Director of Programs
Chicago, IL
Full Time
Experienced
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Director of Programs
Chicago Run
Director of Programs
Chicago Run
Type: Full-Time
Start Date: May 2025
Reports to: Executive Director
About Chicago Run
Since 2007, Chicago Run has empowered thousands of Chicago’s young people, from Pre-K through high school, with access to inclusive running and physical activity programs. Chicago Run’s programs meet young people where they are, partnering with schools and community organizations to provide regular opportunities for trauma-informed and non-competitive physical activity. Through these partnerships, Chicago Run’s program utilizes the power of sport to improve academic performance, positive relationships, development of social-emotional skills, and growth in physical and mental health.
In a typical year, Chicago Run reaches approximately 10,000 youth participants by working with 45+ schools within Chicago Public Schools (“CPS”) and 7 community partners/parks, across 30+ diverse Chicagoland neighborhoods, with a focus on programming in historically disinvested communities on the South and West sides.
By partnering with existing stakeholders who are deeply rooted in these communities, Chicago Run can reach more young people and deepen its impact in partner neighborhoods. Chicago Run offers a customized set of programs designed to meet the needs of each student and community, including:
- The Striders program, designed to provide high-quality physical activity breaks to youth in early childhood classrooms (Pre-k to 2nd grade). Its curriculum uses games and activities that focus on developing vital gross motor skills that students need upon entering elementary school.
- The Chicago Runners program, designed for youth in 3rd through 5th grade. This program provides equitable access to physical activity breaks to promote well-being and improve concentration in the classroom.
- The Running Mates program utilizes running and physical activity to improve social and emotional well-being of young people in middle school and high school. This program provides an inclusive and non-competitive environment in which young people work towards completing a local 5k race, while developing a positive self-image, promoting goal setting, and building relationships with peers and positive mentors. The Summer Strides season of Running Mates brings youth and community members together in a safe and healthy environment to develop their physical and mental health during the summer months.
- LACE (Leadership, Action, Community, Endurance) Up! a work-based learning program that enables students to explore careers in the Youth Development field. L.A.C.E. Up! trains students to serve as leaders, mentors, and coaches for current Chicago Run program participants. Alumni of Chicago Run programs are highly encouraged to apply.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Director of Programs works alongside Chicago Run senior staff to oversee the ongoing implementation of meaningful and developmentally appropriate youth running programs in Chicago Public Schools and community-based organizations. This includes the integration of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) components, trauma-informed coaching practices, and youth leadership development initiatives. At Chicago Run, the Director of Programs has the primary responsibility of supporting program vision and overseeing day-to-day program operations, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
Organizational Leadership:
- Collaborate with the Organizational Leadership Team to provide strategic direction, ensure alignment across departments, and lead the implementation of strategic plans and annual goals
- Lead the budget-setting process across programs and provide input on organizational budget
Program Leadership:
- Oversee implementation of a differentiated model for program delivery, providing tailored support and resources to program staff to ensure effective implementation
- Develop and implement a comprehensive quality control system, including implementation standards, continuous improvement processes, and the tracking and reporting of KPIs to measure program impact
- Develop data strategy and plan for annual data and evaluation cycles alongside Senior Manager of Programs, synthesizing and reporting findings to Executive Director
- Lead the planning and execution of strategies to expand Striders/Chicago Runners and Running Mates partnerships, ensuring over 50% of new partnerships are located within prioritized communities (Austin, South Lawndale, Greater Garfield Park, and Auburn Gresham/Englewood)
- Work alongside Senior Manager of Programs regarding new training concepts and curricular enhancements across programs
Talent Management:
- Foster a positive and collaborative team culture through collaborative Program Team structures (i.e. program team meetings, curriculum catalogue, implementation planning, etc.)
- Supervise and support ongoing professional development of program managers to ensure they are reaching program-specific and individual goals
- Conduct mid-year and annual reviews for direct reports in accordance with Chicago Run’s performance management system
External Relationships:
- Implement a comprehensive approach to partner cultivation and engagement at both the institutional and community levels, fostering strong and collaborative relationships
- Conduct regular site visits to participating Chicago Run schools and community sites
- Manage the implementation of a partnership lifecycle framework, ensuring effective management and growth of partnerships across school-based and community-based settings
- Strengthen and deepen supportive relationships with program partners, ensuring mutual understanding of expectations and promoting collaborative success to enhance partner satisfaction and retention
Additional Support:
- Provide support at program events and activations (Fun Run, seasonal races, partnership events, etc)
- Support the broader staff as needed on additional tasks, projects, and events
Qualifications:
- Demonstrate a passion for Chicago Run’s mission and advancing youth and adolescent health and wellbeing
- An ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years equivalent work experience in the non-profit sector
- Prior experience in program management, youth development, and/or workforce development preferred
- Working knowledge of Chicago communities, education/nonprofit landscape, and local public institutions (CPS, Chicago Park District, City Colleges of Chicago, etc) highly preferred
- Has exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Exhibits strong organizational skills and is detail-oriented
- Able to work independently, while also being a team player and possessing flexibility in supporting our small team cross-functionally as needed
- Demonstrate proficiency with basic software programs, including Microsoft Office, with advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel a plus
- Has strong interpersonal skills and able to build relationships and communicate with a diverse array of stakeholders
- Spanish language proficiency preferred
Working Conditions
- This job operates in a professional office environment. This is a full-time position, and standard hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 9AM to 5PM. Occasional evening and weekend work is required as job duties demand
- This role is primarily office-based, but some local travel required. There are opportunities for flexibility and occasional remote work
- Chicago Run is committed to being an equal opportunity organization, and providing employment opportunities regardless of identity, including race, color, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability status, or veteran status
- Individuals who are members of Chicago Run’s priority communities (Austin, Greater Garfield Park, Lawndale, Englewood, Auburn Gresham) are encouraged to apply
Salary & Benefits:
- Director level salary at Chicago Run ranges from $75k-85k annually
- Partially sponsored health, vision, and dental plans are available through Chicago Run’s providers
- Stipends for wellness and professional development
- 15 days of paid time off, 13 Federal holidays, 1 floating holiday, in addition to sick time
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