[2026-2027] After School Program Director

Job Description

Position Overview

The Program Director is responsible for leading a high-quality middle school after-school program that extends KIPP NYC's commitment to academic excellence, student development, and family partnership beyond the school day.

Reporting jointly to the Regional Manager of After School Programs and partnering closely with school leadership teams, the Program Director will develop, manage, and continuously improve programming that integrates academics, enrichment, youth development, and social-emotional learning. The Program Director plays a key role in creating engaging and supportive experiences that foster student belonging, achievement, leadership, and well-being.

This role requires a highly organized, student-centered leader who can build strong teams, cultivate meaningful relationships with families and community partners, and ensure operational excellence while maintaining a joyful and engaging program culture.

Duties and Responsibilities:

General responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

Program Leadership & Vision

• Develop and implement a clear vision for after-school programming that aligns with KIPP NYC's mission, values, and educational priorities
• Ensure programming provides students with meaningful opportunities for academic growth, enrichment, leadership development, and social-emotional learning
• Evaluate program effectiveness through data analysis, stakeholder feedback, and student outcomes to drive continuous improvement
• Foster a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment where all students feel known, valued, and supported

Staff Leadership & Development

• Recruit, hire, onboard, train, supervise, and evaluate after-school staff
• Provide ongoing coaching and professional development to ensure high-quality instruction and student engagement
• Build a collaborative team culture grounded in accountability, growth, and continuous learning
• Ensure all staff complete required professional development hours and compliance training

School & Family Partnership

• Partner closely with school leadership teams to align after-school programming with school-day priorities and student needs
• Create systems that promote strong communication and collaboration between school-day and after-school staff
• Serve as a primary point of contact for families and cultivate strong family partnerships
• Plan and execute family engagement and community-building events that strengthen connections between families, schools, and after-school programs

Student Recruitment & Retention

• Lead student recruitment and retention efforts to meet and exceed enrollment targets
• Develop strategies to ensure consistent student participation and engagement throughout the program year
• Monitor attendance and participation data to identify trends and implement interventions as needed

Compliance & Operations

• Ensure compliance with all Department of Health (DOH), Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), and organizational requirements
• Maintain accurate program records, data collection systems, and required reporting
• Complete all required DYCD trainings and translate learning into improved program practices and student experiences
• Collaborate with school-based and regional teams to develop and implement crisis management and student support plans

Budget & Resource Management

• Manage site budgets, purchasing, expense tracking, reporting, and budget modifications in partnership with the Finance Team
• Ensure responsible stewardship of resources while maximizing program impact and student experiences
• Monitor expenditures and align spending decisions with program goals and priorities

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with school leaders, students, families, community organizations, and regional stakeholders
• Represent KIPP NYC positively within the broader community
• Identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships that enhance programming and student outcomes

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Child Development, Recreation, Social Work, Youth Development, or a related field; Master's degree preferred
• Minimum of 3–4 years of experience working with school-age children in educational, youth development, recreation, childcare, or social service settings
• At least one year of supervisory experience in an after-school program, childcare setting, educational environment, or related field
• Experience developing, managing, and evaluating programs with measurable goals and outcomes
• Knowledge of or experience working with DYCD, DOH, and/or OCFS regulations preferred
• Demonstrated success leading, coaching, and developing adults to achieve ambitious goals
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into action and use data to drive continuous improvement
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with school leaders, staff, students, families, community partners, and external stakeholders
• Experience managing budgets, monitoring expenditures, and stewarding resources effectively
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Deep belief in KIPP NYC's mission and an unwavering commitment to educational equity and student success
• Demonstrates KIPP NYC's core values of zest, grit, hope, social intelligence, gratitude, and a sense of humor

Additional Information

Compensation and Benefits:

KIPP NYC offers a salary ranging from $65,000 - $80,000. Salary ranges at KIPP NYC are standardized based on role level and role function. Individual salaries are determined through a lens of equity, accounting for years of experience relevant to the role and scope of responsibilities, and are benchmarked against others within the same salary band.

KIPP NYC offers a generous benefits package, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Robust benefits that include medical, dental, and vision.
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 50% match after 6 months.
• Generous Time-Off aligned with the school calendar
• Up to 12 weeks of 100% parental leave.
• Bright Horizon Back-up Child and Elder care.
• Employer-paid Life Insurance and Short-term / Long-term disability.
• Employee incentives include an 8-week paid Sabbatical after 10 years, annual professional development funds, and tuition reimbursement.

This description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the employee.

This is a full-time, in-person role based in New York City and will require travel to our schools. If you are not in a school-based position, the cadence and frequency of travel to schools is determined by your leadership team. If you relocate outside of a commutable distance or out of the state of NY, your employment will be subject to review, which may include separation from KIPP NYC. It is important that you notify HR if you move or have plans to relocate.

KIPP NYC LLC does not offer visa sponsorship or work authorization. 

KIPP NYC LLC is committed to creating a welcoming environment that includes employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that enables us to better meet our mission and values while serving students and families throughout New York City. 

KIPP NYC LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP NYC LLC is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.