Deputy Program Director

JOB: Deputy Program Director

STATUS: Exempt, Full time

REPORTS TO: Program Director

ANNUAL SALARY: $100,000

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Friends of the Children Austin is one of the fastest growing chapters of a more than 30-year-old national professional mentoring organization. Our model is proven to break the cycle of generational poverty. We provide professional, full-time, salaried mentors to youth in our community who are facing the greatest obstacles, from kindergarten through high school graduation. 12+ years, no matter what.

Why You'll Love Working Here

If you're looking for an opportunity to join a team with an energetic, whatever-it-takes approach that strives for excellence, here's what we offer:  

• A culture that values diverse backgrounds, professional development, and every employee's contributions.
• A healthy respect for work-life balance—you'll work hard, have fun, and be encouraged to recharge.
• A collaborative, mission-driven team that values innovation, excellence, and continuous improvement.
• An engaged Board of Directors and Advisory Boards who actively champion our mission and fundraising efforts.
• Experienced, supportive leadership committed to mentoring and professional growth.

Our Benefits

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Three weeks paid vacation.
• Two weeks paid sick leave.
• Paid office closure between Christmas and New Year's Day.
• SIMPLE IRA with up to 3% employer match.

Are you ready to use your skills to make an impact in the Austin community? See the position details below.

About the role  

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by individuals assigned to this position.  They are not intended as a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified:

We are excited to offer an opportunity for the role of Deputy Program Director.

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Deputy Program Director (DPD) serves as the designated successor to the Program Director (PD) and, under the direct supervision and mentorship of the PD, will progressively assume responsibility for all aspects of program leadership during an approximately one fiscal year transition period. During this time, the DPD will develop the knowledge, relationships, and leadership necessary to independently fulfill the responsibilities of the PD while providing increasing operational leadership across the program.

The PD exhibits perseverance and an entrepreneurial spirit in their pursuit of establishing and growing the Friends of the Children Program in Austin. The PD is responsible for the management of programming for Friends of the Children Austin (Friends Austin), including designing, coordinating, implementing, and sustaining programming, as well as guiding program research, proposal generation, and delivering presentations to stakeholders as required. The PD is also responsible for supervising, guiding, developing, and evaluating the efforts of the Program team, and for the overall integrity of the Program. The PD is responsible for coordinating, implementing, and sustaining the child identification and selection process, and for the overall cultivation and maintenance of relationships with schools, families, and key community members.

The PD is a member of the senior management team and is expected to keep other members of senior management informed about the status of the Program. The PD is expected to interact constructively and proactively with members of the community, with partner schools and, when asked by the Executive Director, with potential donors and other third parties.

DEPUTY PROGRAM DIRECTOR DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Be a full-time Friend to one child.
• Develop the knowledge and leadership necessary to inspire, develop, and evaluate the efforts of the Program team.
• Work alongside the PD in serving as a role model and mentor for Program team members and assume responsibility for ensuring that they have the resources necessary to perform their jobs.
• Partner with the PD in overseeing the performance of the Program team and assume responsibility for conducting annual performance appraisals for all direct reports.
• Develop the knowledge and leadership skills necessary to hold Program team members accountable for work performance (adequacy of time spent with youth; quality, and diversity of activities with youth; and administrative/reporting responsibilities), progressively assuming responsibilities for these functions under the guidance of the PD. 
• Actively participate with the senior management team, under the guidance of the PD, while developing the knowledge and experience necessary to progressively assume leadership responsibilities related to strategic planning; budget development and monitoring; and organizational decision-making and policy implementation.
• Work alongside the PD to develop the knowledge necessary to assume responsibility for designing and implementing initial Friends training, ongoing training and required performance improvement activities.
• Develop a thorough understanding of the needs and issues of the families served and progressively assume responsibility for ensuring Roadmaps , Transition Plans, and other youth development expectations have been met.
• Participate in monthly Program Manager meetings and co-facilitate Friends staff meetings, progressively assuming leadership of these meetings under the guidance of the PD.
• Partner with the PD in overseeing the implementation and adherence to the Program Fidelity Agreement .
• Participate in regular Network PD meetings alongside the PD and develop relationships with National and other chapters of Friends of the Children.
• Work alongside the PD to research, develop, implement, and sustain best practice programming to serve current and future needs of the organization as required.
• Learn and progressively assume responsibility for managing the child identification and selection process, including developing and sustaining a robust, formalized process, and training and supervising process participants.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with partner schools and community selection partners to allow for effective program implementation and sustainability. Design and implement regular trainings for new staff on established referral partners, and monitor referral partners’ Program Manager assignments. 
• Utilize program data while developing the knowledge necessary to progressively assume responsibility for developing, implementing, and sustaining enrichment activities and program excellence.
• Be relentlessly committed to ensuring that youth reach their long-term outcomes.
• Work with the PD and Executive Director to develop the knowledge to assume responsibility for ensuring compliance with budgets and program guidelines.
• Maintain connection and communication with all school districts, charter schools, and private schools that our youth attend to facilitate and support access.
• Shadow the supervision and development of activities, the utilization of data and decisions made for literacy efforts and 2Gen services.
• Partner with the PD in overseeing the recruiting, selection, and hiring of new Friends and other staff as required, progressively assuming responsibility for these functions.
• Develop trusting, supportive relationships with families and guardians of the youth we serve, progressively assuming responsibility for cultivating and maintaining these relationships under the guidance of the PD.
• Partner with the PD in overseeing the resolution of critical issues that arise with youth.

ADDITIONAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR DUTIES:

• Develop the knowledge necessary to progressively assume responsibility for ensuring the quality, integrity, and timely entry of program data.
• Develop the knowledge and leadership necessary to progressively assume responsibility for ensuring compliance with and accountability to the organization’s policies, procedures, and practices as outlined in the Employee Manual and Friends Handbook . Contribute to the development of these as required under the guidance of the PD.
• Develop the knowledge and leadership necessary to understand and inspire others to buy into the organization’s mission, vision, values, and principles, and be able to articulate the organization’s function.
• Work alongside the PD in serving as an effective and compelling spokesperson for the organization, progressively assuming responsibility for representing the organization in this capacity.
• Attend all Board meetings with the PD, present as appropriate, and progressively assume responsibility for program reporting and presentations.
• Work in Friends Austin office at least three days a week.
• Under the guidance of the PD, develop, implement, and oversee other projects as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISES:

• Progressively assumes supervisory responsibility for the Senior Program Manager, the Program Managers, the Family Engagement Specialist, and the Literacy Project Manager (currently eight direct reports).

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND ABILITIES

• Fully bilingual in English and Spanish (written and verbal).
• Bachelor’s degree required and a postgraduate degree or at least seven years of professional social work experience required.
• Seven to ten years’ experience working with child-related programs.
• Three to five years in a leadership or management role with a history of delivering measurable improvements in organizational performance while advancing positive outcomes for children.
• Experience navigating the foster care system.
• Knowledge of special education and bilingual education systems, including experience collaborating with schools and empowering families to advocate for students' educational needs.
• Knowledge of child development and child needs, particularly those relevant to program youth.
• Awareness of community resources, and the ability to independently initiate, cultivate, and sustain relationships with these resources.
• Reliable transportation with a private vehicle.

Friends of the Children Austin is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to addressing discriminatory practices. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends of the Children Austin provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants. Friends of the Children Austin hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.

When applying, it is a good practice to check your spam or junk mail folder to be sure you don't miss an email from us!