Senior Director of Programs & Operations in Detroit, Michigan at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan

OUR MISSION & VALUES

Our MISSION is to create and support one to one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Our VISION is that all youth achieve their full potential. Our Core Values: We believe when every young person has access to a positive mentor, it transforms their lives for the better, empowering them with a stronger sense of belonging and the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Director of Programs & Operations is a senior executive leader and key strategic partner to the CEO. This role provides vision, oversight, and accountability for all program operations at BBBSSEM, including Enrollment, Community Based, School Based, and Program Enhancement. The SDPO is responsible for ensuring that every child, family, and volunteer we serve receives the highest quality experience, and that our internal systems, staff, and processes operate at their fullest potential.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITY

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Lead and manage the full program team across all departments — Enrollment, Community Based, School Based, and Program Enhancement.
• Partner with the CEO to develop and execute annual and multi-year program strategy aligned with organizational goals.
• Drive program innovation by identifying new models and opportunities that expand BBBS SEM's reach and impact across Southeast Michigan.
• Represent the organization in key community, funder, and partner relationships as needed.

Organizational Effectiveness & Quality

• Ensure full compliance with all BBBSA standards of practice including child safety, risk management, and outcomes assessment.
• Establish and maintain quality standards across all program areas, conducting regular reviews and implementing continuous improvement strategies.
• Oversee accurate and timely data management in MatchForce (Salesforce CRM) and use data to drive decision-making at all levels.
• Develop, implement, and refine program policies, procedures, and operational workflows to ensure organizational efficiency and effectiveness.

Performance Management & Staff Development

• Establish clear, measurable performance expectations for all program staff and hold the team accountable to achieving them.
• Use data to monitor individual and team performance, providing real-time coaching, feedback, and support.
• Design and oversee a comprehensive staff training and professional development strategy that ensures all program staff are equipped and growing.
• Foster a culture of accountability, learning, equity, and continuous improvement across the program team.
• Identify and develop emerging leaders within the team, building internal capacity and succession readiness.

Community Engagement & Agency Support

• Attend, support, and promote recruitment, program activities and agency meetings/events.
• Provides support for the annual Adopt-A-Family initiative, including availability for and completion of a required minimum number of scheduled shifts.
• Attend, support, and promote fundraising and stewardship events.
• Abide by BBBSSEM policies, procedures and standard operating practices.
• Assist with training and support of interns, as assigned.

Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION

Education

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field strongly preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive leadership experience in youth development, nonprofit program management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success leading multi-department teams in a mission-driven environment.
• Strong background in data-driven program management, quality assurance, and staff performance management.
• Experience with MatchForce or Salesforce CRM preferred; prior BBBSA experience a plus.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional leadership and people management skills with the ability to inspire, develop, and hold staff accountable.
• Strategic thinker with strong systems-level problem-solving and organizational effectiveness skills.
• Deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive program delivery.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present data and outcomes to diverse stakeholders.
• High integrity, transparency, and a collaborative leadership style.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Hybrid telework/assigned office days, based on the needs of the organization.
• Frequent independent travel to meet agency needs (often to places of employment or individual homes), attend meetings, etc. Travel is generally within the BBBSSEM service area of Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne Counties.
• While performing duties of the job, an employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Employees must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.