Associate Director of Programs

Associate Director of Programs 

Reports To:  Senior Director of Programs 

Status:  Full-time; Exempt 

Location:  Inland Empire 

Hours of Operation:  9:00 am 6:00 pm; occasional weekends. 

Salary Range: $85,000 - $100,000 annually (based on experience and qualifications) 

Are you passionate about giving back to your community and making a lasting difference in the lives of young people? 

Who We Are: 

In 1922, Woodcraft Rangers opened its doors in Los Angeles and began its mission of guiding young people as they explore pathways to purposeful lives. As a progressive organization, Woodcraft has always been responsive to the evolving needs of the communities served, and is notably inclusive, youth-led, and rooted in the Woodcraft Way, a holistic framework that develops body, mind, spirit, and service. Continuously at the forefront of expanded learning opportunities, Woodcraft Rangers has a rich history of making a significant impact in the greater Los Angeles area, believing that all youth are innately good, deserve the opportunity to realize their full potential, and should be an active participant in defining their own path.  

What We Do:  

Woodcraft Rangers provides TK-12 expanded learning programs, including before and after school, specialty enrichment, and summer learning. In the past few years, Woodcraft has expanded its menu of services beyond traditional afterschool programs and summer camps to include early learning, environmental and social justice, college access, and inclusion services for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Additionally, we offer LifeCraft, a college and career advancement program to support the development of approximately 2,250 staff. Today, Woodcraft Rangers serves more than 30,000 youth ages 4 to 18 each year across 150 plus Title I schools in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, and continues to expand its reach. 

Ideal Candidate: 

The ideal Associate Director of Programs is a mission-driven leader with demonstrated experience in youth development, expanded learning, and team management. They thrive in a collaborative environment, are flexible and innovative in problem-solving, and have the ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams. This person balances strong organizational management skills with the ability to build relationships with partners, parents, school administrators, and community leaders. 

Why Work for Woodcraft Rangers: 

• Competitive salary 

• Paid vacation & sick time – generous time off to recharge 

• Lifecraft program – free college & career advancement for all staff 

• Upward mobility – promote-from-within culture 

• Health, dental & vision – comprehensive benefits coverage 

• 403(b) retirement plan – invest in your future 

• Pet insurance – because your whole family matters 

• Mission-driven work – impact 30,000 + young people annually 

Role Overview: 

The Associate Director of Programs oversees Woodcraft Rangers’ expanded learning and intersessional programs, including staffing, budgets, marketing, partner relationships, and professional development. This role supervises Program Managers who oversee school sites and ensures that Site Coordinators are equipped to deliver safe, high-quality, and engaging programs. The Associate Director is also responsible for program growth, including the expansion of ELOP, TK, and universal access offerings, while ensuring compliance with all contractual and organizational goals. 

Responsibilities: 

• Oversee all school partnerships and regional programs, including annual budget planning, strategic planning, registration goals, curriculum development, and data management. 

• Plan, implement, and expand new and existing learning programs, including summer and intersessional offerings. 

• Lead employee recruitment, hiring, and staffing plans in partnership with HR. 

• Supervise Program Managers and ensure Site Coordinators deliver high-quality, compliant, and safe programs. 

• Conduct program observations with Program Managers to assess quality and provide feedback. 

• Develop program budgets and plans that address student and community needs. 

• Ensure all programs meet fiscal and programmatic compliance requirements. 

• Provide periodic program updates (stories, photos, impact highlights) to district and school leadership. 

• Enhance early education programming, especially for TK–K offerings. 

• Collaborate with Learning & Development to design and implement staff training. 

• Partner with Communications and Development teams to craft narratives that illustrate program impact. 

• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, including school leaders, district partners, and community organizations. 

• Inspire a culture of teamwork and excellence across all levels of program staff. 

• Other responsibilities as assigned. 

Qualifications/Skills: 

Required

• Bachelor’s degree with 2+ years of supervisory experience in a similar role OR 5+ years of management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  

• Proven track record of effectively leading youth programs and managing teams.  

• Strong organizational management and project management skills. 

• Commitment to data-driven program evaluation and continuous quality improvement. 

• Ability to work collaboratively and independently while managing multiple projects. 

• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build credibility and trust with staff, partners, and community stakeholders.  

• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.  

• Energetic, ambitious, and goal-oriented with a creative approach to problem-solving.  

• Strong written and oral communication skills.  

• Excellent analytical and organizational abilities.  

• Customer-service mindset with ability to resolve challenges diplomatically.  

• Ability to inspire and mentor high-performance teams.  

Physical Demands: 

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the following physical demands may be essential for the effective performance of this position. Reasonable accommodation will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions: 

You may modify the Physical Demands based on the job role.  

• Frequent standing is required during working hours 

• The ability to travel across the Inland Empire area, using either a car or public transportation, is necessary several times a month.  

• Regular use of hands for various tasks, such as operating a computer and handling objects, is essential.  

• Must be able to occasionally lift/move up to 40 pounds.  

• Reasonable accommodation is available for individuals with disabilities.  

Work Environment: 

We are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and will actively consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals to effectively perform their roles. This position operates in environments typical of the following key aspects: 

You may modify the Work Environment based on the job role. 

• Regular exposure to computer monitors during work. 

• The typical noise level of a standard work environment. 

• Stable internet access is required for effective work-from-home performance. 

Woodcraft Rangers provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief, color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breastfeeding), age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, transitioning status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. We also prohibit discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.