Director of Programs

Director of Programs 

History

Compass was founded in 2011 as a ministry of Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church to serve homeless children in Springfield Public Schools - District 186. From 2012-2016, Compass was a program of the Family Service Center and expanded the initial model to more schools, recruited additional partners, and added the Camp Compass summer learning program and Backpack Feeding Program. In 2016, Compass for Kids became an independent not-for-profit agency whose mission is to provide academic and social-emotional support to empower children and families underserved by our community. Our vision is that all children in our community experience success and reach their full potential. For more information, please visit compassforkids.org. 

Background

Currently, Compass for Kids has three main programs including Club Compass,  Camp Compass, and the Youth Leadership Development Program. 

1) Club Compass, the school-year program for elementary students, focuses on social-emotional learning, enrichment, and volunteer-student mentoring relationships. 

2) Camp Compass, the summer learning program for elementary-age children, prevents learning loss and closes the achievement and opportunity gaps between low-income students and their higher-income peers. This summer learning program, in partnership with Springfield Public Schools – District 186, has a proven track record of measurably increasing students’ reading and math skills.

3) Youth Leadership Development Program (YLDP), the program for middle and high school alumni of Club Compass will prepare middle and high school alumni of Club Compass to graduate from high school and be ready to achieve their dreams. The YLDP does this through utilizing an evidence-based social-emotional curriculum, Life and Job Skills classes, field trips, and community service learning.

Job Summary

Compass for Kids is a local, volunteer-driven, community-based, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Compass for Kids is unique and exists to meet needs in our community that are not met by other programs/organizations. Compass for Kids has innovative programs and is committed to high standards of excellence and continuous quality improvement.

The Director of Programs is primarily focused on overseeing and ensuring the quality and effectiveness of our programs. The successful candidate will be a highly capable professional skilled in multiple areas, able to work independently with minimal supervision and take initiative, leadership, and responsibility over their work. The successful candidate will also be detail-oriented, organized, and excellent at backwards planning and project management. The Director of Programs manages both year-round and seasonal employees;  effective management and leadership skills, as well as clear and effective communication skills are critical. The successful candidate will also be adaptable, creative, and have a strong drive to do what’s best for kids.

Reports to

Chief Operating Officer 

Responsibilities

Program Planning & Oversight

• Club Compass (25%) 

  • Social-Emotional Learning

  • Community Partners

  • Backpack Feeding Program 

  • Family Engagement

• Youth Leadership Development Program  (25%)

  • Social-Emotional Learning

  • Community Partners

  • Backpack Feeding Program 

  • Family Engagement

• Camp Compass  (50%)

  • Academics

  • Social-Emotional Learning / Enrichment / Field Trips 

  • Backpack Feeding Program

  • Family Engagement 

Human Resources

• Develop, review, and update program team job descriptions annually

• Lead recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and training processes

• Conduct interviews and facilitate selection

• Oversee performance management, including regular check-ins, quarterly reviews, and annual evaluations

Volunteer Management

• Recruit, onboard, and retain volunteers

• Establish and maintain volunteer policies and procedures

• Implement appreciation and recognition strategies

• Maintain accurate volunteer records

Data Tracking  and Program Evaluation 

• Collect and analyze pre- and post-program assessment data

• Prepare reports for grants and program evaluation

Community Outreach and Engagement

• Represent Compass for Kids through presentations to churches, civic groups, and organizations

• Develop partnerships with local businesses and organizations

• Participate in community networking events

Finance

• Assist with program and project budget development

• Support payroll processing and timesheet management

Development and Fundraising

• Cultivate relationships with donors and support stewardship efforts

• Assist in planning and executing special events (e.g., Back-to-School Brunch, Camp Stakeholder Event)

• Coordinate donor thank-you communications

Marketing and Communications

• Collect content for social media, newsletters, and the Annual Report

• Document and share [strengths-based] success stories

• Develop program-specific marketing materials and advertisements in conjunction with Marketing Department

General 

• Align work with Compass for Kids’ Strategic Plan

• Develop and maintain program policies, procedures, and processes

• Implement continuous quality improvement efforts

• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to comfortably engage with both individuals and large crowds

• Excellent relationship-building skills and high emotional intelligence

• Strong technical and computer skills (e.g. Google Sheets, Google Drive, Microsoft Office, Google Calendar), phone, copier/scanner/printer 

• Excellent time management and organizational planning skills with the ability to backwards plan and to manage multiple responsibilities under pressure

• Attention to detail

• Ability to handle stress in a positive manner

• Work independently with minimal direction; a quick learner and self starter 

• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds

• Ability to work well with different teams, as well as independently

• Ability to peacefully resolve conflict

Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree, preferred

• At least three years of experience with children, required 

• At least two years of supervisory experience, required 

• Not-for-profit experience, preferred

• Valid driver’s license, dependable transportation, and car insurance 

• Ability to pass a background check

Compensation 

This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position. The pay range is between $55,000 - $70,000 per year, depending on education and experience. 

Benefits Included: 

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Simple IRA Retirement Plan (after one year of employment) with up to 3% match

• Health Insurance,  Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance,  and Life Insurance

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care FSA

• Short- and Long-Term Disability Coverage

Schedule

Regular business hours are 8:30 - 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Evenings and/or weekends will be required during peak season and/or for special events, and those hours can be offset by flexing time. 

Location

The candidate must reside in Springfield, Illinois, or the surrounding area. This role requires in-person engagement, site visits, and participation in community events. Some remote work may be permitted after meeting performance expectations, subject to supervisor approval per Compass for Kids’ Flexible Work Policy.

How to Apply

Send a cover letter and resume to: 

Sarah Oglesby

1201 S. 4th St

Springfield, IL 62703

sarah@compassforkids.org