Early Literacy Program Director

Early Literacy Program Director

Why Forward Scholars? Join a program & team that is working to dismantle the opportunity gap and provide literacy access for all students. Every child has the human right to be literate.

Role Mission: Cultivate and sustain a high-performing team committed to delivering transformative reading instruction that accelerates growth and positively changes the lives of young learners in Milwaukee.

Role Responsibilities & Team Contributions

The Program Director will support the following core areas of work while also contributing flexibly to team and organizational needs:

• Build a mission-aligned, high performing reading team:
• Lead the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and ongoing training of Site Coordinators
• Supervise, coach, and support Site Coordinators who are responsible for leading individual tutoring sites
• Conduct regular site visits, formal observations, and performance evaluations of Site Coordinators, assessing program fidelity, stakeholder satisfaction, data compliance, and student outcomes
• Collect and analyze data to demonstrate the impact of coaching and program implementation
• Support the SC Team and Team Lead with creating professional development
• Facilitate site coverage for Site Coordinators during PTO, site visits, and professional learning time
• Create external conditions for success in reading instruction:
• Collaborate with school principals, teachers, and district liaisons to coordinate schedules, secure resources, and maximize student impact
• Ensure that Site Coordinators and volunteers have the basic material resources they need to deliver an effective program
• Partner with the independent data analyst to develop assessment timelines and monitor assessment completion and progress
• Support invoicing and communication with educational partners
• Attend events to raise the visibility of Forward Scholars and bring in critical resources
• Foster a collaborative, growth-centered team culture:
• Work collaboratively with the Forward Scholars team to identify opportunities for growth, improvement, and innovation
• Model a growth mindset, adaptability, professionalism, and positive relationship-building with all staff
• Communicate openly and honestly with the Executive Director and Forward Scholars team recognizing that every team member’s voice and perspective matter

Essential Qualifications

• Education : 1. Masters in Reading/Literacy/Administrative leadership AND 2. Reading Teacher License or Reading Specialist License
• Experience & Leadership : Minimum of 3 years of program management and supervisory experience in early elementary education or early literacy programs, including demonstrated success training, coaching, managing, and evaluating on-site staff
• Literacy Expertise : Strong understanding of early childhood literacy, reading assessment tools, intervention strategies, and the science of reading instruction
• Communication : Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to build relationships with diverse community stakeholders, school partners, and families
• Urban work experience and a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion
• Fierce belief in every student’s ability to succeed and asset-based thinker who removes barriers to learning

Preferred Qualifications

• Reading Specialist License
• Five or more years of experience in reading-focused educational roles, such as instructional coach, reading specialist, and/or program leadership
• Spanish/English bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply
• Representation matters; candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply

Pay & Benefits

• 12 month salaried position including paid federal holidays and an additional 4 weeks of vacation time (20 days)
• $85,000-$95,000 based on professional and educational experience
• Health Care stipend, Dental insurance, Retirement stipend
• A collaborative, supportive, caring work environment
• Leaving work every day knowing that you’re part of a high-impact program where kids are learning to read and believe in themselves!

Interested in Applying? Send a cover letter, resume, and two letters of recommendation to Dr. Carrie Streiff-Stuessy, Executive Director, at View email address on jobs.institutedata.com.

Pay: $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person