Grant Project Director

Grant Project Director � 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC)

Organization: College Achieve Public Schools

District: College Achieve Paterson Charter School

Location: Paterson, NJ

Reports to: Head of School
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $70,000

Position Overview

College Achieve Paterson Charter is seeking a highly organized, collaborative, and results-oriented Grant Project Director to oversee the implementation and administration of its 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program.

The Project Director is responsible for managing the educational program and budget outlined in the approved grant application and ensuring that all programmatic, fiscal, reporting, and compliance requirements are fulfilled in accordance with New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) expectations and established grant timelines.

The successful candidate will provide strong programmatic leadership, coordinate multiple stakeholders, supervise program staff, monitor implementation and outcomes, and maintain the systems and documentation necessary to support a high-quality and compliant program.

Essential Responsibilities

Program Implementation & Grant Management

• Lead the implementation of the 21st CCLC program in alignment with the approved grant application, program goals, and NJDOE requirements.
• Monitor program activities to ensure services are implemented effectively and in accordance with the approved program design.
• Oversee the program budget and monitor expenditures to ensure funds are appropriately utilized and aligned with the approved application.
• Ensure all grant deliverables, requirements, and timelines are met.
• Complete and submit required programmatic, fiscal, and other reports to the NJDOE by established deadlines.
• Support implementation of the program's sustainability plan and identify opportunities to strengthen long-term program capacity.

Program Operations & Compliance

• Maintain accurate and complete participant files, program forms, licenses, and other required documentation.
• Develop, implement, and maintain program attendance policies, procedures, and calendars.
• Develop and maintain required health, safety, and emergency plans and corresponding documentation.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, district, and grant requirements.
• Maintain systems and processes that support consistent documentation, monitoring, and program accountability.

Data, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure compliance with all program evaluation and data-reporting requirements.
• Oversee timely and accurate data entry into required federal and state data-collection systems.
• Collaborate with program evaluators and other stakeholders to monitor program performance and outcomes.
• Review program data and other evidence to identify areas for improvement and support continuous program development.

Staff Leadership & Supervision

• Supervise Site Coordinators, administrative staff, program volunteers, and other designated personnel.
• Establish clear expectations for program staff and monitor performance and implementation.
• Coordinate and facilitate program orientation for staff, parents, students, volunteers, and other key program personnel.
• Ensure individuals serving as volunteers are appropriately qualified and that all required volunteer documentation is completed and maintained.
• Support staff development and promote consistent implementation of program expectations across program sites.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Meet regularly with Site Coordinators, teachers, partners, collaborators, evaluators, administrative staff, and other key stakeholders.
• Coordinate 21st CCLC Advisory Board meetings and support meaningful stakeholder participation in program planning and implementation.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with families, community organizations, program partners, school personnel, and other stakeholders.
• Facilitate communication among program participants and partners to ensure alignment around program goals and expectations.

Professional Responsibilities

• Attend all mandatory NJDOE Project Director meetings.
• Participate in required professional development, technical assistance sessions, and trainings.
• Remain informed of applicable 21st CCLC regulations, guidance, reporting expectations, and program requirements.
• Perform additional responsibilities related to the successful implementation and administration of the 21st CCLC program as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Demonstrated experience in education, youth development, program administration, grant-funded programming, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating programs, projects, or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate documentation and comply with established policies, procedures, and reporting requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with technology and data-management systems.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, families, educators, community partners, administrators, and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in education, educational leadership, public administration, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Previous experience managing a federal or state grant-funded program.
• Experience with 21st Century Community Learning Centers or other expanded-learning, after-school, or youth-development programs.
• Experience supervising staff and coordinating multiple program sites.
• Experience managing program budgets and monitoring grant expenditures.
• Familiarity with NJDOE requirements, data-reporting systems, and grant-compliance procedures.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong program and project-management skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to interpret and implement grant requirements.
• Sound judgment and effective problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze program data and use findings to support continuous improvement.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and coordinate multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to providing high-quality educational and enrichment opportunities for students.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining consistent communication with organizational leadership and program partners.

About College Achieve Public Schools

College Achieve Public Schools is committed to providing students with access to rigorous educational opportunities that prepare them for success in college and beyond. Our team network and CAPS Paterson teams work collaboratively to create learning environments where students are supported academically, socially, and personally while developing the skills needed for long-term success.

College Achieve Paterson Charter Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.