{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"7caaa3f8f63b5b8a32acfdc2","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/7caaa3f8f63b5b8a32acfdc2","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/7caaa3f8f63b5b8a32acfdc2","title":"Program Director","description":"About the Role\nYou Matter 2 is seeking a full-time Program Director to provide strategic, operational, and hands‑on leadership for our youth development programs serving middle and high school students across the South Suburban region. This role is responsible for ensuring programs are high‑quality, consistent, youth‑centered, trauma‑informed, culturally responsive, and aligned with You Matter 2’s mission to foster leadership and personal growth in youth.\n\nThe Program Director will oversee program planning, implementation, staff supervision, program quality, partnerships, family engagement, data tracking, grant compliance, and continuous improvement. This position is ideal for a strong youth development leader who can build systems, support staff, manage details, and work directly with youth, families, schools, and community partners.\n\nPosition Responsibilities\nProgram Leadership & Strategy\n\nProvide overall leadership for You Matter 2’s youth programs, including IGNITE, Discover U, Expressions Unleashed, Teen Night, Study Break on Us, Service Saturday, summer programs, youth leadership experiences, and community‑based initiatives.\n\nLead program planning, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement to ensure consistent, high‑quality delivery.\n\nDevelop, refine, and oversee program models, curricula, schedules, session plans, staffing structures, and participant outcomes.\n\nEnsure programs are aligned with You Matter 2’s mission, strategic goals, youth needs, best practices in youth development, and grant requirements.\n\nSupport program expansion into schools, community sites, partner organizations, and new service areas.\n\nIdentify opportunities to strengthen program quality, deepen youth engagement, and improve participant outcomes.\n\nStaff Management, Supervision & Team Development\n\nSupervise and support Program Leads, facilitators, outreach staff, contractors, interns, and volunteers connected to youth programming.\n\nSupport hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, scheduling, and performance management of program staff and contractors.\n\nProvide ongoing coaching and feedback to strengthen program delivery, classroom/group management, youth engagement, and facilitation quality.\n\nLead or support regular program team meetings, check‑ins, and planning sessions.\n\nFoster a positive, supportive, accountable, and collaborative team culture grounded in You Matter 2’s values.\n\nEnsure appropriate staffing coverage for programs, events, field trips, workshops, and special initiatives.\n\nProgram Operations & Implementation\n\nOversee day‑to‑day program operations, including calendars, schedules, staffing plans, materials, supplies, transportation coordination, meals/snacks, space needs, and logistics.\n\nEnsure programs begin and end on time, are properly staffed, and are delivered in a safe and organized manner.\n\nSupport the creation and maintenance of program systems, including lesson plan templates, attendance tracking, supply requests, field trip planning, permission forms, parent communication, and internal workflows.\n\nMonitor program environments to ensure they are safe, welcoming, structured, and supportive for youth.\n\nSupport special initiatives such as college tours, service projects, youth showcases, community events, leadership retreats, and field trips.\n\nEnsure program materials, technology, curriculum resources, and equipment are properly managed and available as needed.\n\nProgram Quality, Curriculum & Youth Development\n\nEnsure all programs reflect strong youth development practices, including relationship‑building, leadership development, social‑emotional learning, academic support, enrichment, identity development, and community engagement.\n\nReview and support the development of lesson plans, workshops, discussion guides, activities, and program experiences.\n\nObserve program sessions regularly and provide feedback to staff and facilitators.\n\nEnsure programming is engaging, relevant, age‑appropriate, culturally responsive, trauma‑informed, and grounded in youth voice.\n\nSupport behavior management approaches that are restorative, trauma‑informed, and aligned with You Matter 2’s policies.\n\nHelp create pathways for youth to stay engaged with You Matter 2 from middle school through high school, alumni engagement, internships, and volunteer leadership.\n\nPartnerships, Schools & Community Engagement\n\nBuild and maintain strong relationships with schools, community organizations, youth‑serving agencies, families, volunteers, and program partners.\n\nRepresent You Matter 2 at partner meetings, school meetings, community events, resource fairs, and collaborative tables as needed.\n\nCollaborate with the Community Outreach & Partnerships function to support student recruitment, enrollment, family engagement, and partner communication.\n\nSupport the development of school‑based and community‑based program partnerships.