AMP: Artists' Meeting Place and Resource Collective

from Franklin Furnace

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS

Founded in 1999, Cool Culture is a NYC-based nonprofit that harnesses arts and culture, social justice principles and partnerships with community stakeholders - families, community-based organizations and schools, and cultural institutions - to improve outcomes for economically challenged children and families, and to strengthen communities. Cool Culture’s interdisciplinary work is informed by cultural organizing, family engagement and arts education.

Following a recently completed strategic plan, the Director of Programs role has been newly transformed, and will work closely with the Executive Director to establish the programmatic direction, and to envision, design and enhance programs in alignment with Cool Culture’s mission and core values. The Director will join a highly collaborative, 18-person team committed to social justice and equity.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership:

• In consultation with the Executive Director, develop program models and strategies

that maximize impact and are aligned with the organization’s vision and mission.

Develop strategic partnerships as needed.

• Work with the team to set short and long-term goals and outcomes for all programs.

• Keep abreast of current educational standards, research and models in the field as it

pertains to family involvement, early learning, museum education and community engagement.

• Build and nurture relationships with a broad range of colleagues in these fields to

exchange knowledge and information pertaining to our work, and to identify new

strategic partnerships or opportunities as appropriate.

• Contribute to the visibility of the organization and its programs locally and nationally,

amongst colleagues and potential stakeholders via conference presentations and other

venues to be identified. To this end, collaborate with Communications as well.

Program and Team Management:

• In consultation with the Executive Director, work with the program team to set

outcomes for all programs, align program planning, implementation and evaluation

accordingly

• Provide direct supervision and foster the development of 7 person team consisting of a

director, managers and assistants.

• Create and submit annual program budgets; Manage team’s adherence to budgets,

identifying ways to increase revenues and decrease costs where applicable.

• Manage the program team in ways that optimizes impact and efficiency while nurturing

team members’ growth, development, collaboration, and retention.

.

Collaboration with Development and Communications

• Collaborate with Development, contributing to grant proposals and reports, engaging

stakeholders (e.g. site visits, etc.) as appropriate, and contributing to strategy

conversations. Work with Development to understand their needs for program

outcome and participation

• metrics, and work with the program team to regularly collect and analyze relevant

data, as well as sample materials, impact stories and photo documentation.

• Work with Communications to keep them up-to-date about program development,

outcomes and communication needs. Work with Communications to develop systems

and schedules for collaboration with Program. Assist with prioritizing when necessary.

• Collaborate with Communications to raise the visibility of the organization and its

programs. Contribute material, documentation, and to strategy conversations as

needed.

Qualifications

• At least 7 – 10 years of experience in program development, management and

evaluation, in the area of community engagement/organizing, social work, family

engagement, arts education, museum education or early childhood education

• Experience collaborating with external partners

• Experience managing, supervising and mentoring staff

• Ability to work with diverse constituencies including museum educators, preschool

teachers, and families

• Demonstrated experience handling multiple assignments and deadlines simultaneously

and working in fast-paced environments on tight deadlines

• Excellent organizational ability, attention to detail and accuracy a must

• Strong communication skills – oral and written

• An evangelist for issues of educational equity, arts and social justice, with a strengthsbased

approach to family engagement.

• Flexibility and sense of humor strongly preferred

• Availability to work full-time including occasional weekend days and evenings

• Degree in education, social work or related field a plus.

HOW TO APPLY

This position includes an excellent benefits package. To apply, please submit (1) resume, (2)

development writing sample (3) salary requirements, and (4) the answers to all five questions

listed below to: Candice Anderson, Executive Director, hr@coolculture.org.

a. Tell us about a time when you successfully managed either a large-scale initiative or

change (within an organization, or team you lead). What were the outcomes? Key

learnings? 300 words max.

b. The Director of Programs position will entail a wide range of responsibilities, including working very collaboratively with multiple team members within Cool Culture, as well as with a range of external stakeholders. Your work will be absolutely critical to Cool Culture's success and will include contributing to thought leadership, and building leadership amongst members of the program team, providing structure and support to channel innovation while ensuring high quality execution of programs in alignment with the organizations mission, vision and core values. What makes this sort of role the right investment for you to make in your career at this time? 200 words max

c. Describe your leadership style and your approach to management. 200 words max

d. Have you directly managed a full-time staff member in the past? (This does not include

interns and/or volunteers) Please briefly describe your people management experience. 100

words max

e. OPTIONAL. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself or your

candidacy for this role? Feel free to provide links.

Cool Culture is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and People of Color are strongly

encouraged to apply.

No phone calls please. Feel free to visit us on the web at www.coolculture.org.