Job Description

The Program Director

Tutoring Chicago has an opening for our new Program Director. This role is fundamental to our leadership team; accountable for oversight, efficacy, optimization and impact of our programs and curriculum while leading our program team and aligning with other directors and partners.

This is a full-time, Chicago-based position that balances working remotely along with our downtown offices and tutoring sites. Qualified candidates have at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field with demonstrated non-profit leadership experience, volunteer management skills and a background in education. 

The Organization 

For over five decades, Tutoring Chicago has strived to deliver the power of education through one-to-one tutoring. We offer this to children facing financial barriers - at no cost to their families. Over the past decade, we expanded our reach and services to better meet the needs across the city, including a pivot to provide high quality digital programming over the last two years, while maintaining the value of in-person learning as well. 

The Delivery

Today Tutoring Chicago offers both synchronous digital and in-person tutoring options for nearly 1,000 students with the help of over 1,000 volunteer tutors each week. 

Each student is matched with their own adult volunteer tutor for the school year. Our curriculum and resources are carefully curated by our program staff. Our trained and well-educated adult volunteers provide critical, supplemental education along with developmental experiences and positive relationships, for children in 1st through 8th grades.

The Role

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT; CURRICULUM DIRECTION; RESOURCES AND QUALITY

Lead the organization’s programming and curriculum development employing best practices in learning and teaching for effective and efficient tutoring sessions. 

• Ensure high-quality programming and supportive resources/materials that align with our mission/vision/values/commitments, support our strategic plan and reach our annual goals
• Draft and lead the development, execution, and success of the annual program playbook
• Propose and develop potential new programs or projects that support our strategic plan and as endorsed by the Executive Director
• Adjust current programs as needed in response to student or tutor need, data, feedback, input, opportunity and community 
• Establish and enforce standards for presentation and organization of tutoring resources and materials
• Coordinate special learning events/opportunities for students with program staff
• Lead and coordinate with staff to ensure effective and efficient execution of tutoring sessions
• Facilitate communication of policies, procedures, schedules, and other logistics associated with programming, curriculum, materials, and best practices

LEAD THE PROGRAM STAFF 

• Manage program staff with programming, curriculum development, execution, best practices, materials, tutor training and constituent questions/concerns

OPTIMIZE PROGRAM QUALITY AND EFFICIENCIES 

• Work directly with the Operations Director to coordinate on and create smooth operating systems for programming
• Work directly with the Communications Teams to collaborate on smooth and effective communications for programming and constituents 

MONITOR PROGRESS AND MEASURE IMPACT 

• Lead the evaluation team and program staff in the creation, project management and efficacy of evaluation tools and processes to assure that the evaluations provide quality, useful and timely information
• Reach metrics determined in the annual metrics plan

DEVELOP, INFORM AND TRAIN TUTORS

• Lead the training, support and informing of tutors to optimize student support, growth, and impact
• Create, develop, and maintain the content of the Learning Management System (LMS) Coordinate parent training opportunities with Community Relations Director and program staff

LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 

• Visible presence at tutoring sessions both online and in-person
• Serve as the lead staff member on the program and operations committee of the staff/board of directors 
• Lead and facilitate various sub-committees within the organization 
• Lead and represent the organization as needed on offsite events such as distribution days, volunteer engagement, etc.

The Must-Haves

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in a related field 
• At least two years of teaching experience
• At least two years of non profit management experience
• Experience with and passion for working with students/youth 
• Demonstrated volunteer management experience 
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience 
• Effective communication and organization skills 
• Experienced with technology; online teaching and learning; skilled in technology tools such as Zoom and Google suite
• Flexible schedule and ability to travel independently to and around downtown offices and tutoring sites. Able to balance remote work and office work. Able to be present at online or in-person tutoring at least one evening a week Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday
• Reliable internet access from home or a suitable remote location

The Ideal Candidate

• Experienced educator with degrees and certifications in education 
• Significant leadership experience at a non profit organization, ideally with an education based mission
• A Chicagoan who knows the city, the community and the educational system and partnerships
• Up to date, knowledgeable and considered an expert in tutoring, programming and supplemental education 
• An outgoing personality who models a growth mindset and passion for the mission 
• Forward thinking, strategic thinker, problem solver and decision maker
• Educated and experienced with progress monitoring, evaluation, measurement, best practices, data analysis and reporting
• Educated and experienced with curriculum development and best practices, especially in supplemental education for math and reading
• Educated and experienced with social emotional learning curriculum and best practices, especially for executive functioning, processing and managing emotions 
• Strong project manager especially amidst change, challenges and growth; skillful use of project management tool(s)
• Demonstrated experience developing and working with partners, allies and affiliates 
• Well trusted among others, both internal and external 
• Leads, encourages, monitors, motivates and adapts others 
• Persuasive and informative among many mediums and people; strong communicator 
• Organized and efficient, seeking solutions and continuous improvement of systems, events
• Strong technology skills, teaches them to others as needed and seeks solutions when unsure 
• Experience with Salesforce or similar data management system
• Strong time management, administrative, analytical, and organizational skills
• Self-directed while balancing multiple tasks within a team-based work environment
• Flexible and manage multiple priorities while maintaining high quality of work
• Capable of having difficult conversations and advising others 
• Genuine respect and empathy for all students, parents, volunteers and stakeholders
• Speaks Spanish 

The Details 

• Location: Chicago; manage a blend of in-person and digital tutoring 3 nights per week
• Work: Balance of working remotely and in-office each week. Tutoring Chicago currently has offices and locations in the Loop, the near north side and the near west side. 
• Hours: Full Time; exempt from overtime; average 40 hours/week. At least one to two evenings a week M-W during the school year as needed; summer flexible schedule 
• Benefits: Salary is based on experience; range mid 70’s plus competitive benefits including health, dental, life, retirement and generous/flexible PTO. Tutoring Chicago pays $300/month of insurance premiums. 403b retirement plan with annual match. Tutoring Chicago has a flex PTO plan that averages approximately six weeks off a year. 

The Culture

Tutoring Chicago’s team is small but mighty. Through our collective efforts, thousands of individuals are positively impacted each week, students are confident and growing. The cornerstone of our culture is an environment of mutual respect, collaboration, and growth-centered mindsets and activities. Tutoring Chicago may have the soul of a 55 year old organization, yet our heart beats like that of a startup. Our teams and individuals work to achieve our goals each day guided by our collective north stars. We hold ourselves and our colleagues to high standards, rely on one another and support one another for success. 

All Tutoring Chicago employees are expected to be fully vaccinated and boosted for Covid-19.

This workplace is a smoke and drug-free environment.

The Hiring Process 

Tutoring Chicago is committed to purposeful inclusion in our workplace, and candidates of diverse backgrounds and identities are strongly encouraged to apply. Tutoring Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. This is in accordance with federal and state law.

Please carefully read the must-haves and ideal candidate description before applying. 

January - February:

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by sending their resume and cover letter (required) to [email protected]. Those applying through Linked In or Indeed must submit cover letters as well. 

The screening team at Tutoring Chicago will then send our job application form to highly qualified candidates. 

Following this, initial Zoom meetings with highly qualified candidates will take place. Some candidates may have multiple Zoom meetings scheduled during this time. 

February - March: In person interviews in downtown Chicago 

End of March: New hire finalized