

·       Ability to foster strong partnerships with stakeholders, including donors and community organizations.

·       Aptitude for addressing challenges and ensuring program quality.

·       Flexibility to navigate dynamic nonprofit environments.

·       Sensitivity to diverse populations and commitment to equitable programming.

Qualifications

·       8 years of experience working in program management.

·       5 years leadership experience and managing teams, including staff and volunteers.

·       Experience working with youth in grades 3-8, counselling, social work, youth development, or teaching experience preferred.

·       Demonstrated success in designing, scaling, and evaluating community programs.

·       Proficiency in data analysis and familiarity with program management software and automation tools.

·       Knowledge of youth development principles and safety standards.

·       Available between 2-6pm most weekdays during the school year, with reliable transportation.

·       Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Education, Social Work, or a related field preferred.

·       Spanish proficiency preferred.

This is an exempt, salaried position offering a compensation range of $75,000 - $85,000 annually, depending on experience. In addition, GOTR Georgia is proud to provide staff members with meaningful benefits, including: $350 per month to go towards competitive medical plans, 100% employer-paid dental and vision insurance, simple IRA plan with up to 3% match, paid holidays and PTO (20 days/160 hours for vacation, sick, personal time), $750 per fiscal year for professional development, and $150 annual clothing allowance for Girls on the Run apparel. This position is hybrid, requiring at least 2 days per week in office. 

Salary : $75,000 - $85,000