Program Director

About First Literacy
Can you imagine not being able to read an email? Or not knowing how to sign your name legibly? That is the reality for 32,000,000 people in the United States. In Massachusetts alone, 17% of adults are considered at risk for difficulties using and comprehending print material.

At First Literacy, we are committed to helping adults in Massachusetts improve their literacy skills so they can succeed in every aspect of their lives. This means helping adult learners continue their education and championing the incredible teachers that are on the front lines of the fight for adult literacy. Through our free professional development workshops for teachers, grants for innovative new programs, and scholarships for adults continuing to higher education or vocational training, we support the continuum of Adult Basic Education and help adult learners achieve their full potential.

Learn more about First Literacy at https://firstliteracy.org/.

Program Director Position
The Program Director is the key part of the First Literacy team, which currently consists of an Executive Director, Marketing and Communications Director, Development Manager, Office Manager, Scholar Support Coordinator, and Administrative Assistant.

The Program Director is responsible for planning, executing, managing, and reporting on First Literacy’s three areas of programming:

· Professional Development Workshops

· First Literacy Grants

· First Literacy Scholarships Program

The Program Director is also responsible for facilitating regular meetings with First Literacy’s Community Advisory Council and communicating with the Education Committee and full Board of Directors on programming activities. Other duties include providing technical support to grantees and representing First Literacy off site at Adult Literacy conferences as well as adult literacy advocacy and networking meetings and events.

· Plan and execute an academic-year calendar of professional development workshops, mini-courses, and information sessions, both in-person and remote, for Adult Basic Education staff and volunteers of Massachusetts non-profit ABE and ESOL program organizations

· Identify workshop topics of interest for the next academic year through formal surveys, workshop participant feedback, networking in the field, and community collaborations

· Secure knowledgeable presenters to address selected topics of interest

· Plan PD opportunities for “extended reach” effort beyond Greater Boston

· Conduct personal outreach to programs throughout MA to build awareness and expand reach, through attending conferences, meetings, visiting community programs, etc.

· Participate in collaborative efforts, as appropriate, with community-based organizations

· Responsible for all aspects of workshop from initial contact with presenters through post workshop

· Oversee the annual grant award and reporting process

· Provide technical assistance to grantees as projects are implemented

· Conduct site visits for each project

· Plan and facilitate First Literacy’s annual “Spotlight on Innovation” event

· Collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data on grants’ project effectiveness and impact

· Oversee the scholarship award process, including release of application materials, evaluating candidates, and notifying the Board and candidates of award decisions

· Coordinate the First Literacy Scholarship Awards ceremony

· Organize workshops to facilitate peer mentoring, including an annual orientation and winter meeting

· Provide additional support to scholars throughout the school year, including additional workshops, informal meetings, and other means

· Collect and analyze data on scholarship recipients and impact of scholarship initiative

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s in relevant field preferred

• At least five years’ relevant experience

· Familiarity with current professional development practices and adult learning theory

• Flexibility as a team player

• Experience with CRM software preferred, and willingness to learn our CRM (Civi) required

• Comfort with Microsoft Suite including Excel

This is a Full-time Exempt position, with salary range between $80,000-$84,000, depending on experience. First Literacy contributes 5% of salary to a 403B plan after three months of employment. Health benefits are not available for this position.

Generous vacation and holidays, as well as flexible work options available. This hybrid position allows for both in-office and home office work; however, the Program Director is expected to work at the First Literacy office half of their time.

· Please submit resume

· In lieu of a cover letter, please answer each of the following questions, each in 200 words or less:

o Why are you interested in this position?

o How does a role such as this contribute to the mission of First Literacy?

o What does Adult Literacy mean to you?

Please send resume and responses to Terry Witherell, Executive Director, at twitherell@firstliteracy.org