Programs Director

Blue Sky Fund is a local Richmond non-profit based in Church Hill. Our mission is to provide transformational experiences for Richmond area youth through outdoor education through two core program areas - academic and adventure.  The Programs Director is an executive leadership role within the organization responsible for the oversight, development, and evaluation of our three core programs, which includes a program team of approximately 25 staff.  Under the supervision of the Executive Director (ED), a successful Programs Director will provide leadership across all program operations, strengthen community partnerships, and ensure Blue Sky is adhering to best practices in outdoor education and experiential learning.  

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Oversee training, management, and development of Program Managers, to include:
• Hire and train Program Managers and provide hiring support for hourly program staff
• Regular management meetings
• Ongoing development of Program Handbooks
• Ensure consistent program staff on-boarding and training standards
• Conduct program visits and observations
• Provide staff feedback, evaluation, and corrective action for program staff 
• Oversight of program budget ($650,000) including formation, monitoring, and reporting
• Develop and sustain a collaborative organizational culture/foster a positive and healthy organizational culture and promote Blue Sky Fund’s Operating Principles
• Manage Transportation Coordinator and transportation budget
• Oversee curriculum development across programs including detailed implementation plans and risk management protocols
• Analyze program data and oversee program outcome development, tracking, and reporting - internally and externally 
• Evaluate how to effectively measure shared impact across all programs
• Develop strategies to increase retention from program to program
• Oversee new program development including promotion and implementation
• With the ED, strengthen community partnerships that can best support and complement Blue Sky’s work; establish Blue Sky as a trusted resource in the outdoor education community
• Assist ED and Development and Communications Director with fundraising and development as needed (program visits, funder meetings, speaking engagements, grant review, etc.)

Minimum Job Requirements

• Passion and connection to all aspects of Blue Sky Fund’s mission
• Bachelor’s degree 
• Five years of professional experience in education, program development, non-profit management, or a related field
• Three years of experience working with youth from under-resourced communities
• Three years of experience managing others in a professional setting
• Experience in program or event planning and implementation
• Demonstrated ability to present ideas verbally and in writing, clearly and professionally 
• Strong organizational and time management skills, and the ability to meet deadlines
• Experience in data collection, implementation, & analysis
• Strong relationship building and interpersonal skills with the ability to work well with a diverse group of stakeholders
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Suite (Gmail, Google Drive)
• Ability to participate in outdoor, physical activities during programs such as (but not limited to): hiking, lifting (up to 50 lbs.), playing games, and sports
   

Preferred Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, science, environmental studies or related field
• Demonstrated leadership experience building productive and engaged teams
• Experience with Salesforce or similar database
• Experience with reviewing grant requirements and applications for funding goal alignment
   

Job Benefits:

• Salary range: $52,000-$68,000/year DOE
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits with employer contribution
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
• Professional development stipend
• Partial cell phone stipend
• 14 days of paid time off with annual increases
• 14 paid holidays

Job Details:

• This is a full-time, exempt position based on 40 hours per week, primarily Monday through Friday, with occasional evening and weekend hours in support of the job responsibilities. Position is based in Richmond, Virginia.
• All Blue Sky Fund employees are required to submit proof of up-to-date vaccination against COVID-19. Religious and medical exemptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Anyone granted an exemption will be required to submit a negative COVID-19 test result weekly.

How to apply:

Please fill out an online application on our website: https://blueskyfund.org/get-involved/employment

Priority will be given to applications received by September 8th, 2022. 

Blue Sky Fund is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace in which all participants, employees, volunteers and supporters feel valued and respected.