Director of Programs

About Cultivating Literacy

Cultivating Literacy is a nonprofit organization based in San Jose, CA, dedicated to empowering families and young readers in Santa Clara County. We provide intentional, customized family literacy programs and resources to support a child’s academic and social-emotional growth and family agency. As we grow, we seek a dynamic and strategic leader to join our team as the Director of Programs. Cultivating Literacy is a growing organization that partners with local schools to support children and their families. Our team supports intentional, empathy-centered care and relationship-building with families and our school partners. We are intentional and nimble to provide innovative programming that reflects the feedback from our families and schools.

Position Overview

The Director of Programs will support the overall structure of the organization to create inclusive, people-centered, and engaging programs and services. This position will be pivotal in advancing Cultivating Literacy’s mission by overseeing organizational operations, optimizing systems for scalability, and supporting the successful delivery of programs. 

This position will manage the intersection of operations and program implementation , working closely with part-time program managers to ensure quality, efficiency, and impact. Additionally, the Director will lead the integration of AI and language model technologies into our programmatic and operational frameworks, positioning the organization for long-term innovation and growth.

Key Responsibilities

Program and Customer Growth

• Cultivate New Customers: Build and sustain relationships with families, schools, community partners, and stakeholders to expand program participation and partnerships.
• Customer Engagement Strategy: Develop and implement strategies to attract and retain program participants, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Guide and Support Program Managers: Collaborate with program managers to provide guidance, troubleshoot challenges, and monitor program success metrics.
• Assist in Implementation: Offer hands-on support to program managers in day-to-day operations, including planning, logistics, and delivery.

Programs & Operational Leadership

• Create and Test Processes: Lead, design, pilot, refine, and implement operational workflows to scale the organization’s impact while maintaining quality.
• Optimize Resource Allocation: Ensure efficient use of time, materials, and staff to meet programmatic and operational goals.
• Policy and Procedure Development: Establish organizational policies and procedures that enhance consistency and accountability across operations.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Monitor and analyze program and operational data to inform decisions and demonstrate impact to stakeholders. Survey the current landscape of language learning and AI models to learn best practices.

Project Management

• Lead AI and Language Models Expansion: Manage technical programs/projects and teams.
• Collaborate with Vendors and Experts: Work with technology partners and consultants to integrate innovative tools that align with organizational needs.
• Train Staff and Monitor Impact: Ensure program staff are trained on new technologies and track the success of AI initiatives.

QualificationsExperience and Skills

• Leadership and Management: 5+ years of experience in nonprofit management, operations, or program leadership.
• Program Support: Demonstrated ability to support program managers in planning, execution, and evaluation of initiatives.
• Operational Excellence: Proven success in creating and improving processes to support organizational growth and efficiency.
• Technology Savvy: Experience with technology integration; familiarity with AI tools or language models is a strong plus.
• Customer Engagement: Skilled at building relationships with diverse stakeholders, including families, schools, and community organizations.
• Data Management: Comfort with tracking and using data to measure impact, improve programs, and guide decisions.

Attributes

• Strategic Thinker: Able to see the big picture while managing the details required for implementation.
• Innovative Problem-Solver: Creative and resourceful in addressing challenges and identifying opportunities.
• Excellent Communicator: Strong written and verbal communication skills; adept at engaging with a wide variety of audiences.
• Highly Organized: Exceptional project management and prioritization abilities.
• Collaborative Leader: Skilled at working with and empowering teams to achieve shared goals.

Candidate Evaluation

Must haves: 

• 3 or more years of experience in nonprofit management
• Significant experience managing and leading small teams 
• 2 or more years of experience in an educational sector (early childhood, elementary, K-12, or higher education)
• Led projects requiring cycles of customer feedback, redesign, and testing 
• Willingness to learn new fields and dynamically operate within a fast-growing organization
• Previous project management experience includes working with highly technical team members, such as UI/UX designers, software developers, and full-stack development firms.
• Proficient and comfortable in working across multiple information and communication systems to store data and communicate dynamically with team members, i.e., Trello, Google Drive, Salesforce, Asana, Slack, etc

Nice to haves:

• 5 or more years of experience in nonprofit management
• Bilingual in English and Spanish and/or Vietnamese
• Worked with developers on projects requiring user interface design, testing, and implementation
• 2 or more years of experience as an administrator in a TK-12 school or district

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $85,000–$95,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
• Health Benefits: Employer-subsidized medical insurance
• Additional Benefits: Paid time off, professional development opportunities, and flexible work arrangements.
• Hybrid: This role consists of in-person requirements and allows for working from home and travel

How to Apply

Please submit your resume detailing your relevant experience and interest in the role to (email/contact info). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Cultivating Literacy is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.