Director of Program Partnerships

At Summer Search, we believe in 'No Ceilings' and envision a world in which young people, regardless of circumstances, can chart their own destiny. In the United States, students from underserved communities – disproportionately BIPOC and first-generation – face systemic inequities in school, in the workforce, and in life. Nevertheless, these young people possess unique strengths, resilience, and limitless potential.

Since 1990, Summer Search has partnered with young people during their transition from adolescence into adulthood by connecting them to expansive opportunities, professional mentoring, and a community of support. Summer Searchers recognize their potential and build a toolkit to navigate and challenge systemic barriers, break new ground for their families and communities, and achieve economic equity and a life of purpose.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Director of Program Partnerships (DPP) will be the leader in building and strengthening partnerships in the community vital to Summer Search NYC’s success and play a crucial role in recruiting prospective Summer Searchers, providing transformative summer experiences, and keeping participants engaged with Summer Search year over year.

The DPP will lead a team of six and report to Summer Search NYC’s Regional Program Director. This dynamic role allows for the opportunity to work closely with site leadership to set program strategy, lead a skilled team, and act as a representative for Summer Search in the community, partnering with a diverse group of partners including high schools, universities, summer programs, and community-based organizations.

This new role offers an exciting opportunity for a relationship builder and strategic leader to make an impact in an established program currently serving 480 NYC high school and post-secondary participants in FY25.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Specifically, the Director of Program Partnerships will be responsible for the following:

Team Leadership & Strategy

• Manage, coach, and develop a team of six, including four direct reports: a Regional Outreach Manager, Summer Experience Manager, and two Career Navigator & Internship Managers.
• Ensure alignment across team efforts to meet goals around outreach, student engagement, and summer experiences.
• Collaborate with the New York leadership team to outline and execute the vision and strategy for student recruitment, summer programs and career and internship programming.

Participant Recruitment

• Recruit 140 high school sophomores for this coming program year.
• Create and implement targeted outreach campaigns to attract students who benefit from Summer Search.
• Build a strong network by cultivating relationships with schools and community-based organizations to create pipelines for recruitment.
• Lead informational sessions, workshops, and participate in career fairs to increase awareness and engagement with potential students and families.
• Ensure a smooth and supportive experience for prospective participants throughout the application process, providing tailored support to remove barriers that prevent students from applying and ensuring equitable access to Summer Search.

Partnership Development & Management

• Strategically establish, nurture, and expand partnerships with educational institutions, community organizations, and businesses that support Summer Search’s long-term outcomes and goals.
• Collaborate with partners on joint initiatives, leveraging resources and expertise to strengthen program outcomes.
• Network with local communities and professionals to identify new partnership opportunities and enhance Summer Search NYC’s visibility.
• Maintain strong communication with existing partners, regularly assess partnership success, and report on impact and outcomes.

WHO YOU ARE

The Director of Program Partnerships position calls for a strategic relationship builder who will cultivate a positive, high performing, and collaborative team environment. Specifically, this hire will bring:

• EXPERIENCE: 8+ years of professional experience including focused experience in community engagement, partnership building or a related function at a non-profit. At least 3 years of people management experience required.
• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: You cultivate relationships with individuals, communities and organizations as a central part of your work. You demonstrate an ability to respectfully center the culture of the communities you engage.
• PEOPLE MANAGEMENT: You coach, guide and support members of your team towards achieving individual and collective goals. As a leader you embody practices to effectively hold space, facilitate professional growth, amplify strengths, and hold staff members accountable. Your management style reflects your ability to be adaptive, responsive, and supportive of your team to show up as their authentic and full self.
• CHANGE MANAGEMENT: You have a desire to learn, grow and improve with an evolving organization. You prioritize transparency and communication and recognize that it is critical to supporting others to thrive amidst change.
• PROJECT MANAGEMENT: You take initiative to create systems and structures to achieve goals and objectives. You succeed at managing multiple workstreams and motivating, coordinating, and directing others to stay on track.
• ADAPTABILITY: You tackle challenges and unfamiliar scenarios head-on with a solutions-oriented, flexible, and curious approach. You are willing to try new things and actively seek to understand multiple perspectives.
• TECHNOLOGY SKILLS: Experience working in a CRM required. Salesforce experience a plus. Experience with Microsoft Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, etc) strongly preferred.

In addition, all Summer Search staff bring a commitment to our mission of unleashing students’

potential through mentoring and transformative experiences, as well as the ability to thrive in an environment that values excellence, gratitude, well-being, diversity, authenticity, and collaboration.

LOCATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

This is a hybrid position with at least 2 days a week in the office and up to 3 days of remote work weekly. Occasional travel to partners within NYC and evening work (i.e. for events) will be required as needed.

Competitive and transparent salaries. This is an exempt position with an annual salary ranging from $104,120-114,766. Summer Search is committed to transparent, equitable compensation practices. Salaries are benchmarked using current market data and salary bands are created to demonstrate the growth potential within the band. Typically, offers are made at the starting place of the salary band. The Hiring Manager partners with the Talent Team to ensure offers are appropriate, competitive and maintain internal equity.

Well-being, flexibility, and ongoing learning and development are pillars of our culture. We value our staff and are committed to creating an environment where every individual feels seen, heard and valued. Investments in our staff include:

• Medical insurance with up to 90% employer contribution
• Dental, vision, FSA, life and disability insurance plans
• 401 (K) and Employer Match up to $2,000 annually
• Generous time off including 15 vacation days, 10 sick days, and 18 holidays (2 floating holidays of your choice, a birthday day-off, 10 company-wide holidays, and a 1-week December closure).
• Refresh Friday’s – a paid day off the first Friday of every month!
• A comprehensive Employee Recognition Program (years of service awards, spot awards, and professional development funding).
• A four-week paid sabbatical after five years of continuous employment.
• Individual, local, regional and national training
• A commitment to developing leaders from within the organization.
• An organizational culture that supports staff well-being and holistic self-care/community care
• Ample opportunities to connect with the students and communities we serve.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

With a staff that cares deeply about social justice and racial justice, we believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds create a rich work environment and enhance our ability to pursue our mission. We are committed to building an organization with raised consciousness in order to impact how we work with students, as well as how we work together as a team. We hope you will join us as we continue to build a justice-centered organization that fosters a work environment where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued.