This temporary, six-month position will provide leadership and continuity for Just A Start’s Adult Career Training team during a maternity leave. The Interim Director’s immediate priorities are staff supervision, consistent program delivery, progress on the team’s 2027 implementation plan, financial oversight, and coordination with colleagues across the organization. The ideal candidate will be available to join the team full-time in early November 2026 and will remain in the position until approximately the end of April 2027. 

KEY ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead the team and maintain daily operations

• Supervise a team of 17 full- and part- time employees, including Associate Directors, Managers, Leads, and other staff, with five direct reports. Hold weekly check-ins with direct reports and support other staff members as needed.
• Oversee the daily program schedule and operations, addressing needs or issues as they arise to ensure high-quality, consistent programming.
• Lead regular full-time team meetings and monthly all-team meetings that include part-time instructors. Support staff troubleshooting and professional development as needed.
• Check in with the Operations team (the Community Outreach and Recruitment Lead and the Data and Program Support Lead) on alternating weeks, with individual meetings one week and a team meeting the next.
• Approve PTO on an ongoing basis and biweekly hours in Paycom.

Advance the 2027 Adult Career Training Implementation plan

• Oversee progress on the 2027 implementation plan for the whole team and on individual year-end goals, both related and unrelated to the plan. Check progress during weekly meetings, help troubleshoot, and connect staff with organizational resources, with a focus on Q1 deliverables and needed setup for Q2.
• Support implementation of Just A Start’s 2027 workforce development strategy to increase trainee economic mobility through access to career training and support. Ensure program offerings remain aligned with trainee and industry needs, Just A Start’s mission, and its five-year strategic plan.
• Oversee operations across trainee recruitment and the program pipeline; data collection and analysis through Salesforce and other systems; academic programming and teacher support; trainee support and referrals; and alumni and career programming. Support program evaluation and revisions as needed.

Manage the budget and existing partnerships

• Ensure adherence to the established FY27 budget, including oversight of teacher hours, educational materials purchasing, and team requests for funds. 
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Programs and the Associate Director of Institutional Giving, ensure grant deliverables are completed and reported on, data supports program goals and contract requirements, and grant budgets align with the overall program budget. Identify and raise any concerns or opportunities. 
• Ensure timely submission of monthly accounting reconciliations by team members, including submission of receipts and coding for credit card and invoiced purchases.
• Oversee existing industry, foundation, community, and employer partnerships with the relevant staff leaders. Ensure quarterly reports and grant deliverables are submitted on time.

Coordinate across the organization

• Partner with the Director of Learning and Evaluation and the Associate Director of Operations and Growth to support data collection, evaluation, and program revision. Ensure the team is engaged with and responsive to Learning and Evaluation needs, including data requirements related to program goals and contract deliverables.
• Partner with the development team on grant and funder requests, including narratives, data, and alumni guest speakers for events.
• Relay progress, challenges, and needs for support to the Senior Director of Programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

We are looking for an experienced program leader who can step into an established team, build trust quickly, and keep priorities moving during a six-month interim assignment. The ideal candidate brings:

• People leadership: Experience supervising managers and multidisciplinary teams, providing clear direction and support while allowing staff to lead their areas of expertise.
• Operational judgment: The ability to manage competing needs, resolve day-to-day issues, and maintain consistent, high-quality programming.
• Planning and follow-through: Skill in tracking goals and deliverables, identifying obstacles early, and helping a team make progress against an established plan.
• Financial and grant oversight: Experience managing program budgets, monitoring grant requirements, and ensuring deliverables and reports are completed accurately and on time.
• Collaboration and communication: The ability to work effectively with program staff and colleagues across the organization to clearly communicate progress and concerns. Build rapport and collaborative relationships quickly.
• Data-informed decision-making: The ability to use program data to assess progress, meet reporting requirements, and guide improvements.

COMPENSATION AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is a temporary, 37.5-hour-per-week hybrid position with an anticipated duration of six months. The annualized salary range is $100,000-$110,000, prorated for the length of the assignment. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with a minimum of three days in the office. Occasional evening availability may be required for events and other organizational activities.

Just A Start is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Our staff represents a wide range of ages, races, interests, and backgrounds coming together in pursuit of common goals.  We value diversity and work together to create an inclusive culture where people from all backgrounds can thrive and belong.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics or any other characteristic protected by law.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job: The employee must have sufficient mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer, and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.  Specific vision abilities required include ability to read printed materials and a computer screen, close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.