Senior Program Director - Lake Street Works

About Urban Ventures

Urban Ventures is a faith-based, nonprofit organization with the mission to educate children, strengthen their families, and build a healthy community. We partner with families in some of the most under-resourced neighborhoods of south Minneapolis with one overarching goal-to send every youth to college or some form of post-secondary education. Urban Ventures is committed to providing a workplace which promotes diversity and inclusion.

Job Summary

Lake Street Works (LSW) is Urban Ventures' workforce development program that equips young adults with the skills, character, and connections needed to launch successful careers in the skilled trades and other high-demand industries.

The director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for LSW, ensuring high-quality student experiences and strong outcomes. This role turns organizational priorities into effective program execution by leading people, managing operations, strengthening partnerships, and driving continuous improvement. The director is a collaborative, highly organized leader who builds systems, develops people, creates accountability, solves problems, and anticipates future program needs while maintaining excellence in daily execution.

A member of the Senior Directors Team

This role will be part of the Senior Director Team at Urban Ventures. The Senior Director at Urban Ventures is responsible for overseeing and managing the organization's programs. In addition to direct program management, the Senior Director provides leadership, supervision, and accountability for assigned directors, ensuring high-quality execution and alignment with organizational priorities.

Working closely with the Executive Leadership Team and fellow Senior Directors, this role helps shape and implement program strategy that emphasizes our commitment to participant-centered service, a culture of excellence and care among staff, and the achievement of measurable outcomes that drive forward Urban Ventures’ mission, vision, and Big Goal.

As a key organizational leader, the Senior Director plays a critical role in influencing high-level programmatic decisions, fostering cross-departmental collaboration, and championing innovation and continuous improvement across all areas of responsibility.

As a Senior Director, you will:

• Provide direct leadership, supervision, and support to assigned program leaders and staff, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and collaboration.
• Lead hiring, onboarding, training, and professional development efforts for program staff, ensuring clear role expectations and alignment with Urban Ventures’ values.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide ongoing coaching and feedback to support continuous growth and development.
• Ensure program leads are equipped to effectively lead their teams by providing clear direction, performance support, and development opportunities.
• Facilitate weekly team meetings to promote accountability, communication, and cross-program collaboration.
• Identify challenges and lead timely, informed problem-solving and decision-making that supports organizational goals.
• Establish and monitor measurable program goals and key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring consistent progress and impact across all programs.
• Oversee accurate and timely data entry in Salesforce and other systems to support evaluation and reporting needs.
• Collaborate with program leads on annual budgeting processes; monitor ongoing adherence to financial guidelines and procedures.
• Partner with Advancement staff and actively participate in fundraising efforts to support program sustainability and growth.
• Uphold and model Urban Ventures’ mission, faith-based values, and policies, including safety standards and organizational procedures.
• Perform additional duties as assigned in support of Urban Ventures.

Key Responsibilities (LSW)

Leadership, Management & Accountability

• Provide overall leadership for the Lake Street Works program, ensuring alignment with Urban Ventures' mission, strategic priorities, and organizational values.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and excellence.
• Provide leadership and direction for volunteers serving within Lake Street Works, and ensure volunteers are effectively trained, supported, and integrated into program activities.
• Lead daily operations of the Lake Street Works program, ensuring high-quality implementation across all program components.

Strategic Planning & Program Development

• Develop and implement annual program goals aligned with Urban Ventures' strategic priorities.
• Evaluate program performance using goals and identify opportunities to improve quality, efficiency, and participant outcomes.
• Collaborate with organizational leadership on long-range planning and continuous improvement initiatives.

Operations & Program Excellence

• Ensure operational systems, processes, and procedures support efficient program delivery.
• Monitor enrollment, student engagement, attendance, retention, completion, and placement outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Enrollment Lead and other staff to ensure strong recruitment, onboarding, and student support.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, grant requirements, and program standards.
• Solve operational challenges proactively and implement systems that improve efficiency.

Finance & Administration

• Approve expenditures and monitor purchasing within budget guidelines.
• Maintain accurate documentation and administrative records.
• Collaborate with Finance and Advancement teams on budget planning and reporting.

Data, Evaluation & Grant Reporting

• Establish systems for collecting accurate program data and outcomes.
• Analyze program performance using key metrics to drive decision-making.
• Provide timely reports and outcome data for grants, funders, board reporting, and organizational leadership.
• Ensure grant compliance and adherence to organizational financial policies.
• Utilize program evaluation findings to improve participant outcomes and program effectiveness.

Industry & Community Partnerships

• Build and maintain strong relationships with construction employers, unions, apprenticeship programs, technical colleges, and workforce partners.
• Represent Lake Street Works within the community and construction industry.
• Develop opportunities for internships, work experiences, job shadowing, mentorships, and employment placement.

Qualifications

Required

• Five or more years of progressive leadership experience managing programs and supervising staff.
• Demonstrated success leading teams and developing people.
• Strong operational and organizational leadership skills.
• Experience managing budgets and administrative systems.
• Experience using data to improve program outcomes.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to youth development and Urban Ventures' mission.

Preferred

• Experience in workforce development, career pathways, or youth employment programs.
• Understand construction trades, apprenticeship systems, or skilled trades industry.
• Experience working with grants and outcome reporting.
• Experience building partnerships with employers and community organizations.
• Knowledge of Minneapolis workforce systems and postsecondary pathways.