Program Director

Status: Full-Time

Reports To: Executive Director

Start Date: March 2025

Location: East Orange, NJ (Hybrid, Tuesdays and Thursdays in office)

Salary: $85,000 to $95,000

Commensurate with the candidate's experience

ABOUT PHEI:

The Perinatal Health Equity Initiative is a Black female led, 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating disparities in Black infant and maternal health in New Jersey. We do this by providing direct clinical care, advocacy, policy, education, research, and community engagement. We are rooted in Reproductive Justice, Social Justice, and utilize an anti racist framework designed to create health equity for Black mamas. We are also the Largest group of Black Lactation Specialists in the State of New Jersey. Our offices are based in East Orange, New Jersey and provide support to the surrounding communities.

At The Perinatal Health Equity Initiative (PHEI), we are dedicated to putting Black mamas first, driven by a deep love and passion for their well-being. Our mission is to meet the needs of Black mothers by amplifying their voices and partnering with them to reimagine a better future for Black mamas and their babies. As a team member, you will be expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics, operating with integrity and accountability to serve our communities with unwavering moral clarity. We strive to create an environment grounded in ethical principles, fostering trust and respect among our team and the families we support.

POSITION SUMMARY:

At the Perinatal Health Equity Initiative (PHEI), we’re experiencing a strong period of growth as we’re set to open New Jersey's first and only Black Maternal Health Center that will serve as a women’s health clinic, community center and our new headquarters dedicated to Black Mamas and is scheduled to open in March 2025. To continue this trajectory, we’re searching for a highly qualified Program Director to work closely with our leadership team. From Day One, this person will have an immediate impact on our programmatic and expansion efforts.

The Program Director will oversee PHEI’s portfolio of birth justice and reproductive justice programs, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and strategic vision aspects of the program development, curriculums, timelines, deliverables, marketing and communications related to the programs and strategy in accordance with PHEI's goals. The Program Director will lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of high-impact initiatives that address reproductive justice. This includes the training and daily supervision of all program staff/interns and policy implementation across programs. The Program Director is also responsible for developing and fostering relationships with community and partner organizations to focus on program growth.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

PHEI is seeking a highly organized and proactive Program Director to help the leadership team expand and advance our programmatic goals as well as support our new strategic initiatives. The Program Director will work independently and proactively towards the development, implementation, coordination and management. This position partners closely with the Executive Director as well as the rest of the leadership team and may require flexible hours and occasional travel.

Our ideal candidate excels as an exceptional strategic leader with a demonstrated project management prowess paired with polished communication skills; when interfacing with both internal teams and external stakeholders. Above all, you are inspired and motivated by the impact of maternal health and reproductive justice.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position will oversee the coordination and execution of these core program elements while ensuring alignment with PHEI’s strategic priorities and commitment to health equity.

• Optimize the processes for development and implementation for all programs ensuring they align with the organization’s mission and strategic goals.
• Execute all programs and grant deliverables with the necessary reporting, efficiencies and transparency.
• Plan and implement continuous quality improvement processes that utilize effective performance management and metrics and utilize program data to inform programming.
• Represent the organization at key meetings, conferences, and coalition-building activities, serving as a thought leader on reproductive and birth justice issues.
• Develop and manage the programmatic budget, ensuring financial sustainability and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Serve as leading champion and ambassador for advancing the program’s mission and values with internal and external stakeholders
• Lead staff using a performance management and professional development process that encourages employee contributions and includes goal setting, feedback, and professional development.
• Oversee and manage the programmatic budget, ensuring financial sustainability and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Identify opportunities for program expansion, partnerships, and innovation to increase the impact of the organization’s work.
• Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with an equity lens, centering the voices and needs of marginalized communities.
• Implement a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to assess program effectiveness and impact.
• Utilize data and feedback from partners and community to continuously improve program design and delivery.
• Develop, maintain, and report on an overall integrated delivery plan.
• Excellent project management skills, including the ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• Strong business centric mindset with ability to utilize sound business judgment and tailor approach to drive optimal business outcomes.
• Prepare regular reports for the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and funders on program outcomes and progress towards goals.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in public health, Social Work, Gender Studies, Nonprofit Management, Nursing or related field (master's preferred).
• A minimum of 5-8 years of program management experience, preferably within the nonprofit sector, reproductive justice, human rights, or social justice.
• 3-5 years of curriculum development and teaching/training
• Experience managing federal grants
• Deep understanding of reproductive/birth justice issues, including abortion access, contraception, healthcare equity, and the intersection of race, gender, and economic justice.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven track record of developing and managing complex programs and budgets.
• Strong leadership and team management skills with experience supervising and developing staff.
• Experience with data-driven program evaluation and using metrics to inform decision-making.
• Detail-oriented with excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Proactive strategic thinker and problem solver that has a high level of professionalism
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion.
• Flexibility to travel and possible flexibility for working evening hours; if needed.
• Strong Proficiency with Google Suite, Zoom, Asana and an aptitude for learning new software and systems
• Deep understanding and/or a strong passion for reproductive justice issues.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and the empowerment of marginalized communities.

Estimated Distribution of Duties:

50% Program Leadership and Management

30% Strategic Planning

20% Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid driver’s license, legally required car insurance, and use of a personal vehicle during business hours.
• Flexibility with work schedule – schedule requires some evenings, weekends and air travel.

Personal Attributes

• Passionate about the mission and goals of the Perinatal Health Equity Initiative.
• Values and Mission Aligned: You share PHEI’s values of integrity, transparency and trust, equity, compassion and appreciation, a healthy and supportive work culture, multi-faceted growth and progress, and collective power. You strive to live these values in your work, giving grace to yourself and others in PHEI’s shared learning and efforts.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong commitment to ethical practices and integrity.
• Adaptable and able to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Critically discerning as it pertains to communication and escalation of risks

EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

Standard days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. The Executive Assistant is expected to work 40 hours per work week with a minimum in-office commitment of 2 days per week.

TRAVEL

This position is based in East Orange NJ with 25% required travel throughout the state of New Jersey and occasional domestic travel.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this role and scope. This job description will evolve to accommodate changing role requirements over time and the organization's growth.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Health and Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to keep you and your family healthy.
• Financial Security: Competitive salary, retirement savings plans, and life insurance options to ensure your financial well-being.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, including vacation days, holidays, and sick leave, as well as flexible work arrangements to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement through professional development programs,and access to conferences and workshops.
• Supportive Environment: A collaborative and inclusive work culture that values transparency, autonomy, and ownership, providing a supportive environment where you can thrive.

Anti-Discrimination Policy

PHEI does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, gender, ability, religious creed, national origin, marital status, age, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law.