Senior Director of Sport & Play

Position Title: Senior Director of Sport & Play
Location: Portland Metro Area
Reports to: Chief Impact Officer
Classification: Exempt

Turn the power of play into Great Futures.

A basketball court can be where a child discovers confidence. A team can become a place of belonging. A coach can help a young person recognize strengths they never knew they had.

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro (BGCP), we’re expanding those opportunities through Play 4 Great Futures , our Sport & Play initiative. We’re seeking a Senior Director of Sport & Play who can bring vision, energy, and strong execution to this work—building quality programs while working directly with young people.

If you’re a sports and youth development leader who enjoys coaching kids, developing partnerships, and turning ideas into consistent, engaging experiences, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Your Opportunity

Reporting to the Chief Impact Officer, you will lead the growth and delivery of sports and active-play programming that helps young people build fundamental athletic skills, confidence, teamwork, sportsmanship, and healthy habits.

You’ll oversee Jr. NBA/WNBA programming, strengthen regular active-play opportunities at our Blazers, CareOregon, and Inukai Clubs, and equip staff, coaches, and volunteers to deliver safe, inclusive experiences.

This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on delivery. You’ll build program plans and partnerships, manage resources, coach youth, and provide Club staffing support when needed.

What You’ll Lead

• Engaging sports experiences: Coordinate and deliver Jr. NBA/WNBA clinics that introduce elementary-age youth to basketball fundamentals and the joy of playing together.
• Consistent Club programming: Partner with Club Leadership Teams to integrate sports and active play into programming, adapting activities for different ages, abilities, and experience levels.
• Quality, safety, and inclusion: Establish clear standards and support staff, coaches, and volunteers in positive youth development, appropriate supervision, and effective behavior support.

• Partnerships and participation: Build relationships with sports organizations, schools, coaches, volunteers, and community partners that expand opportunities for youth.
• Strong program operations: Manage scheduling, registration, family communication, equipment, budgets, and participation reporting. Use data and feedback to improve quality and guide sustainable growth.
• Organization-wide support: Provide direct youth supervision and Club coverage as needed, and contribute to special programs, family engagement, and organizational events.

Additional responsibility—Youth Force: Support our teen workforce development efforts by coordinating first-job and internship opportunities, cultivating employer relationships, matching teens with placements, and tracking their progress.

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for someone who pairs a strong connection with young people with the organization and accountability needed to lead across multiple locations.

• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in youth sports, recreation, or youth development, including leadership of programs, staff, coaches, or volunteers.
• Experience developing, delivering, and evaluating sports and active-play programs.
• Ability to teach fundamental athletic skills to elementary-age youth, preferably including basketball.
• A strong understanding of positive youth development, culturally responsive programming, trauma-informed practices, and youth safety.
• Strong skills in scheduling, project management, family communication, partnership development, and program budgeting.
• Ability to use participation data and feedback to strengthen programming.
• Willingness to work directly with youth and provide flexible Club staffing support.
• A bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience will be considered.

Experience supporting teen employment, internships, or employer partnerships is a plus.

A Mission You Can Put Into Motion

Our mission is to empower all young people to discover their full potential, especially those who need us most.

We create welcoming spaces where young people can explore their interests, build skills, and see new possibilities for their futures. Inclusion, diversity, equity, and trauma-informed practices shape how we work with youth, families, and one another. Through Sport & Play, you’ll help ensure that access, encouragement, and belonging are part of every participant’s experience.

Schedule & Requirements

This position requires regular Saturdays, occasional evenings and additional weekends, and travel among Club locations and partner sites. Candidates must meet BGCP’s background screening and youth-safety requirements and hold—or obtain upon hire—CPR and First Aid certification.

Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro at bgcportland.org .