Boston Program Director
A position at Peace Games
Peace Games is growing our work in Boston in response to the escalating violence in our streets and schools. We are currently looking for an amazing individual to fill the position of Program Director.
Hours: Fulll Time
To Apply: Please email a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position, why it is a good fit for you at this time in your life and career, and stating how you heard about this opportunity, both in Word format, to Jeff Lissack at PeaceGames@cgcareers.org, subject line “Program Director.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Peace Games, a national non-profit, (www.peacegames.org) was founded in 1992 on the belief that young people have the power and responsibility to change the world. It is an innovative violence prevention/social-emotional learning/school climate program that teaches students in grades K through 8 to be peacemakers. The unique Peace Games approach engages whole school communities—families, teachers, teen and college volunteers—to teach lessons of cooperation, communication and conflict resolution using games and community service projects. Peace Games currently operates school-based programming in Boston, Los Angeles, and New York and has conducted trainings and spawned affiliate programs in sites ranging from Chicago to Colombia.
In Greater Boston, Peace Games supports programs in nine schools, reaching more than 2,200 children and their families and tapping the energy of more than 130 volunteers each year. In the past year, Peace Games has conducted trainings for staff in partnering organizations such as Boston Center for Youth and Families, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston, and Citizen Schools, reaching at least an additional 1,500 youth in settings ranging from summer camps to after school programs.
Peace Games is poised to broaden and deepen impact in Boston. With a proven program model and 15 year track record, the organization is in a unique position to help respond to the continuing problems of violence surrounding youth in many of the city’s neighborhoods.
Position Summary:
Reporting directly to the COO, the Program Director will have primary responsibility for the effective delivery of Peace Games services to all Boston-based partner schools and community organizations. This will include overseeing curriculum delivery, community service projects, workshops for parents and teachers, and other programming affecting school climate. Serving as a key spokesperson and advocate for the program, the Program Director will manage a team of program staff and volunteers to nurture and deepen key relationships within partner schools and neighborhood communities, strengthening and building a strong foundation for future organizational growth. Working closely with the national staff and as a member of a team of regional leaders, the Program Director will work collaboratively to identify, implement, and evaluate institutional best practices across all functional areas and will work locally to develop, manage, and facilitate key strategic initiatives designed to enhance the impact that Peace Games has in its partner communities. With ambitious plans for growing our Boston presence and an organization-wide strategic planning process currently underway, this position is likely to evolve over time, presenting multiple opportunities for career development and growth.
Responsibilities:
• Lead effective collaboration with partner schools to ensure high-quality implementation of the program
• Supervise, coach, and support the work of Boston regional staff and university volunteers, including teaching one Peace Games class
• Oversee efforts to form and sustain partnerships with community organizations working to address issues related to Peace Games’ mission in neighborhoods surrounding partner schools
• Develop and manage Boston regional program budget of $300K
• Work with national staff to direct efforts to market and deliver training programs to new partner schools and organizations working with children and youth
• Work with national staff and other regional leaders to develop program, evaluation, communications, fundraising, and finance and administration practices across the network
Qualifications and Experience:
• At least 7 years of professional experience within a nonprofit or educational setting; experience working collaboratively with teachers and school leaders and a strong understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and priorities facing all related constituent groups is required; experience with urban public schools is preferred
• Demonstrated success managing program staff and volunteers with the ability to coach, mentor, motivate, prioritize and set expectations in an entrepreneurial environment with multiple program sites
• Strong knowledge of Boston neighborhoods and schools, with a deep understanding of the history and dynamics of the neighborhoods and an appreciation of the resources and challenges Boston’s children and families bring to the schools
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, with a high level of cultural competency, strong listening skills, and the ability to work well with people from different backgrounds
• Excellent judgment; a strategic thinker with a collaborative work style and excellent organizational skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present complex ideas in a clear and compelling manner
• Passion for the Peace Games mission and a belief that young people have the power and responsibility to change the world
• Experience developing and managing budgets
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree preferred
Peace Games is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and healthy work place.
About Commongood Careers: Peace Games has partnered with Commongood Careers to conduct the search for a Program Director. Commongood Careers (www.cgcareers.org/) is a nonprofit search service that connects talented individuals to organizations that are dedicated to creating positive social change. Founded and staffed by nonprofit professionals, Commongood Careers offers personalized, engaged services to jobseekers and organizations throughout the hiring process, as well as access to a wealth of knowledge about nonprofit careers.
