Program Director

Overview

Program Director 

Reports to: CEO

9 Dots is a Los Angeles-based community of educators, researchers, and engineers aiming to provide K-6 students from Title I elementary schools with the opportunity to engage in a transformative computer science (CS) education. We are especially committed to creating empowering CS experiences for our female, Latinx, Black, and low-income students. We create learning environments that engage every student, foster joy, and promote fearlessness in problem-solving. We build sustainably by providing teachers with the support and tools they need to lead exceptional computer science learning experiences.

As the Program Director, you will assume a pivotal leadership role, overseeing the operations and strategic direction of our flagship in-school program, Get Coding. Currently, Get Coding reaches 30 schools and impacts over 10,000 students across Los Angeles County. In this capacity, you will ensure the delivery of the highest quality services, foster robust team development and management, build and sustain key partnerships, and spearhead strategic initiatives aimed at continuous improvement. This position offers a unique opportunity to drive meaningful and sustainable change, significantly impacting 21st-century educational opportunities for students in Los Angeles.

Responsibilities:

Operational Excellence:

• Maintain quality and excellence of Get Coding services.
• Ensure smooth program implementation, providing staff with the necessary resources to complete their day-to-day tasks.
• Establish consistent, objective program performance standards and accountability using existing objectives and key results (OKRs) framework.

Team Management and Development:

• Manage the service team and service leads directly.
• Implement and refine a system to evaluate the skill, experience, and professional development needs of all service staff.
• Work with staff to develop objective performance measurements across all sites, ensuring consistent, high-quality evaluation and goal setting for all service employees.
• Maintain a positive, consistent work environment for the service team.
• Recruit, hire, and oversee training and orientation of all service staff members.

Partnerships: 

• Oversee partner experience at the district and school levels.
• Gather and consult on partner experiences and needs to inform the direction of services and the integration of new products
• Oversee all current partners’ contracting; collaborate with the revenue team to manage new partners/districts’ contracting.
• Cultivate existing relationships with vendors to ensure sufficient space, resources, and access to services.

Project Management:

• Create clear, measurable, ambitious objectives for the Service and Get Coding program.
• Drive results by facilitating the adoption of agile sprint processes and data-informed decision-making.
• Maintain and facilitate communication across departments to ensure partner needs are met and inform product improvement.
• Plan programs from start to finish, including identifying processes, deadlines, and milestones.

Strategic Improvement:

• Collaborate with the service team to lead program improvement strategy.
• Develop and execute a strategy for independent teacher support.
• Develop and implement strategies that will maximize the synergies among program areas.

Leadership:

• Instill a sense of accountability among team members by modeling tight oversight of individual and organizational performance standards.
• Represent and uphold 9 Dots’ values in all interactions, ensuring that the team adheres to and embodies these values in their work.
• Lead large group discussions to answer questions and address concerns.
• Create and nurture effective communication within the organization.
• Build a strong team through open communication and by collaborating on decision-making responsibilities.

Requirements

• 3+ years of leadership experience with a proven track record in educational program management, including setting high expectations and accountability for team performance. Demonstrated capability in mentoring and developing diverse talent through performance management and leadership development. 
• Strong strategic thinker with exceptional project management skills, capable of managing both short-term tasks and long-term organizational goals. Experience with operational planning and execution in a dynamic, educational environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities, including facilitating difficult conversations and leading intergenerational, diverse teams. Experience in building relationships with external organizations, particularly those focused on youth and community engagement, is highly desired.
• Experience with contract management and partnership development with schools or districts.
• Experience data collection & analysis to drive program improvements and decision-making. 

Bonus

• Experience with LAUSD and Compton USD directly.
• Has an informed perspective with the student population we serve and/or the teachers we support.
• Bachelor’s Degree and/or advanced degree in Education, Public Administration, or related field. 

Start Date:  August and flexible, dependent on candidate availability 

Location: Los Angeles, CA

We Provide

• $85,000 – $95,000 salary range commensurate with experience
• Full health care, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement Investment Plans (401k)
• Life and disability insurance
• 20 days PTO + 13 Holidays
• Professional Development reimbursement
• Experience within a nimble and rapidly growing organization
• Open and collaborative environment

9 Dots is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with the requirements of the California Consumer Reporting Agencies Act and Los Angeles’s Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

9 Dots encourages all applicants to apply and seeks to hire qualified staff who reflect the rich diversity of the communities we serve.  We define diversity in broad terms to include race, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, geography, socio-economic status and other unique attributes that make us who we are.

To apply, please use the following form.