Urban Upbound Jobs-Plus Program Director

Background:

Founded in 2004, the mission of Urban Upbound is to provide residents of public housing neighborhoods the tools and resources needed to achieve economic mobility and self-sufficiency, and to break cycles of poverty. Urban Upbound advances its mission through five integrated programs: employment services, financial counseling, youth development/college and career access, the Urban Upbound Federal Credit Union, and community revitalization services.

Jobs-Plus is a proven place-based employment program designed to increase the earnings and employment of working age public housing residents. Jobs-Plus uses a three-pronged approach which includes: employment-related services; financial incentives that make work pay; and community supports for work to strengthen the social ties among residents and community stakeholders in order to support residents’ job preparation and work efforts. Urban Upbound runs two Jobs-Plus sites, one in Astoria and the other one in East Harlem, and we are opening a third Jobs-Plus site in Long Island City, dedicated to serve the Queensbridge and Ravenswood communities.

Position Description:

Reporting to the Senior Director of Programs and Development, the Jobs-Plus Program Director is responsible for the overall operation of the Jobs-Plus site. The Program Director handles all contractual matters for the program and provides strategic direction and leadership. In collaboration with the Assistant Director, who is a direct report, the Program Director hires staff, creates monthly goals, and implements modifications based on emerging needs to ensure program excellence and innovation.

Whereas we live and work in a progressively more digital world, a high level of creativity and a drive to innovate are key requirements for this role.

Working alongside the Urban Upbound executive team, the Program Director will manage Jobs-Plus budgets, oversee overall community engagement strategy and program development, evaluate the program qualitatively and quantitatively, train staff and foster their professional growth, and set a welcoming, community-oriented tone that is critical to work culture and the program’s success.

Additionally, the Program Director will participate in and successfully complete the 45-hour financial counselor training that was developed by the NYC Office of Financial Empowerment in conjunction with CUNY.

Responsibilities:

● Develop and execute annual Jobs-Plus strategic operational plans, building on Urban Upbound’s existing efforts and accomplishments in workforce development, financial empowerment, and community-support-for-work programming

● Directly supervise the Jobs-Plus Assistant Director, who is responsible for daily operations and staff supervision at the Jobs-Plus site

● Strategize and modify existing program components in response to emerging community needs

● Develop virtual programming that is culturally relevant and sensitive to enhance current service delivery

● Strengthen current relationships with existing community stakeholders and develop new partnerships

● Hire, train and support program staff

● Create monthly goals for all staff relating to the attainment of Jobs-Plus contractual performance goals and expectations

● Liaise with the NYC Human Resource Administration and all Jobs Plus partner agencies

● Manage the budget relating to the Jobs-Plus Program in collaboration with the Urban Upbound executive team

● Collaborate with the Urban Upbound Data and Evaluation Manager to evaluate the program’s impact quantitatively and qualitatively

● Coordinate with other directors and other programs the delivery of wraparound services and foster a wholistic approach to service delivery that integrates not only Urban Upbound programming but also building bridges with other local service providers

● Other tasks as emerging needs and priorities develop for the organization

Qualifications:

● Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management, Public Administration or a related field strongly preferred

● Minimum of 5 years providing programmatic and contractual oversight in a similar workforce development program, preferably on a performance-based contract

● In-depth knowledge and understanding of the Jobs-Plus model as a tool to improve the lives of public housing residents through workforce development, financial empowerment, and community-support-for-work frameworks

● Ability to pursue innovation creatively, adapt and learn from others, and think strategically

● Passion for social justice and drive to create change

● Experience managing partnerships with employers, community organizations, and other key stakeholders

● Experience overseeing program evaluation and outcome management

● Enthusiasm working in a community-based setting

● Ability to work as a team, multi-task, and maintain positive relationships with staff, Urban Upbound executive management, and other key stakeholders

● Written and verbal communication skills are clear, concise, and applicable to all audiences

● Comfortability in a leadership role and sense of humor is a must

● Flexibility to work some evenings and Saturdays

● Bilingual Spanish preferred; other languages are a plus.

Urban Upbound is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds. To apply for this position, please email your resume and a cover letter to npeterson@urbanupbound.org. We will be conducting interviews in a rolling basis.