Director of Program

Are you passionate about igniting young minds and fostering early literacy? Strong Start® Charitable Organization is seeking a Director of Program to join our team and make a difference in young lives. Our charitable organization is committed to empowering children with the fundamental skill of reading, unlocking doors to a brighter future.

**As the Director of Program, you will play a pivotal role in leading our established programs, **_Baby Connections_**®, **_Get Ready for School_**, and **_Letters, Sounds, and Words_**. You will also help drive the growth of Strong Start through the development of new partnerships and innovative programs, collaborating closely with school board decision-makers and community organizations, to ensure our programs reach and empower those who need them most.**:** Responsibilities Overview**:

- Provide oversight and leadership of Strong Start’s programs to ensure quality delivery, program fidelity, and brand adherence.
- Evaluate programs and processes with a commitment to continuous improvement.
- Lead, mentor, and inspire team members to reach their full potential, fostering a culture in line with Strong Start’s core values of relationships, excellence, accountability, and dynamic.
- Develop and nurture meaningful relationships with key stakeholders including program partners (school boards, post-secondary institutions, community centres, libraries, etc.), community organizations, volunteers, donors, employees, etc.
- Research prospective partners and Early Literacy programming in regions across Ontario and in other markets.
- Explore and assess potential program opportunities, conducting thorough research and analysis to identify strategic initiatives for advancement.
- Provide leadership as the interim Regional Program Co-ordinator during program start-up in a new region and until a local Program Co-ordinator is hired.
- Work collaboratively as a member of the Senior Leadership Team of Strong Start along with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Director of Development & Communications.

**Qualifications/Skills/Requirements**:

- University or College degree/diploma in Education, Early Literacy, or related field.
- Master of Education or graduate degree in a related field of study would be an asset.
- Experience in elementary school administration or curriculum coordination (preferred).
- Subject matter expertise related to the field of early literacy including but not limited to Science of Reading, Ontario Right to Read Report, and Ministry of Education curriculum.
- Demonstrated ability in building relationships, strategic alliances and partnerships with school boards, post-secondary institutions, and community organizations.
- Proven track record of building high-performing teams, nurturing talent, and fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Demonstrated history of success delivering measurable results and driving performance improvements, with a focus on achieving strategic objectives and exceeding expectations.
- Commitment to integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in all professional endeavors, serving as a role model for ethical leadership practices.
- Strong networking skills, with the ability to cultivate and leverage relationships to advance organizational objectives, expand partnerships, and identify opportunities for collaboration.
- Proven ability to deliver presentations, speeches, or workshops confidently and effectively to diverse audiences, engaging and captivating listeners.
- Consistently demonstrate a keen eye for detail, ensuring accuracy and precision in all tasks, from data entry to document preparation.
- Proven ability to effectively prioritize tasks, manage time efficiently, and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously to meet deadlines and achieve objectives.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365.
- Valid driver's license and the ability to lift 30 lbs.

**Why Join Us**:

- Competitive salary ($80,000 to $90,000 annually) with benefits.
- A collaborative and supportive in-person work environment fostering growth and development.
- Meaningful work that makes a difference in children's lives.
- Strong Start values diversity and provides accommodation throughout the recruitment process.
- Be a part of our mission to empower young learners through literacy.

Strong Start is committed to protecting the privacy of the personal information of its employees, volunteers, members, children, parents/guardians, donors, partners, and other stakeholders, by following responsible information handling practices in keeping with privacy laws. We recently updated our Privacy Notice, so please read our Privacy Notice here.