Senior Program Director
Senior Program Director
The Senior Program Director will be a key member of JA USA Education’s Education Delivery & Learning Technology team and will focus on ensuring the suite of projects connected to Character Development Initiatives for Experiential Learning Center and Content and Curriculum product lines are planned, executed, and completed successfully. This Director will work closely with JA USA leadership, product owners, key stakeholders, and staff to ensure the execution of the programs based on the grant requirements using key skills in a dynamic, mission-driven environment. As the Senior Program Director for Junior Achievement USA’s K-12 Character Development Initiatives, you will oversee the complete set of associated projects and ensure successful implementation. This initiative’s unique objective is to ensure the incorporation of Character Development based on research-based methodologies and approaches across several technical and curriculum solutions, as well as training. This is a 3-year grant funded role.
Impact
Junior Achievement aims to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization that gives students relevant, hands-on learning experiences that teach them to manage their money, plan for their economic future, own businesses, develop readiness for careers, college, or technical training, and make smart academic and financial choices.
JA Worldwide, representing all Junior Achievement organizations globally, was nominated for the 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 for the Nobel Peace Prize. JA was nominated due to the organization’s global reach, success in delivering economic empowerment to youth at scale, and its ability to find unity in diversity. For centuries, unemployment and poverty have led to political instability, violence, and war. By economically empowering youth on all continents, JA serves as a conduit for peace.
Primary Responsibilities:
The essential functions for a Senior Program Director typically include overseeing the planning, execution, and completion of various programs, or sets of connected projects. They are responsible for ensuring that projects align with the organization's strategic goals and are delivered on time and within budget. Here are some specific responsibilities:
Program Planning and Execution: Developing detailed project plans, setting milestones, and ensuring that all project activities are completed on schedule.
Resource Allocation: Managing resources effectively, including fiscal management and ensuring proper use of funds.
Stakeholder Management: Collaborating with various stakeholders, including educational institutions, industry partners, and community organizations.
Team Leadership: Leading education team in the successful delivery of the project and working closely with senior leadership on communication and overall management.
Quality Assurance: Ensuring that all projects meet defined quality standards and implementing quality control processes.
Reporting and Documentation: Maintaining accurate project documentation and providing regular updates to executive management.
Training: Support the creation of training materials and delivery to the JA Network to support Character education.
The above-listed functions ensure that the Senior Program Director can effectively manage and deliver successful programs that meet organizational objectives.
Qualifications (required)
-10 years of relevant experience as in project and product management or similar position, preferably in educational or technology settings
-5 years' experience with project management methodologies (i.e., Agile, waterfall) and processes (planning, documentation, executing, monitoring, close out)
-Experience in managing multiple projects or sets of connected projects of varying sizes and leading multiple production teams on schedule and within budget
-Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and collaborative project management tools and software (e.g., ClickUp, Asana, Trello, Microsoft Planner, or similar)
-Strong organizational, problem-solving, and time management skills
-Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and proactive approach
-Ability to manage multiple connected projects or sets of projects at once and prioritize in a fast-paced environment
-Effective communication, organizational, time management, and active listening skills
-Proven experience in a leadership or management role within the Education Technology or Product Development sector
-Strong portfolio highlighting strategic creative approaches and displaying successful projects
-Bachelor's degree in education, Business, Project Management or a related field, or equivalent education/experience
Qualifications (desired)
-Understanding of current education and/or technology trends
-Project Management certification
-Attention to detail and quality in managing and implement products and systems
-Experience with education products and content delivery, such as print and digital programs for K-12 students and working with learning technology system projects throughout their life cycle
-In-depth knowledge of multimedia production, project management skills such as file organization, scoping, estimating, and resource allocation, and the use of resource and time management tools
-Experience developing or implementing character development curriculum and/or experiential learning programs, with a strong understanding of best practices in youth development and engagement
Application Process
The salary range for this position is $96,000 to $113,000 annually, with the exact salary depending on prior work experience and the assessment of one’s fit for the role.
Benefits
JA USA’s health care benefits provide coverage when needed—focusing on programs that support and encourage healthy living and your overall well-being. We offer medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, paid time off, and 401(k).
Our Commitment
At JA USA, we believe that our success is directly tied to our ability to foster an environment where all individuals have access to opportunities and can thrive. We are deeply committed to creating a workplace where inclusion and belonging are not just principles but lived experiences. This commitment drives us to attract, develop, retain, and promote a workforce that mirrors the communities we serve, bringing together a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and talents.
We embrace the unique contributions that every JA USA employee brings to our mission and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to join our team. By welcoming various voices, we continue to expand our understanding of the world, and we actively seek to elevate representation of different individual experiences and the perspectives they shape.
We are dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and heard—where people can be their authentic selves and know that they belong. This is how we build a workplace where every individual can succeed, and where we work together to create lasting impact for the young people and communities we serve.
Additional Information
JA USA does not provide sponsorship for employment visas for this position. All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship, now or in the future.
Application Process
Apply via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4165247943/?capColoOverride=true. The application deadline is March 5, 2025.
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