Description:
Job Title: Senior Program Director, Youth Services
FLSA Status: Exempt Date
Prepared: 06/04/2026
Reports to: CEO/Associate Executive Director
Leadership Level: Multi-Team Leader
Department: Early Education, School Age Child Care, and Teen Program
POSITION SUMMARY:
This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Senior Program Director oversees the development and operations of Preschool Early Education and Care, School Age Child Care, Summer Full Day Camp, Teen Program, and other related youth services programs. The Senior Program director designs best practices, processes, and procedures for strong programs focused on positive youth development.
OUR CULTURE:
Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing and we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger, beginning with you.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for Youth Services Department, inclusive of Early Childhood Education, School Age Child Care & Out of School Time Programs, Summer Camp, Teen Drop-In Program, ensuring alignment with YMCA overall strategic plan; support strategic plan objectives in the areas of Youth Sports
2. Develops and manages annual budgets for each area of Youth Services Department to meet or exceed fiscal goals; implements fiscal controls to ensure programs are sustainable; responsible for oversight of all Youth Services billing and collection workflow, working closely with Youth Services Team & Finance Department.
3. Collaborate with CEO and other senior leaders to further strategic plan, policy development, resource allocation, and support interdepartmental needs to foster a positive working culture at our Y.
4. Develops, implements, and manages operating plans to promote program and/or membership growth for the YMCA. Measures progress against strategic goals and ensures continuous program quality improvement.
5. Responsible to develop and implement Youth Services family engagement experiences; responsible for all communications with parents, guardians, and third party organizations relating to Youth Services programs
6. Oversight of recruitment, hiring, training, supervision, performance evaluation and continuing education requirements of all youth Services staff and volunteers in assigned areas.
7. Ensures compliance with state and local regulations and licensing requirements, including but not limited to: municipal regulations, state of MA regulations, EEC, DOL, DCF, etc.
8. Ensure compliance with all Employee Handbook and YUSA safety standards are maintain amongst Youth Services Department
9. Leads and assists with all Youth Services grants and contracts by working collaboratively to develop narratives for applications, fiscal compliance requirements and maintains detailed records for program outcome reporting. Examples of grants and contracts include, but not limited to the following: MA Alliance of YMCA, EEC Income Eligible Contract, Seven Hills, C3, CPPI, DCF, CACFP, Holyoke Public Schools, and corporate and foundational grants
10. Develops and maintains working relationships with state childcare licensing agency, local school administration, local social service organizations and community-based partners; serve as a key collaborator and community leader in the areas of youth services
11. Attend organizational wide signature events; support the culture of philanthropy through development and support of annual and special event fundraising
12. Creates a culture of recognition, rewards, and accountability based on performance goals
Requirements:
LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:
- Communication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y’s cause.
- Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence.
- Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data, and sound judgment.
- Functional Expertise: Executes superior technical skills for the role.
- Innovation: Creates and implements new and relevant approaches and activities that improve and expand the Y’s work and impact in the community.
- Program/Project Management: Ensures program or project goals are met and intended impact occurs.
- Developing Self & Others: Develops self and supports others (e.g., staff, volunteers, members, program participants), both formally and informally, to achieve their highest potential.
- Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in human services, social services, recreation, business, or a related field experience in lieu of college degree.
- YMCA Multi-Team Leader certification, or required to show progress towards certification within 1 year
- Five or more years of program management experience, preferably in a YMCA or other nonprofit agency
- Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, budget management, program management, staff supervision, volunteer management, marketing and public relations
- Strong understanding of best practices in early education, school age child care, youth development, and facilities operations
- Knowledge and previous experience with building and maintain effective relationships with with diverse stakeholders
- Ability to work out of school time and evening hours as needed
- Ability to establish and maintain collaborations with community organizations
- Excellent communications, interpersonal, problem-solving, and decision making skills
- Commitment to the mission, values, and goals of the YMCA
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative and team-oriented environment
- CPR/First Aid Certification within 3 months
- Ability to respond to safety and emergency situations.
- Bilingual Spanish/English preferred
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
o Sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to perform essential functions and to supervise program activities in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor locations
o Required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer, phone, and smart device
o Required to sit and reach
o Lift and move up to 10 pounds
o Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust
o Ability to work in noisy environments
Recruiting Timeline
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Job Posting: 6/10
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Application Deadline: July 13th
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1st Round Interviews: July 20th – 24th
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2nd Round Interviews: July 29th – August 3rd
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3rd Round Interviews: August 10th – August 14th
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Start Date: August 24th