\n\nHelp identify and cultivate program partners, guest speakers, field trip sites, service partners, mentors, and workshop facilitators.\n\nMaintain professional and timely communication with parents, caregivers, school staff, community partners, and stakeholders.\n\nGrant Compliance, Reporting & Accountability\n\nEnsure programs are implemented in alignment with grant scopes of work, deliverables, timelines, budgets, and performance measures.\n\nMonitor progress toward grant‑funded program goals and support timely completion of required deliverables.\n\nWork with the Founder & CEO and appropriate staff to prepare grant reports, funder updates, invoices, impact summaries, and site visit materials.\n\nEnsure required documentation is collected and maintained, including attendance, enrollment, consent forms, demographic information, surveys, service logs, participant records, and program outputs.\n\nSupport preparation for funder meetings, compliance reviews, site visits, audits, and reporting deadlines.\n\nCommunicate proactively with the Founder & CEO regarding program successes, challenges, risks, staffing needs, and grant compliance concerns.\n\nData, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement\n\nWork with staff and the Outreach/Data function to track enrollment, attendance, participation, outcomes, surveys, demographics, and program impact.\n\nEnsure program data is accurate, timely, and consistently entered into organizational systems.\n\nUse data, staff feedback, youth feedback, family input, and partner insights to assess program effectiveness.\n\nIdentify trends, barriers, and opportunities for program improvement.\n\nContribute to internal dashboards, progress reports, impact stories, and evaluation summaries.\n\nHelp translate program outcomes into stories and data that support fundraising, communications, and organizational learning.\n\nSafety, Risk Management & Youth Protection\n\nEnsure programs follow You Matter 2’s safety protocols, youth protection policies, emergency procedures, transportation expectations, and behavior guidelines.\n\nSupport staff in responding to participant concerns, incidents, conflicts, and emergencies appropriately.\n\nEnsure incidents are documented and communicated according to organizational procedures.\n\nHelp maintain safe staff‑to‑youth ratios for programs, field trips, and events.\n\nSupport trauma‑informed and restorative responses to youth behavior and conflict.\n\nEnsure staff and contractors understand mandated reporting responsibilities, confidentiality expectations, and participant safety protocols.\n\nFamily Engagement & Participant Support\n\nSupport strong communication with parents, guardians, and caregivers regarding program expectations, schedules, attendance, transportation, behavior, and opportunities.\n\nHelp ensure families feel informed, welcomed, and connected to You Matter 2.\n\nWork with staff to identify youth who may need additional support, referrals, follow‑up, or encouragement.\n\nSupport strategies to improve attendance, retention, engagement, and family participation.\n\nCollaborate with staff to remove barriers to participation when possible.\n\nCollaboration & Organizational Leadership\n\nPartner closely with the Founder & CEO on program strategy, organizational priorities, growth opportunities, and sustainability.\n\nCollaborate with development, operations, communications, and administrative functions to align programs with fundraising, storytelling, compliance, and organizational goals.\n\nContribute to organizational planning, staff meetings, board updates, and strategic initiatives as needed.\n\nSupport a culture of transparency, accountability, teamwork, innovation, and continuous learning.\n\nServe as a key organizational leader who helps translate vision into effective program delivery.\n\nTake initiative in identifying systems, partnerships, resources, or processes needed to strengthen You Matter 2’s overall impact.\n\nQualifications\n\nBachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Youth Development, Nonprofit Management, Public Health, Human Services, Community Development, or a related field preferred; equivalent lived and professional experience will be considered.\n\n3–5+ years of experience in youth programming, education, nonprofit programming, community‑based work, or a related field.\n\nAt least 1–2 years of leadership, supervisory, or program management experience.\n\nDemonstrated experience working with middle school and/or high school youth.\n\nExperience managing program implementation, staff schedules, curriculum, events, workshops, or youth development activities.\n\nStrong people‑management skills, including the ability to coach, support, hold accountable, and develop staff or facilitators.\n\nExperience with program planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement.\n\nFamiliarity with grant‑funded programs, data tracking, reporting, or compliance preferred.\n\nStrong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.\n\nStrong written and verbal communication skills.\n\nStrong relationship‑building skills with youth, families, staff, schools, partners, and community stakeholders.\n\nAbility to problem‑solve, adapt, and make sound decisions in a fast‑paced program environment.\n\nCommitment to equity, youth voice, cultural responsiveness, trauma‑informed practices, and community‑centered work.