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Director of Programs
Friends of the Children Boston
http://www.friendsboston.org
Jamaica Plain, MA United States
Operating Budget: $5 - $19.9 million
 Job Type: Administration/Management/Operations, Programs (all mission types)
 Mission Type: Human/Social Services
 
Mission:
Organization: Friends of the Children-Boston (Friends-Boston) is a revolutionary mentoring organization committed to supporting, developing, and fostering high academic achievement and strong character development of children from at-risk and underserved communities to avoid cycles of poverty, abuse or violence and become successful members of society. Friends-Boston provides children who are facing and reacting to risk conditions (Achievers) with a mentor for twelve years, beginning in first grade and continuing through high school graduation. Our ultimate goal is that every Achiever will graduate from high school and continue on to college.
Job Description Summary: Friends-Boston is seeking a dynamic and experienced programmatic leader and content expert to take our work to the next level. The Direct of Programs will manage a staff of eleven full-time employees and seventy interns working with 125 Achievers and families in the coming fiscal year and will create capacity for significant growth of this program in the future. He or she will be the leader and content expert of all current and future programming and will lead the way in helping Friends-Boston to become a leader in the field, combining best practices in mentoring, social work and education to make a real difference for the most vulnerable children.


Position Description:
Job responsibilities:
• Direct current mentoring program with 125 Achievers and Families enrolled in FY 2010. This includes Master Mentors (currently six full-time staff people), Evaluation Manager and working closely with AmeriCorps Program Director to insure quality assurance, safety and appropriate protocols are in place for programmatic success and adherence to AmeriCorps Program standards are followed.
• In partnership with Senior Leadership team, lead and execute vision and strategy for all aspects of Friends-Boston programming.
• Oversee, expand and improve Friends-Boston trainings and supervision to be a leader in the field of mentoring practice.
• Integrate best practices in research from the fields of mentoring, social work and education to make Friends-Boston a leader in the field and to have the greatest impact with Achievers and families as possible.
• Lead Board program and evaluation committee, work with committee members and Senior Management to inform and drive organizational growth and strategy with programmatic and content expertise.
• Create capacity for significant growth and increased impact over the next 3-5 years.
• Drive effective programmatic data collection utilization at a programmatic and organizational level.
• Serve as the external face for Friends-Boston within programmatic circles and as a leader in the field of mentoring creating value-add partnerships with schools of social work and school districts, as well as other community based organizations.
• Work with Friends-Boston team on any applicable fundraising and marketing ventures as your position and expertise are useful.
• Create, recommend and manage all aspects of programmatic budget.

Essential Skills and Attributes/Qualifications:
• Commitment to the mission of Friends-Boston, Achievers and communities we work with.
• Ample experience directly supervising a team of employees; experience with AmeriCorps Programs desirable.
• Experience leading programs and organizations in times of growth and change.
• Relentless commitment to self-improvement as well as leading and managing through example.
• Superb communication skills (written, verbal etc.)
• Some facility and ease with using technology and online tools.
• Content expert in one of the desired fields and ability to bring best practices to “on the ground” work on a daily basis.
• Expertise in data gathering and analytics, experience with Efforts to Outcomes or a similar data system desirable
• Experience and skill in working with Board Committees
• Experience working with or in public school settings and with schools or social work desirable.


Qualifications:
Education and experience requirements:
• Required: LICSW; or MA or PhD in education or social work preferred
• Five-seven years experience with staff management, working/volunteering with children, and experience managing AmeriCorps programs desired.
• Strong record of proven leadership in social sector and in social work, mentoring or education.
• Salary commensurate with experience.


 
How To Apply:
Please e-mail cover letter and resume to opportunities@friendsboston.org.