DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS, RAISING A READER®
(FULL TIME/EXEMPT)

JOB SUMMARY

Created from the merger of Peninsula Community Foundation and Community Foundation Silicon Valley, Silicon Valley Community Foundation brings together the complementary strengths of each foundation to create a greater impact than either could realize alone. As a result, the community foundation will emerge as a center for philanthropy providing world-class services to donors and nonprofits and inspiring greater civic participation throughout the San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

The Raising A Reader® mission is to foster healthy brain development, parent-child bonding, and early literacy skills by engaging parents in a routine of daily “book cuddling” with their children from birth to age five. The initiative officer reports to the early learning and education initiative director for local responsibilities, and collaborates with Raising A Reader national headquarters on research and development of Raising A Reader programmatic best practices.

Raising A Reader national headquarters designs, evaluates and trains licensed affiliate organizations to implement a parent involvement “read-aloud” program anchored to research about human behavior and an understanding of social sector change. The national organization operates a train-the-trainer model and works with a number of publishers and vendors to produce and sell training materials and book bag kits, tailored to a variety of age, cultural and language demographics.
San Mateo County Raising A Reader began as a pilot model, which is now replicated across 35 states in over 180 communities. With over 131 Raising A Reader affiliates across the country, the local S an Mateo County program continues to serve as a research and development laboratory for the national movement. For more information, please visit www.raisingareader.org

Reporting to the executive director, the director of programs will lead the national programmatic efforts needed to establish program excellence in Raising A Reader programs nationally. As a member of the senior management team, this individual will be involved in strategic planning, evaluation, professional development initiatives and the development and implementation of special projects to maintain the highest standards of excellence in early childhood programming.

Salary range: $95K-105K annually commensurate with experience.

SCOPE

The program director will provide direct supervision to programs staff and provide support for growth and sustainability of the nationwide network. This individual will oversee the content-based support, training, and literature selection efforts of the national office. Finally, this individual will maintain a leadership role in the development and implementation of strategic plans approved by RAR’s National Board of Directors.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide leadership and supervision for the national office program team.
• Lead nationwide program excellence efforts through a system of evaluation and continuous quality improvement.
• Oversee development of content and affiliate training programs for nationwide network.
• Oversee the literature selection process for RAR.
• Supervise efforts associated with nationwide affiliate communications including newsletters, e-mail, conference calls, discussion boards, and content included on the website.
• Assist in efforts to enhance RAR’s position as a national thought leader in early childhood education and family engagement.
• Function effectively as a member of RAR’s senior management team, insuring efficient working relationships between programs and other RAR departments.
• Oversight of assessment, evaluation and continuous quality improvement procedures, to maintain quality of affiliate programs.
• Collaborative support for fundraising efforts.
• Represent RAR at local, regional, and national conferences.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Up to 20% travel required.
  

QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate degree in early childhood education or related field required.
• Terminal degree (EdD, PhD) in early childhood or related field highly preferred.
• 7+ years progressive successful leadership experience in nonprofit environment.
• 5+ years direct service to children and/or families.
• Successful experience supervising staff and leading a team to achieve established goals.
• Active membership and/or significant contributions (i.e., presentations, publications, etc..) to the field of early literacy or related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to compete for and win federal grant awards a plus
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to think critically and creatively solve problems.
• Enthusiasm and energy to reach ambitious goals.
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment characteristics and the physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while successfully performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee regularly stands. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent in this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Submit a cover letter explaining your interest in the position and what you would bring to Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Send cover letter and resume as Word documents via email only to humanresources@siliconvalleycf.org with the position title "Director of Programs" in the email subject line.

Application deadline: open until filled.

Silicon Valley Community Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.