Director of Student Programs

Title: Director of Student Programs

Reports to: Chief Strategy Officer

Work Location: LaunchPad4U

POSITION SUMMARY: Reporting to the Chief Strategy Officer, the Director of Student Programs will be a highly skilled and dedicated program director responsible for overseeing the implementation of our diverse student-facing initiatives, programs, and resources. The Director of Student Programs will ensure the fidelity, continuous improvement, and operational excellence of our programs by leading a student support team that is focused on achieving desired outcomes and maintaining accountability. The Director will be responsible for executing an implementation plan that aligns with the organization’s overarching programmatic framework and strategic goals, to prepare each and every student for life.

The Director of Student Programs will serve as a contributing member of the Chief Strategy Officer’s team consisting of high-level professionals and will work collaboratively with Sarasota County Schools district and school-based leadership, instructional staff, student services, and other youth serving organizations and partners to support a shared vision to see every student graduate with a college, career and life plan that leads to success. The Director of Student Programs will work closely with the student support team, Chief Strategy Officer and other senior leaders with a strategic mindset to ensure strong design, integration, delivery, and on-gong evaluation of the Foundation’s student programs.

The Director of Student Programs will uphold the Education Foundation of Sarasota County’s mission to enhance the potential of students, promote excellence in teaching, and inspire innovation in education guided by strategic philanthropy.

CURRENT STUDENT INITIATIVES, PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES:

College, Career, and Life Readiness (CCLR) initiative. Launched in 2016, this initiative seeks to create a college, career, and life readiness mindset throughout the K–12 continuum to ensure more students graduate from high school with purpose, prepared to pursue and complete an intentional pathway, with appreciation for the value and necessity of lifelong learning.

Student Success Coaches. Expert, caring individuals provide one-on-one college, career, and life advising to students who most need extra support to get ready for their life after high school. They help students identify their interests and strengths, form a plan, and prepare to achieve it. They work with students in Student Success Centers, virtually, at local libraries, and in high schools, meeting students where they are to provide accessible support.

Student Success Centers. Located in schools or at stand-alone locations, these centers are one-stop shops for college, career, and life planning. Students meet with Student Success Coaches, access laptops and other technology, attend workshops and open houses, and work with their peers to get ready for life after high school.

Resiliency Success Coaches. These school-based coaches work with students most at risk of not graduating high school. They provide coordinated, caring, and expert support to students who need it most, helping them formulate a plan to get back on track; working with parents, teachers, and administrators to set expectations and keep open lines of communication; and providing students with practical assistance that creates hope that they can graduate and do so with a plan for life after high school.

Students Active in Leadership (S.A.I.L) peer-to-peer mentoring. Student leaders in high school hone resiliency and life-readiness skills during regular meetings with a Student Success Coach. They impart these skills to their peers across their school, helping develop a culture of college, career, and life readiness.

Mentoring. A caring adult is paired with a high school junior or senior student and remains with the mentee until that student completes college or specialized training. Our mentors help students, most of whom are first-generation college students, navigate the postsecondary application process, and they continue to support them as they embark on what for many is a completely foreign journey to college or trade school.

Scholarships. A variety of scholarships are available to students who meet the requirements. These scholarships include Jump Start Your Future Scholarships, the In-Demand Career Scholars Program, the Lempe Family Resiliency Scholarship, and the Retsy Lauer Visual Arts College Student Scholarship.

STRIVE Awards. This program recognizes high school juniors and seniors at eight area high schools who have demonstrated resilience, grit, and courage to overcome extraordinary challenges in school and their personal lives, making significant improvements in their strive for success. Students are nominated by their schools and recognized during in-school celebration events. They receive cash awards to help with their education after high school.

Student mental health support. Through a partnership with Telement and Forty Carrots Family Center, our Student Success Coaches and Resiliency Success Coaches can refer students for a free virtual mental health screening through Telement. Students requiring more intensive support are referred to Forty Carrots, where we cover the cost for multi-session therapy.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervision

● Provide oversight, support, and guidance to coaches, program coordinators, and other program staff and/or consultants.

● Ensure a strong culture of collaboration, coherence and support while maintaining accountability for results.

● Provide direct client management to school principals, partner staff, and other key decision-makers involved in our student-facing initiatives.

Fidelity and Continuous Improvement

● Ensure that all programs and initiatives are implemented with fidelity to their intended design and purpose.

● Develop and implement a continuous improvement framework with progress monitoring to identify areas for growth and optimize program effectiveness.

● Collaborate with program staff and stakeholders to refine and enhance programs based on data-driven insights and best practices.

Outcomes and Evidence-Based Practices

● Establish clear, measurable outcomes for each program and initiative.

● Ensure that all programs and practices are evidence-based and research-informed.

● Monitor and evaluate program outcomes regularly, making data-driven decisions to improve impact.

Implementation and Operational Excellence

● Oversee the day-to-day operations of programs and initiatives, ensuring smooth and efficient implementation.

● Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, guidelines, and documentation for all programs.

● Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous learning among program staff.

Data Tracking and Analysis

● Develop and maintain robust data tracking systems to monitor program performance and outcomes.

● Conduct regular data analysis to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.

● Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders.

Accountability and Risk Management

● Ensure that all programs operate in compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and grant requirements.

● Identify and mitigate potential risks to program success and organizational reputation.

● Foster a culture of accountability and transparency among program staff and partners.

Training and Professional Learning

● Develop and implement comprehensive training and professional learning opportunities for program staff.

● Collaborate with subject matter experts to ensure that staff have the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their roles.

● Foster a culture of continuous learning and growth among program staff.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree from an accredited university in education, school counseling, social work, public administration, or a related field.

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in program management, preferably in the education, social human services, government, or nonprofit sector.

• Experience managing teams in an education or youth serving program.

• Experience building teams with a clear and cohesive purpose.

• Proven track record of successful program implementation and outcomes achievement.

• Understanding of the K12 public school structures and culture.

• Knowledge of basic laws, regulations, and best practices for working directly with students.

• Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership abilities.

• Passion for advancing educational equity and student success.

• Strong computer and technology skills

• Bi-lingual a plus.

A resume and cover letter must be included for your application to be reviewed.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $95,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Experience:

• Program management: 7 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Sarasota, FL 34236 (Required)

Work Location: In person