Director of Programs

Overview - About Latino U College Access (LUCA)

Latino U College Access (LUCA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making college dreams a reality for first-generation youth. We empower students and their families with the knowledge and support needed to navigate the college application process, access financial aid, and succeed in higher education. LUCA combines cultural relevance, bilingualism, and strategic programming to bridge the opportunity gap and advance equity in education.

LUCA is seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Programs to join our leadership team. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic leader with proven team management and college access experience to support the future growth of LUCA’s signature programs. The Director of Programs will lead all programmatic efforts, collaborate closely with the Executive Director, and partner with a high-performing team to advance LUCA’s mission. This role provides leadership to 8 staff members and ensures the delivery of impactful programs that exceed the expectations of students, families, community stakeholders, and corporate partners.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Strategic Development

• Lead LUCA’s Program Team to design, implement, and evaluate high-quality, culturally relevant college access and success programs.
• Develop and execute strategic plans to expand programs and increase impact, ensuring alignment with LUCA’s mission and strategic goals.
• Identify and develop new programs and enhance existing components to achieve organizational goals and meet community needs.
• Build thought leadership in emerging practice areas in College Access and College Success.

Team Leadership and Development

• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of 8 staff members, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence.
• Recruit, develop, and retain talented team members, empowering them to elevate their performance and grow professionally.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide feedback and coaching to support staff development.

Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with education partners, community organizations, and corporate partners to enhance program reach and impact.
• Manage new and existing corporate partnerships to deliver career readiness programming and provide students with professional development opportunities.
• Collaborate with school partners to ensure seamless program implementation and to adapt programs to meet evolving student needs.

Program Evaluation and Reporting

• Support the Executive Director in program assessments and evaluations to drive data-informed decisions and continuous program improvement.
• Lead program reporting efforts, ensuring timely and accurate data collection and analysis to demonstrate program outcomes and impact.
• Collaborate with the Director of Advancement to contribute to grant proposals and fulfill funding reporting requirements.

Collaboration and Communication

• Actively participate in team knowledge sharing, program reporting, and communications to maintain transparency and alignment across the organization.
• Communicate program updates and impact effectively to internal and external stakeholders, including funders, partners, and the Board of Directors.
• Represent LUCA at community events, conferences, and public speaking engagements as a thought leader in college access and success.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Graduate degree in management, higher education, or related fields preferred.
• 10 years of nonprofit experience preferred, with at least 4 years in a team management role leading program development and implementation.
• Proven track record in recruiting, developing, and retaining high-performing teams, with a leadership style that empowers and motivates staff.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complex challenges and drive innovative solutions.
• Excellent organizational skills, detail-oriented, with the ability to multitask and manage changing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred but not required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the confidence to present to diverse audiences both in-person and virtually.
• Strong collaborator who thrives in team settings and actively engages with community members, corporate partners, and educational leaders.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse constituents, including high school students, parents, community organizations, and corporate executives.
• Mastery and comfort with technology, including Google Suite, PowerPoint, Excel, and Salesforce (or other CRM platforms).
• Flexibility for evenings or weekends to deliver programming as required, either in-person or virtually via Zoom.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to and passion for LUCA’s mission.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• White Plains, NY 10603 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• White Plains, NY 10603: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in White Plains, NY 10603

Salary : $90,000 - $100,000