Director of Programs

The Director of Programs is African Bridge Network’s program leader and a member of the organization’s leadership team. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Director is responsible for the strategic direction, operational excellence, growth, and long-term impact of ABN’s workforce development programs.

This position oversees ABN’s program portfolio, supports six high-performing staff, strengthens employer and community partnerships, ensures financial and grant compliance, and builds the systems necessary to scale programs that improve career opportunities for internationally trained professionals.

Reports to: Executive Director

Schedule: Full-Time (40 hours)

Location: Hybrid, Greater Boston (approximately two days per week in person)

Expected Start: September 15, 2026

Why This Role Matters

African Bridge Network is entering one of the most significant periods of growth in its history. Existing workforce programs are expanding while new initiatives are being developed in healthcare, clean energy, financial services, life sciences, and other high-demand industries.

The Director of Programs will help shape this next chapter by building the people, systems, partnerships, and program infrastructure that will enable ABN to expand its impact throughout Massachusetts.

This is an opportunity to build an organization—not simply manage existing programs.

Primary Responsibilities

Provide strategic and operational leadership for ABN’s workforce development programs from design through implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities include:

• Leading the design, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of ABN’s workforce development programs while ensuring high-quality participant experiences, measurable outcomes, and clearly connected career pathways.
• Translating organizational priorities into annual program plans, measurable goals, implementation timelines, staffing priorities, quality standards, and continuous improvement initiatives that respond to participant needs and labor-market demand.
• Ensuring that ABN’s programs remain mission-aligned, financially responsible, operationally effective, and positioned for sustainable growth.

Build and Lead a High-Performing Program Team

Develop an accountable, collaborative, and mission-driven program department capable of supporting ABN’s continued growth.

Responsibilities include:

• Supervising, coaching, and developing up to six program staff through clear expectations, measurable performance goals, regular feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Building effective structures, workflows, decision-making processes, and cross-functional collaboration across Programs, Operations, Development, Finance, and Communications.
• Recruiting, onboarding, and supporting future staff, volunteers, career advisors, mentors, and trainers while fostering a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and participant-centered service.

Strengthen Employer and Community Partnerships

Develop strategic partnerships that improve participant outcomes and expand career opportunities.

Responsibilities include:

• Building and managing relationships with employers, workforce boards, colleges, government agencies, credentialing organizations, and community partners that contribute to participant recruitment, career advancement, and program quality.
• Convening employer advisory groups, facilitating partnership meetings, representing ABN at external events, and translating employer feedback and labor-market intelligence into program improvements.
• Monitoring employer engagement, participant hiring outcomes, referral partnerships, and other performance indicators that strengthen organizational impact.

Drive Organizational Performance Through Data, Financial Stewardship, and Continuous Improvement

Develop the systems that enable ABN to make informed decisions and demonstrate measurable impact.

Responsibilities include:

• Establishing organization-wide systems for program measurement, participant outcomes, employer engagement, service quality, and long-term career mobility while ensuring accurate and timely data collection through Salesforce and other approved systems.
• Developing dashboards, reports, and performance metrics that support decision-making by staff, leadership, the Board, funders, and community partners.
• Managing program budgets, monitoring grant compliance and expenditures, supporting grant development and reporting, and recommending investments that strengthen program quality and organizational sustainability.

Contribute to Organizational Leadership

Serve as a strategic advisor to the Executive Director and represent ABN throughout the workforce development community.

Responsibilities include:

• Participating in organizational planning, helping establish annual priorities, identifying opportunities for growth, and contributing to organization-wide decision-making.
• Representing ABN with employers, funders, policymakers, community organizations, and other stakeholders while serving as the Executive Director’s designee when appropriate.
• Strengthening collaboration across departments and advancing initiatives that increase ABN’s organizational capacity and long-term impact.

Success During the First Year

The Director of Programs will be expected to:

• Build a high-performing program team with clear accountability, strong collaboration, and consistent performance expectations.
• Strengthen program quality, participant outcomes, employer engagement, and community partnerships across ABN’s program portfolio.
• Implement practical systems for performance measurement, financial stewardship, grant compliance, and organizational reporting.
• Position ABN’s programs for responsible growth by improving operational systems, expanding strategic partnerships, and supporting the organization’s long-term vision.

Qualifications

Required

• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience leading workforce development, nonprofit, education, or career pathway programs, including at least three years supervising staff or leading a major program function.
• Demonstrated success designing, implementing, evaluating, and improving workforce programs with measurable participant outcomes, strong employer engagement, and data-informed decision-making.
• Experience developing strategic partnerships with employers, educational institutions, workforce boards, government agencies, and community organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multiple initiatives simultaneously, manage competing priorities, develop staff, communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, and operate with significant independence.
• Strong commitment to economic mobility, immigrant communities, and culturally responsive leadership.

Preferred

• Experience serving internationally trained professionals or other immigrant communities
• Experience managing grant-funded initiatives and program budgets
• Experience working with Salesforce or comparable CRM systems
• Salary: $75,000–$90,000 , commensurate with experience.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave in accordance with ABN policies.
• Hybrid work environment with approximately two in-person days each week.
• Occasional evening and weekend responsibilities for employer, community, and organizational events.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and a cover letter describing your approach to program leadership and interest in ABN’s mission to Maddy Crudele at View email address on click.appcast.io with the subject line “Director of Programs Application – [Applicant Name].” Applications are due by August 31, 2026.

About African Bridge Network

African Bridge Network is a Massachusetts-based nonprofit workforce development organization that helps internationally trained professionals rebuild their careers and access quality employment. Through career pathways, certification programs, fellowships, employer partnerships, and workforce innovation, ABN connects skilled immigrant talent with opportunities in healthcare, technology, clean energy, financial services, life sciences, and other high-demand sectors.

As ABN continues to expand its statewide impact, the Director of Programs will play a central role in building the organizational systems, partnerships, and program excellence needed to advance economic mobility for internationally trained professionals.

About Us

We envision a day when the skills of immigrant professionals are highly valued and they can use their past experiences to build their careers, support their families, and make meaningful contributions to our society.

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