Job Title: Director of Programs (In-Office)
Supervisor: Chief Program Officer
Department: Education & Training
Date of Posting: April 2023
The Position
Reporting to the Chief Program Officer, the Director of Programs manages all activities and functions associated with Educational Programs at VisionLink. The Director is responsible for the operational and administrative work in the planning, development, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of education and training programs. The Director ensures that program goals and objectives are accomplished in accordance with established priorities and in alignment with the mission of VisionLink, through person-centered planning. The Director will accomplish the activities of the role while modeling VisionLink’s commitment to promoting independence, skill-building, collaboration, dignity, and respect.
The position is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Essential Functions:
- Provide leadership and support to Education staff, including pedagogical guidance, feedback, and program evaluation
- Provide instructional support in the design, application, and delivery of new and existing educational programs
- Collaborate with staff and confer with subject matter experts to maximize the impact of VisionLink educational programs based on VisionLink course objectives
- Analyze and apply trends and best practices in curriculum development and administration, and instructional design
- Oversee the organizational goals of educational programming and develop the strategies to accomplish them, including scheduling and evaluation
- Monitor and track programs and participants’ progress through each program, including the use of operational tracking systems
- Identify, recruit, and hire (with support) instructors for the educational programming
- Provide processes to assure continuous improvement based on participant and student feedback and adherence to best practices
- Manage metrics related to program participation, participant goal development and attainment, and additional quantitative and qualitative information as required; develop and maintain KPI, statistical, and outcome reports
- Manage and track department budget and expenses
- Model professional conduct and leadership with an abiding commitment to a positive and constructive interface VisionLink staff, program participants, volunteers, and organizational partners
- Provide a welcoming, safe, accessible, and inclusive environment for learning for all participants, staff, and stakeholders
- Willingness to learn the nuances of the Vision Loss community and develop a nuanced sensibility for the needs of the VisionLink targeted population.
- Communicate effectively and efficiently, verbally and in writing
- Perform special projects and other duties as assigned
Managerial Responsibilities:
- VisionLink Instructors
- Contracted Instructors
Qualifications and Experience:
- Experience with program evaluation and the metrics associated with educational impact
- Minimum of five (5) years in a supervisory capacity and/or organizational leadership experience
- The ability to work independently with little supervision
- Experience with cloud-based software; Salesforce preferred
- Intermediate experience using Microsoft Excel
- Experience working in the disability community, healthcare setting, or related field preferred
- Bachelor’s degree required in health, social services, or education-related fields
- Master’s degree preferred, with a combination of appropriate education/experience
- Non-profit experience preferred
- Operational experience is a plus
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
VisionLink is fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We embrace the diversity within our organization and within the multi-faceted community we serve. We embrace the principles of equity, fairness, and inclusion and we remain committed to best practices for providing anyone, anywhere on the vision loss continuum with the education, tools, and wrap-around services that they need to navigate their communities, manage their specific visual challenges, and live their fullest lives.
At VisionLink we realize that there are many forms of diversity including racial, gender, sexual identity, cultural, religious, economic, ability, and disability, and we work diligently to be open and welcoming to all. Our work is collaborative – with those we serve, with our professional staff, with healthcare professionals, with community partner organizations, and with other human services agencies regionally and nationally. We believe that this collaborative framework, across disciplines and communities, as well as our commitment to serving those with vision loss makes our organizational efforts more diverse, more equitable, more inclusive, and more sustainable over time.
VisionLink’s Person-Centered Focus:
We believe all individuals participating in VisionLink programming should take part in the development of personal goals tailored to how they wish to live and function with the level of vision they possess. Participants should be supported to learn new skills to help achieve their goals based on the best practices instituted and approved by VisionLink.
VisionLink is an Equal Opportunity Employer:
VisionLink is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring and professional development practices that embrace the principles of equity, fairness, and inclusion in order to build a diverse staff and support a diverse community.
How to Apply:
Please send your resume to Beth Deering, Chief Program Officer, at beth.deering@visionlinkphl.org.