PE creates transformative learning experiences, pathways, and a community for youth underrepresented in STEM, especially low-income students, students of color, and young women, allowing them to explore STEM careers and equip them with the necessary skills and practices, and mindset needed for lifelong learning.

Program Director Position Summary: The Program Director reports to the Deputy Director and oversees the administration of all aspects of programs including planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling program operations and evaluation for PE. The Program Director is responsible for supervising and developing PE’s STEM Learning Center (SLC) Program Manager, Virtual Program Manager, and Program Operations Manager. Additionally, he/she should be comfortable coaching Program Managers on program delivery via PE’s contracted, part-time STEM Facilitators/STEAMbassadors. In addition to internal-facing duties, the Program Director also has an external-facing role managing relationships with PE’s partners and schools and is responsible for fostering productive programming and program operations in line with PE’s mission. This position offers great opportunity for growth with a nationally-recognized nonprofit.

Responsibilities:

Partner Cultivation and External Relationships:

Cultivate and strengthen new and existing relationships with PE partners, including school leaders, teachers, community organizations, and curriculum and/or other strategic partners;

Engage local communities to ensure appropriate input and buy-in, convening critical stakeholders including community leaders, parents, public officials, etc. as appropriate;

Direct the implementation of a Parent Committee to advise on PE programming, events, and community needs;

Represent PE at community and partner events and special programs;

Ensure photos, quotes, and stories from program are represented and elevated in PE communications; and

Contribute regularly to the organization’s blog and website..

STEM Learning Center (SLC) Operations:

Direct the management and delivery of equipment and supplies in collaboration with the Program Operations Manager, including the supply and equipment ordering and organization systems in alignment with program budget;

Direct the implementation and execution of operating policies and procedures at the SLC in collaboration with program team and PE leadership; and

Monitor SLC program spaces in collaboration with Program Managers to ensure spaces are maintained via program focus, staff, and volunteer support;

Program Oversight:

Supervise and develop PE Program Managers in delivering high-quality STEM education programs and field trips in alignment with PE’s pedagogy and goals, strengthening youth and family relationships;

Direct execution of the STEM Facilitator Seminar Series and coordinate year-round professional development activities for program staff;

Ensure incorporation of volunteers into PE program model with support from Program Operations Manager;

Ensure effective delivery of supplies and equipment to and from program sites;

Ensure alignment of lesson plans and program outlines with PE’s Youth-Science Matrix and Dimensions of Success (training provided via Harvard’s Pear Institute);

Identify and share resources to strengthen program model and curriculum in collaboration with Chicago STEM Pathways Cooperative Director;

Support program staff in planning and executing special projects and events;

Advise on and ensure proper handling of incident reports, and concerns, as needed, elevating concerns to PE leadership as appropriate;

Report suspicion of abuse or neglect immediately in accordance with PE’s policies and Illinois law;

Ensure program participation, attendance, retention, pre-/post- survey participation and metrics, etc. are in fulfillment of PE’s goals; and

Research educational trends in STEM to support program development; and

Develop and document best practices.

Program Evaluation and Reporting

Manage implementation of training and assessment tools for youth-science matrix in collaboration with PE leadership, program staff, and volunteers;

Routinely assess, present, and implement approved changes to streamline and strengthen PE’s evaluation and reporting processes;

Manage the development and implementation of effective methods to consistently use data as a program improvement strategy, including metrics to track and determine impact;

Ensure all programs are tracked using Cityspan which includes tracking programs, student participation;

Provide qualitative and quantitative reports for board meetings, impact reports, etc. pertaining to program delivery, as directed by PE leadership;

Conduct and respond to strategic analyses of evaluations to ensure maximum impact of program and youth development;

Work collaboratively with the Program Operations Manager to ensure regular evaluation of programs via pre-/post- surveys, STEM Youth Quality Assessment, ILQPSA, and DoS; and

Support the Program Operations Manager in capturing student data, including attendance, enrollment demographics, and post-program follow up.

Strategic Vision and Planning:

Provide input to the strategic framework and implementation of all programs;

Provide input in the development of the program department infrastructure/training;

Work with Development Director to ensure department work plan is in alignment with organization’s strategic framework, including targets and metrics;

Support grant proposal development; and

Provide program updates to support the submission of grants and proposals.

Qualifications Needed:

BA/BS degree required, preferred in STEM, education, social work, or related field

Minimum 5 years of program management and design experience and/or youth development

Minimum of 5 years experience in supervision and management capacity with diverse teams

Experience and comfort working in collaboration and service to predominantly black and brown communities; Strong familiarity with challenges and barriers that affect access to high-quality education programs for students in South and West Chicago

Experience working with students K-12 in traditional or non-traditional learning environments required

Experience in curriculum design and/or implementation required

Knowledge of Chicago Public Schools, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and/or in-school learning connections to out-of-school time (OST) preferred

Excellent oral and written communications skills

Strength in creating documents using Google Suite, including Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, as well as Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Extremely detail-oriented and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously

Occasional evenings and weekend work and/or travel is required

Must own or have ready access to an automobile for logistics and transportation to programs and events. Periodic travel outside the Chicagoland region may also be required.

Project Exploration is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Compensation dependent on experience. Benefits include paid time off, subsidized health insurance, and 401k.