\n\nAbility to work some evenings and weekends to support programs, events, field trips, and special initiatives.\n\nValid driver’s license and reliable transportation preferred for community‑based programming.\n\nPreferred Skills & Experience\n\nExperience working in South Suburban communities or similar community‑based settings.\n\nExperience supervising part‑time staff, contractors, interns, or volunteers.\n\nExperience supporting school‑based partnerships or after‑school programs.\n\nExperience with youth leadership, college and career readiness, social‑emotional learning, restorative practices, or violence prevention programming.\n\nExperience using data systems, spreadsheets, Salesforce, Apricot, Google Workspace, or similar tools to track program participation and outcomes.\n\nExperience supporting grant reports, funder updates, dashboards, or program evaluation.\n\nAbility to facilitate workshops, lead meetings, and represent the organization professionally in the community.\n\nCore Competencies\n\nYouth‑centered leadership\n\nProgram planning and execution\n\nStaff supervision and coaching\n\nRelationship building\n\nCultural responsiveness\n\nTrauma‑informed practice\n\nOrganization and follow‑through\n\nCommunication and collaboration\n\nData‑informed decision‑making\n\nGrant compliance and accountability\n\nProblem‑solving and adaptability\n\nCommitment to You Matter 2’s mission and values\n\nWork Environment\nThis position requires a combination of office‑based work, program site support, school and community partner meetings, evening programming, occasional weekend events, field trips, and community‑based activities. The Program Director must be comfortable working directly with youth, families, staff, volunteers, partners, and community members in a dynamic nonprofit environment.\n\nBenefits\nEligible employees receive a benefits package that includes:\n\nMedical insurance\n\nDental insurance\n\nLife insurance\n\nPaid time off (PTO)\n\nPaid holidays\n\nProfessional development opportunities\n\nSick time\n\nMileage reimbursement\n\n#J-18808-Ljbffr","company":"You Matter 2","rawCompany":"you matter 2","city":"Flossmoor","state":"IL","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-07-19T03:14:29.123Z","occupations":[{"code":"11-9151.00","title":"Social and Community Service Managers","slug":"social-and-community-service-managers"},{"code":"11-9032.00","title":"Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary","slug":"education-administrators-kindergarten-through-secondary"},{"code":"27-2012.03","title":"Media Programming Directors","slug":"media-programming-directors"}],"industries":[{"code":"624110","title":"Child and Youth Services","slug":"child-and-youth-services"},{"code":"813410","title":"Civic and Social Organizations","slug":"civic-and-social-organizations"},{"code":"611710","title":"Educational Support Services","slug":"educational-support-services"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Program Director","description":"About the Role\nYou Matter 2 is seeking a full-time Program Director to provide strategic, operational, and hands‑on leadership for our youth development programs serving middle and high school students across the South Suburban region. This role is responsible for ensuring programs are high‑quality, consistent, youth‑centered, trauma‑informed, culturally responsive, and aligned with You Matter 2’s mission to foster leadership and personal growth in youth.\n\nThe Program Director will oversee program planning, implementation, staff supervision, program quality, partnerships, family engagement, data tracking, grant compliance, and continuous improvement. This position is ideal for a strong youth development leader who can build systems, support staff, manage details, and work directly with youth, families, schools, and community partners.\n\nPosition Responsibilities\nProgram Leadership & Strategy\n\nProvide overall leadership for You Matter 2’s youth programs, including IGNITE, Discover U, Expressions Unleashed, Teen Night, Study Break on Us, Service Saturday, summer programs, youth leadership experiences, and community‑based initiatives.\n\nLead program planning, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement to ensure consistent, high‑quality delivery.\n\nDevelop, refine, and oversee program models, curricula, schedules, session plans, staffing structures, and participant outcomes.\n\nEnsure programs are aligned with You Matter 2’s mission, strategic goals, youth needs, best practices in youth development, and grant requirements.\n\nSupport program expansion into schools, community sites, partner organizations, and new service areas.\n\nIdentify opportunities to strengthen program quality, deepen youth engagement, and improve participant outcomes.\n\nStaff Management, Supervision & Team Development\n\nSupervise and support Program Leads, facilitators, outreach staff, contractors, interns, and volunteers connected to youth programming.\n\nSupport hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, scheduling, and performance management of program staff and contractors.\n\nProvide ongoing coaching and feedback to strengthen program delivery, classroom/group management, youth engagement, and facilitation quality.