Director of Program

Overview

Are you passionate about igniting young minds and fostering early literacy? Strong Start® Charitable Organization is seeking a Director of Program to join our team and make a difference in young lives. Our charitable organization is committed to empowering children with the fundamental skill of reading, unlocking doors to a brighter future.

As the Director of Program, you will play a pivotal role in leading our established programs, Baby Connections®, Get Ready for School™, and Letters, Sounds, and Words™. You will also help drive the growth of Strong Start through the development of new partnerships and innovative programs, collaborating closely with school board decision-makers and community organizations, to ensure our programs reach and empower those who need them most.

Responsibilities Overview:

• Provide oversight and leadership of Strong Start’s programs to ensure quality delivery, program fidelity, and brand adherence.
• Evaluate programs and processes with a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire team members to reach their full potential, fostering a culture in line with Strong Start’s core values of relationships, excellence, accountability, and dynamic.
• Develop and nurture meaningful relationships with key stakeholders including program partners (school boards, post-secondary institutions, community centres, libraries, etc.), community organizations, volunteers, donors, employees, etc.
• Research prospective partners and Early Literacy programming in regions across Ontario and in other markets.
• Explore and assess potential program opportunities, conducting thorough research and analysis to identify strategic initiatives for advancement.
• Provide leadership as the interim Regional Program Co-ordinator during program start-up in a new region and until a local Program Co-ordinator is hired.
• Work collaboratively as a member of the Senior Leadership Team of Strong Start along with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Director of Development & Communications.
• Serve as a subject matter expert to the Board of Directors and attend monthly Board meetings.

Qualifications/Skills/Requirements:

• University or College degree/diploma in Education, Early Literacy, or related field.
• Master of Education or graduate degree in a related field of study would be an asset.
• Experience in elementary school administration or curriculum coordination (preferred).
• Subject matter expertise related to the field of early literacy including but not limited to Science of Reading, Ontario Right to Read Report, and Ministry of Education curriculum.
• Demonstrated ability in building relationships, strategic alliances and partnerships with school boards, post-secondary institutions, and community organizations.
• Proven track record of building high-performing teams, nurturing talent, and fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated history of success delivering measurable results and driving performance improvements, with a focus on achieving strategic objectives and exceeding expectations.
• Commitment to integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in all professional endeavors, serving as a role model for ethical leadership practices.
• Strong networking skills, with the ability to cultivate and leverage relationships to advance organizational objectives, expand partnerships, and identify opportunities for collaboration.
• Proven ability to deliver presentations, speeches, or workshops confidently and effectively to diverse audiences, engaging and captivating listeners.
• Consistently demonstrate a keen eye for detail, ensuring accuracy and precision in all tasks, from data entry to document preparation.
• Proven ability to effectively prioritize tasks, manage time efficiently, and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously to meet deadlines and achieve objectives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to lift 30 lbs.
• A Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check will be requested if an offer of employment is extended.  An entry on a criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check will not necessarily prevent a candidate from obtaining employment and would be reviewed as per Strong Start’s Record Check Policy.

Why Join Us:

• Competitive salary ($80,000 to $90,000 annually) with benefits.
• A collaborative and supportive in-person work environment fostering growth and development.
• Meaningful work that makes a difference in children’s lives.
• Strong Start values diversity and provides accommodation throughout the recruitment process.
• Be a part of our mission to empower young learners through literacy.

Strong Start is committed to an inclusive selection process to attract candidates representing the diversity of the children and families we serve. Strong Start is an equal opportunity employer and accommodation is available during all phases of the recruitment process. We ask that any applicants requiring accommodation make their needs known in advance. This document is available in accessible formats upon request.

Strong Start is committed to protecting the privacy of the personal information of its employees, volunteers, members, children, parents/guardians, donors, partners, and other stakeholders, by following responsible information handling practices in keeping with privacy laws. We recently updated our Privacy Notice, so please read our Privacy Notice here.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. EST or until a suitable candidate is found. Apply here. Please ensure you include a cover letter along with your resume.

Discover more about our impactful initiatives at Strong Start. We appreciate your interest and will contact selected candidates.

Tagged as: Management

Compensation

Competitive salary ($80,000 to $90,000 annually) with benefits.

How to Apply

Join Our Team