JUST A START CORPORATION

Senior Director of Programs

Type:    Exempt, Full-Time

Reports to: Executive Director

Location: 430 Rindge Avenue, Suite #301, Cambridge, MA

Position Summary

Just A Start is seeking a dynamic and mission-driven Senior Director of Programs to lead and strengthen our programs, which provide critical support to individuals and families striving for housing stability, financial security, and economic mobility. This new role was created to advance Just A Start’s strategic goal of better integrating our housing, workforce development, and financial opportunity programs, which together employ 40+ of Just A Start’s 65+ staff members.

We are seeking a strategic leader and collaborator who is passionate about housing and economic mobility, skilled in program management, and committed to fostering a culture of innovation, impact, and inclusion. Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with the Leadership Team, the Senior Director of Programs will develop and execute strategies for program expansion, enhancement, and integration to support economic mobility among the people we serve. This role has both internal and external responsibilities, including leadership and direct supervision of the Directors of Housing Services, Adult Career Training, Youth Programs, and the Manager of Financial Opportunity. The Senior Director of Programs will also partner with the Directors of Finance & Administration, Philanthropy, People and Culture, and Evaluation & Learning, to address operational, financial, and organizational opportunities and challenges.

Organizational Background

Just A Start believes that access to stable housing and sustainable careers are the essential building blocks of equitable communities. For 57 years, we have addressed the fundamental needs of individuals and families who have been systemically denied opportunities to realize their full potential.

Just A Start has a $10 million annual operating budget. Our programs include affordable housing, education and job training, and comprehensive support services spanning Cambridge, MA and beyond. We have developed and currently operate 645 affordable apartments. We also provide financial and technical assistance to support stable housing for low- and moderate-income tenants and homeowners. We prepare individuals of all ages and circumstances with the skills and knowledge they need to secure family-sustaining careers, leveraging their talents to achieve economic mobility and strengthen the region’s workforce. Finally, we provide financial opportunity coaching to help people achieve financial stability and prosperity.

Just A Start’s recently completed strategic plan reaffirms our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the people we serve, including doubling the number of people we train in our adult career training programs, expanding career pathway options for Youth Programs students, substantially expanding our portfolio of affordable homes, and increasing the number of people we serve through our housing services and financial opportunity programs. The plan outlines the integrated, participant-centered and data-driven approach we will take. It also reaffirms our commitment to running the organization and doing our work consistent with our diversity, equity and inclusion principles.

Essential Functions and Impact Areas

1. Program Leadership, Strategy, and Oversight (60%):

• Provide strategic oversight and leadership for Just A Start’s Housing Services, Adult Career Training, Youth Programs, and Financial Opportunity programs to ensure high-quality, mission-aligned outcomes.
• In coordination with the Executive Director and Leadership Team, play a key role in the overall development, strategic planning, service delivery, financial feasibility and sustainability, and management of the organization across departments.
• Continuously scan markets and sector trends to identify and pursue opportunities and keep programs responsive and relevant.
• Work with the Director of Philanthropy, Executive Director and the Resource Development Department regarding all aspects of fundraising, including aligning program growth with fundraising strategies and opportunities.
• In partnership with Program Directors and the Director of Finance & Administration, set financial goals, develop and manage budgets, ensure that programs comply with funder requirements, and are positioned for long-term sustainability.
• Work with the Director of Finance and Administration and the Director of People & Culture to ensure that administrative and operational systems and processes support programmatic goals, including program integration.
• Work closely with the Director of Evaluation & Learning to develop and implement logic models, outcome and output monitoring and tracking to measure the impact of Just A Start’s programs.
• Manage and support three Program Directors and one Program Manager in setting and achieving team goals.
• Hold regular check-ins with Program Directors to track progress, offer guidance, and assure accountability.
• Drive cross-program collaboration; convene and lead Program Directors’ meetings as needed.
• Provide opportunities and support for staff professional development.
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

2. Team Leadership and Supervision (20%)

• Manage and support three Program Directors and one Program Manager in setting and achieving team goals.
• Hold regular check-ins with Program Directors to track progress, offer guidance, and assure accountability.
• Drive cross-program collaboration; convene and lead Program Directors’ meetings as needed.
• Provide opportunities and support for staff professional development.

3. Partnerships, Advocacy, and Thought Leadership (15%)

• Serve as a visible ambassador for Just A Start by cultivating relationships with funders, partners, and peer organizations, and by elevating the organization’s impact and expertise through committee work, task forces, public speaking, and participation in community and sector convenings.
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships that advance Just A Start’s mission, expand its reach, and strengthen its position within the housing, workforce, and financial opportunity sectors.
• Monitor and analyze policy developments, including the impact of current federal and state policies on funding streams, and advise the Executive Director and Leadership Team on implications for Just A Start’s programs.
• Lead and participate in advocacy and coalition-building efforts, ensuring that Just A Start effectively represents both organizational priorities and the voices of the communities we serve.

4. Other Duties (5%)   

• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Qualifications and Keys to Success

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• A minimum of 7-10 years of progressive management experience in a nonprofit, foundation, or government setting, including experience supervising program directors and multi-level teams.
• Proven ability to lead and inspire high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams with a collaborative and mission-driven leadership style.
• Demonstrated experience in organizational development and change management.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable goals, systems, and daily operations.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills, with experience using data and evaluation to drive program improvement and strategic planning.
• Skilled in managing multiple complex projects, balancing competing priorities, and meeting deadlines.
• Experience in fiscal management, including resource allocation and budget oversight.
• Successful track record of partnering with resource development teams and supporting fundraising efforts.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• High emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills, with tact, diplomacy, and cultural competence.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite and comfort with technology to support organizational efficiency.

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. Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate.

Salary and Benefits

This is a 37.5-hour per week hybrid remote/in-the-office position with a salary range of $150,000-$170,000. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST, with a minimum of 3 days in the office, with team meetings at the office on Mondays.

In addition to a competitive salary, Just A Start offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical insurance, dental insurance, short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, life insurance, transportation benefits, early release at 2:00 PM every Friday, 20 PTO days in the first year, 13 paid holidays, volunteer time off, employee assistance program and a 401k savings plan with a 3% employer contribution.

About Just A Start

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.

We welcome applications from all locations; however, we can only hire individuals who reside in Massachusetts or can establish MA residency by their start date.