Program Director

Description

The Program Director ensures all Center programs are effective, impactful, and aligned with The Center’s healthy aging mission. This role requires planning, designing, and delivering high-quality Center programs; adeptly managing a talented program team; building and maintaining relationships with community partners and paid and volunteer program leaders; and transparently reporting program performance to internal and external stakeholders. Working closely with the Executive Director and members of The Center’s leadership team (Membership, Philanthropy, Strategy and Communications, and Finance and Operations), this role requires a blend of hands-on action and strategic thinking, collaboration, communication, relationship management, organizational skills, and a deep commitment to the health and well-being of older adults.

Job Duties

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
• Lead efforts to create and execute a nimble annual program plan to provide diverse, high-impact activities that support the physical, mental, and social needs of all older adults in our community in alignment with The Center’s healthy aging mission.
• Assess program proposals made by individuals, organizations, and businesses who wish to present at The Center and proactively seek out groups or individuals to create programs needed to support our healthy aging mission.
• Evaluate program performance using data and feedback to make informed decisions and adjustments to improve program offerings, reduce barriers to participation, and maintain program quality.
• Manage the timely creation and accurate distribution of program information across internal and external communication channels to ensure public engagement, streamline work, and expand cross-departmental collaboration.
• Prepare reports, articles, and updates that share information on program activities, successes, and challenges with the Executive Director, Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and other stakeholders.
• Build and cultivate relationships with program leaders, community partners, government agencies, health and aging experts, and other aligned entities to support the quality, relevance, and appeal of The Center’s healthy aging programming.
• Develop and manage program budgets, allocating resources wisely, monitoring expenses, and ensuring financial accountability and transparency.

TEAM AND PROGRAM LEADER MANAGEMENT
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, professional development, and performance management of a high-performing team of program managers, conducting regular meetings both as a team and with individual staff to ensure responsive program development and execution while fostering a collaborative, transparent, and inclusive culture.
• Guide the members of the program team to adeptly manage all aspects of program planning and execution, including crafting program narratives that align with Center standards, while actively cultivating their leadership capacity, ensuring they feel empowered and supported when mediating challenging stakeholder tensions.
• Manage a diverse group of paid and volunteer program leaders, establish clear communication channels, ensure the timely collection of all needed documentation, deliver structured onboarding, evaluate performance, and address disciplinary matters as needed.

LEADERSHIP
• Work closely with all Center departments to ensure a cohesive approach to achieving shared responsibilities and goals. This includes coordinating efforts, valuing open communication, and sharing resources to maximize impact.
• With other members of the Leadership Team, help to set The Center’s overall direction and priorities each year to support the continued growth and impact of The Center’s healthy aging mission.

GENERAL
• Embrace The Center’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and pursue additional opportunities to help all older adults age well.
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Skills Required

QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE TRAITS
Education: Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience in program development, coordination, or management within a nonprofit or related sector is required, as is at least 3 years of supervisory experience. Candidates with these qualifications who also have direct experience working with older adults, community wellness initiatives, and knowledge of travel operations are preferred.

Relationship-Driven: Excels at building authentic relationships across a diverse group of staff, volunteers, and community stakeholders. Demonstrates objective, calm, and fair judgment when handling complaints, behavioral challenges, and other sensitive matters.

Strategic Mindset: Proven track record of scaling programs, turning plans into actionable operational steps, and managing complex projects; demonstrates a strong desire to learn, routinely seeking innovative program practices and evidence-based information, and welcomes staff, volunteer, and community feedback to drive continuous improvement.

Adaptability & Resilience: Thrives in a dynamic, shifting nonprofit environment, quickly pivoting strategies when resources, schedules, or community needs change. Comfortable leading groups and contributing as part of a team. Willing to lend a hand to support team members, as needed.

Financial Acumen: Demonstrates proficiency in managing departmental budgets, requests for payment, and payroll, and in analyzing financial reports.

Communication: Possesses exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.

Detail-Attuned: Exceptionally organized, with the ability to support the program team to produce timely, clear, and accurate program narratives that serve both Center peers and program participants.

Mission Alignment: Strongly committed to The Center’s mission to positively impact our community by creating opportunities for healthy aging through social connection, physical well-being, civic engagement, creativity, and lifelong learning.

Physical: Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds occasionally and regularly move objects, e.g., moving tables and chairs for scheduled programs. Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, operate a computer terminal, do extensive reading, and perform visual inspections.

Work Schedule

SCHEDULE
This is a full-time, in-person, on-site position. It occasionally requires evening or Saturday work, with weekday hours flexed accordingly to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

SALARY
$70–$80K, commensurate with experience.

BENEFITS
As part of The Center’s team, you’ll enjoy:
• Paid medical (90%) & dental (50%) insurance for employees
• Paid Long-Term, Short-Term Disability, and Life Insurance (100%)
• Matching 403(b) plan
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• National holidays
• Opportunity to make a difference in the community

TO APPLY
Please send the following information:
• Cover letter
• Résumé
• Three references (We will not contact references until later in the hiring process and will advise candidates in advance.)
to Kim Shipley, Finance and Operations Director, at kim@thecentercville.org with “Center Program Director” as the subject line.

In your cover letter, please speak directly about your experience and your interest in working with The Center.
This position will remain posted until the job is filled. The preferred application deadline is Oct 26.

Additional Info

ABOUT THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
You are an intellectually curious, energetic, collaborative, and problem-solving individual who thrives in a collegial, fast-paced environment. You have a strong understanding of program development and management; provide excellent customer service; have experience managing budgets; are interested in evolving research and how it translates into Center programming; and have some basic knowledge of fundraising and marketing strategies. You enjoy leading high-performing teams, setting clear objectives, and the autonomy to own their projects while providing the guidance and strategic context they need to succeed. You provide excellent customer service and share The Center’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to eliminating barriers to help all older adults to age well.

ABOUT THE CENTER AT BELVEDERE
The Center is a vibrant nonprofit that helps people live more years in good health. For more than 65 years, we’ve provided opportunities for healthy aging through social connection, physical well-being, civic engagement, creativity, and lifelong learning—a research-based, whole-person approach to wellness. The breadth and depth of our programming has earned us a national reputation, strengthened by a spirit of continuous improvement, responsiveness to community input, and a collaborative, supportive team environment.