Director of Programs

The Virginia YMCA is seeking a highly motivated, dynamic, team-oriented professional to join our team as Director of Programs!

Job Description

The Virginia YMCA was founded in 1871 and is richly steeped in our core values of Honesty, Caring, Respect, and Responsibility. We are a non-facility YMCA - we do not have a “gym and a swim” - that focuses exclusively on youth leadership programming with a particular specialty in premier civics education and engagement. Our core program, Model General Assembly (MGA), has run continuously since 1948, bringing together high school students from across the state to engage in a Youth Legislature mirroring the Virginia General Assembly. We also provide other civics and leadership programming focusing on the judicial branch and youth leadership. We are the only YMCA in Virginia that focuses solely on Youth and Government civics education programs.

Headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia, the Director of Programs (DP) works closely with and under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer. The DP manages all youth and government programs to ensure continued growth and organizational advancement. Our current programs are Hi-Y and Tri-Y Clubs, commonly known as Youth & Government Clubs across the state, the annual Model General Assembly (MGA), and the annual Model Judiciary Program (MJP). The Director of Programs specializes in working with our volunteer program leaders and youth participants and is an integral part of the Virginia YMCA.

Qualifications

Qualifications and Experience:

• 21 years of age or older
• Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Have extensive experience working with teenagers and educators
• Be able to walk into a room without introduction and speak comfortably in public settings as an advocate for the Virginia YMCA and our programs
• Possess excellent written and oral communication skills without AI support
• Be able to build strong relationships with Volunteers, Advisors, Students, Donors, and Staff
• Be able to develop training curriculum and present it to youth and adults
• Be people oriented and enjoy working and collaborating with others
• Be a quick learner, able to work with a team and independently, and able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Be able to delegate, supervise, and motivate others to achieve our mission and goals
• Demonstratable proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel & Outlook, basic graphic design, website maintenance, and social media management
• Be available to work some weekends and evenings and travel at least 24 days — often overnight — per year
• Be organized and have successful, demonstratable experience planning both small and large events from runway to close-out
• Hold a valid driver license
  
  

Desired Skills And Experience

• Experience working with, or in, a non-traditional YMCA
• Prior work with civics education or youth-focused programs
• Recruitment of and managing relationships with school staff and faculty advisors
• Knowledge of and connections with Virginia’s state government
• Be a Virginia MGA Youth & Government alumnus
• Nonprofit fundraising experience
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervises and manages volunteers, vendors, and program participants
  
  

Driving Responsibilities

• Must have reliable transportation for mileage-reimbursed short trips within a 50-mile radius of our headquarters and be qualified to drive a rental car leased by the Virginia YMCA
  
  

Background Check

• Must meet the minimum requirements as established by the State of Virginia and the Virginia YMCA for past employment, drug screening, department of motor vehicle record, and criminal background checks
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift and/or move tables, chairs, and other equipment
• Must be able to ride in a car for extended periods, walk extended distances in urban areas such as downtown Richmond, and walk up and down stairs
• Ability to work effectively in a variety of environments, both indoors and outdoors
  
  

Essential Functions

Key Responsibilities:

• Recruits advisors and students for Youth and Government clubs and programs
• Maintains relationships with advisors and students at existing clubs and programs
• Coordinates our Model Judiciary Program (MJP) in collaboration with the Young Lawyers Division of the Virginia Bar Association
• Recruits, plans, and executes additional programs throughout the state, as directed
• Works with vendors such as hotels, event centers, and with political leaders to plan for programs and ensure successful execution
• Plans and executes other events such as the annual MGA Officer Retreat and other trainings throughout the year
• Develops leadership trainings and activities to engage with our program youth participants
• Compiles and reports data after each program to evaluate and plan for future events
• Works with CEO on grant funding applications and reporting
• Coordinates program registration, including entering registrations, coordinating the publication of all program materials, creating master housing lists, etc.
• Assists in fundraising efforts as directed by the CEO
• Maintains a friendly, positive, safe, and supportive environment for participants, volunteers, stakeholders, donors, and colleagues
• Attends staff meetings, board meetings, special events, and trainings as required
• Follows the Virginia YMCA personnel policies, practices, emergency procedures, child safety procedures, risk management procedures, etc. as required
  
  

Performs all other duties as assigned by the CEO

Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

None

Required Certifications

None