\n\nLead or support regular program team meetings, check‑ins, and planning sessions.\n\nFoster a positive, supportive, accountable, and collaborative team culture grounded in You Matter 2’s values.\n\nEnsure appropriate staffing coverage for programs, events, field trips, workshops, and special initiatives.\n\nProgram Operations & Implementation\n\nOversee day‑to‑day program operations, including calendars, schedules, staffing plans, materials, supplies, transportation coordination, meals/snacks, space needs, and logistics.\n\nEnsure programs begin and end on time, are properly staffed, and are delivered in a safe and organized manner.\n\nSupport the creation and maintenance of program systems, including lesson plan templates, attendance tracking, supply requests, field trip planning, permission forms, parent communication, and internal workflows.\n\nMonitor program environments to ensure they are safe, welcoming, structured, and supportive for youth.\n\nSupport special initiatives such as college tours, service projects, youth showcases, community events, leadership retreats, and field trips.\n\nEnsure program materials, technology, curriculum resources, and equipment are properly managed and available as needed.\n\nProgram Quality, Curriculum & Youth Development\n\nEnsure all programs reflect strong youth development practices, including relationship‑building, leadership development, social‑emotional learning, academic support, enrichment, identity development, and community engagement.\n\nReview and support the development of lesson plans, workshops, discussion guides, activities, and program experiences.\n\nObserve program sessions regularly and provide feedback to staff and facilitators.\n\nEnsure programming is engaging, relevant, age‑appropriate, culturally responsive, trauma‑informed, and grounded in youth voice.\n\nSupport behavior management approaches that are restorative, trauma‑informed, and aligned with You Matter 2’s policies.\n\nHelp create pathways for youth to stay engaged with You Matter 2 from middle school through high school, alumni engagement, internships, and volunteer leadership.\n\nPartnerships, Schools & Community Engagement\n\nBuild and maintain strong relationships with schools, community organizations, youth‑serving agencies, families, volunteers, and program partners.\n\nRepresent You Matter 2 at partner meetings, school meetings, community events, resource fairs, and collaborative tables as needed.\n\nCollaborate with the Community Outreach & Partnerships function to support student recruitment, enrollment, family engagement, and partner communication.\n\nSupport the development of school‑based and community‑based program partnerships.\n\nHelp identify and cultivate program partners, guest speakers, field trip sites, service partners, mentors, and workshop facilitators.\n\nMaintain professional and timely communication with parents, caregivers, school staff, community partners, and stakeholders.\n\nGrant Compliance, Reporting & Accountability\n\nEnsure programs are implemented in alignment with grant scopes of work, deliverables, timelines, budgets, and performance measures.\n\nMonitor progress toward grant‑funded program goals and support timely completion of required deliverables.\n\nWork with the Founder & CEO and appropriate staff to prepare grant reports, funder updates, invoices, impact summaries, and site visit materials.\n\nEnsure required documentation is collected and maintained, including attendance, enrollment, consent forms, demographic information, surveys, service logs, participant records, and program outputs.\n\nSupport preparation for funder meetings, compliance reviews, site visits, audits, and reporting deadlines.\n\nCommunicate proactively with the Founder & CEO regarding program successes, challenges, risks, staffing needs, and grant compliance concerns.\n\nData, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement\n\nWork with staff and the Outreach/Data function to track enrollment, attendance, participation, outcomes, surveys, demographics, and program impact.\n\nEnsure program data is accurate, timely, and consistently entered into organizational systems.\n\nUse data, staff feedback, youth feedback, family input, and partner insights to assess program effectiveness.\n\nIdentify trends, barriers, and opportunities for program improvement.\n\nContribute to internal dashboards, progress reports, impact stories, and evaluation summaries.\n\nHelp translate program outcomes into stories and data that support fundraising, communications, and organizational learning.\n\nSafety, Risk Management & Youth Protection\n\nEnsure programs follow You Matter 2’s safety protocols, youth protection policies, emergency procedures, transportation expectations, and behavior guidelines.\n\nSupport staff in responding to participant concerns, incidents, conflicts, and emergencies appropriately.\n\nEnsure incidents are documented and communicated according to organizational procedures.\n\nHelp maintain safe staff‑to‑youth ratios for programs, field trips, and events.\n\nSupport trauma‑informed and restorative responses to youth behavior and conflict.\n\nEnsure staff and contractors understand mandated reporting responsibilities, confidentiality expectations, and participant safety protocols.