Program Director

The F.I.R.M. Family Foundation is seeking a dedicated and strategic Program Director to lead the Building FIRM Foundations program. This initiative focuses on empowering the Springfield community through comprehensive workforce development. The Program Director will oversee the daily operations, strategic implementation, and continuous evaluation of the program, ensuring participants successfully navigate occupational safety certification, construction training, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship instruction.

This leadership role involves supervising program staff, managing critical partnerships, and ensuring full compliance with grant metrics and deliverables for residents.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Implementation

Direct the overall operations of the Building FIRM Foundations program to ensure alignment with organizational goals.

Oversee the integration of the P.I.E.C.E.S. soft-skills framework alongside core curriculum components.

Monitor program output goals, ensuring all target participant credentialing and graduation metrics are consistently met.

Coordinate training schedules, procurement, and facility logistics to support seamless program delivery.

Partnership & Community Engagement

Manage and operationalize Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with key community partners.

Serve as the primary liaison between the foundation and instructional partners.

Represent The F.I.R.M. Family Foundation at community access councils and stakeholder meetings.

Staff Supervision & Support

Provide direct supervision, guidance, and performance evaluations for program staff.

Ensure case management and navigation staff are effectively managing participant caseloads and tracking outcomes.

Facilitate staff training and ongoing professional development to maintain a high standard of service delivery.

Grant Compliance & Data Management

Ensure strict adherence to program requirements, tracking both financial parameters and participant outcomes.

Utilize and manage non-profit case management software to record intake applications, track workforce outcomes, and monitor remote staff activities.

Prepare comprehensive progress reports, program narratives, and impact statements for the Executive Director and board members.

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree required.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in program management, non-profit administration, workforce development, or a closely related field.

Leadership Skills: Proven track record of supervising direct reports and leading cross-functional teams toward measurable goals.

Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage complex community programs, coordinate multiple vendor/partner schedules, and oversee grant compliance.

Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience drafting professional correspondence, impact reports, and program narratives.

Local Knowledge: Deep understanding of the Springfield community landscape and the unique barriers to employment faced by local residents.