\n\nFamily Engagement & Participant Support\n\nSupport strong communication with parents, guardians, and caregivers regarding program expectations, schedules, attendance, transportation, behavior, and opportunities.\n\nHelp ensure families feel informed, welcomed, and connected to You Matter 2.\n\nWork with staff to identify youth who may need additional support, referrals, follow‑up, or encouragement.\n\nSupport strategies to improve attendance, retention, engagement, and family participation.\n\nCollaborate with staff to remove barriers to participation when possible.\n\nCollaboration & Organizational Leadership\n\nPartner closely with the Founder & CEO on program strategy, organizational priorities, growth opportunities, and sustainability.\n\nCollaborate with development, operations, communications, and administrative functions to align programs with fundraising, storytelling, compliance, and organizational goals.\n\nContribute to organizational planning, staff meetings, board updates, and strategic initiatives as needed.\n\nSupport a culture of transparency, accountability, teamwork, innovation, and continuous learning.\n\nServe as a key organizational leader who helps translate vision into effective program delivery.\n\nTake initiative in identifying systems, partnerships, resources, or processes needed to strengthen You Matter 2’s overall impact.\n\nQualifications\n\nBachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Youth Development, Nonprofit Management, Public Health, Human Services, Community Development, or a related field preferred; equivalent lived and professional experience will be considered.\n\n3–5+ years of experience in youth programming, education, nonprofit programming, community‑based work, or a related field.\n\nAt least 1–2 years of leadership, supervisory, or program management experience.\n\nDemonstrated experience working with middle school and/or high school youth.\n\nExperience managing program implementation, staff schedules, curriculum, events, workshops, or youth development activities.\n\nStrong people‑management skills, including the ability to coach, support, hold accountable, and develop staff or facilitators.\n\nExperience with program planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement.\n\nFamiliarity with grant‑funded programs, data tracking, reporting, or compliance preferred.\n\nStrong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.\n\nStrong written and verbal communication skills.\n\nStrong relationship‑building skills with youth, families, staff, schools, partners, and community stakeholders.\n\nAbility to problem‑solve, adapt, and make sound decisions in a fast‑paced program environment.\n\nCommitment to equity, youth voice, cultural responsiveness, trauma‑informed practices, and community‑centered work.\n\nAbility to work some evenings and weekends to support programs, events, field trips, and special initiatives.\n\nValid driver’s license and reliable transportation preferred for community‑based programming.\n\nPreferred Skills & Experience\n\nExperience working in South Suburban communities or similar community‑based settings.\n\nExperience supervising part‑time staff, contractors, interns, or volunteers.\n\nExperience supporting school‑based partnerships or after‑school programs.\n\nExperience with youth leadership, college and career readiness, social‑emotional learning, restorative practices, or violence prevention programming.\n\nExperience using data systems, spreadsheets, Salesforce, Apricot, Google Workspace, or similar tools to track program participation and outcomes.\n\nExperience supporting grant reports, funder updates, dashboards, or program evaluation.\n\nAbility to facilitate workshops, lead meetings, and represent the organization professionally in the community.\n\nCore Competencies\n\nYouth‑centered leadership\n\nProgram planning and execution\n\nStaff supervision and coaching\n\nRelationship building\n\nCultural responsiveness\n\nTrauma‑informed practice\n\nOrganization and follow‑through\n\nCommunication and collaboration\n\nData‑informed decision‑making\n\nGrant compliance and accountability\n\nProblem‑solving and adaptability\n\nCommitment to You Matter 2’s mission and values\n\nWork Environment\nThis position requires a combination of office‑based work, program site support, school and community partner meetings, evening programming, occasional weekend events, field trips, and community‑based activities. The Program Director must be comfortable working directly with youth, families, staff, volunteers, partners, and community members in a dynamic nonprofit environment.\n\nBenefits\nEligible employees receive a benefits package that includes:\n\nMedical insurance\n\nDental insurance\n\nLife insurance\n\nPaid time off (PTO)\n\nPaid holidays\n\nProfessional development opportunities\n\nSick time\n\nMileage reimbursement\n\n#J-18808-Ljbffr","datePosted":"2026-07-19T03:14:29.123Z","dateModified":"2026-07-19T03:14:29.123Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"You Matter 2","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Flossmoor","addressRegion":"IL","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"7caaa3f8f63b5b8a32acfdc2"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/7caaa3f8f63b5b8a32acfdc2"}}