Director of Program Design and Member Development - American Connection Corp

Position Summary

The American Connection Corps (ACC) is a fast-growing national service program that’s closing the digital divide and cultivating a new generation of locally-rooted leaders in digitally disconnected communities across America. We’re looking for a dynamic and visionary leader to help us shape a best-in-class, year-long program experience for our AmeriCorps Members, one that helps propel them to lasting careers as community leaders in the places they serve. The ACC Director of Program Design and Member Development will own the Member experience for 150+ AmeriCorps Members annually, from start to finish, including program design, curriculum development, partnerships with training providers, execution of content delivery (both in-person and asynchronous), graduation toward sustainable careers, and ongoing measurement of results. This role will require deep knowledge of where ACC sits in the national service ecosystem, particularly at the intersection of workforce development and national service, experience in designing and implementing cohort-based learning experiences, and a passion for place-based community development. 

A successful director will have a clear and articulated vision for the program strategy and will implement the systems needed to execute and implement that strategy and measure results. The Director will collaborate with staff across the ACC team, and report to the ACC Executive Director. The Director must be comfortable both leading and working alongside the team, taking a hands-on approach to guide the program’s success. 

If you’re inspired to design and execute a delightful, impactful, and career-advancing service year experience for hundreds of rising public service leaders around the country, we’d love to hear from you!

Essential Functions

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is illustrative ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by individuals in this role. It does not imply that all positions within the class perform all the duties listed, nor does it necessarily list all possible duties that may be assigned.

Program Direction and Operations

• Lead the development and implementation of the ACC curriculum and program design to ensure that ACC Members are receiving the training and technical resources necessary to successfully complete their service experience. 
• Liaise with all external training and strategic program partners to implement content-specific training for ACC Members, including ongoing training plenaries across the ACC cohort.
• Identify and curate a roster of new strategic partners to complement the program objectives and strategy. 
• Lead the planning, organization, and/or delegation of all in-person ACC trainings, including coordination with training partners and agenda development. Oversee logistic planning and support with ACC staff.
• Consult with the Director of National Service to ensure that all ACC program design and member development activities are AmeriCorps compliant. 
• Develop an evaluation plan for all ACC activity, in collaboration with the ACC Executive Director, Director of National Service, and other key stakeholders.
• Inform and contribute to the Member and Host Site data collection and evaluations using CRM tools.

Strategic Planning & Development

• Conduct research and analysis on current and emerging trends in national service, workforce development, rural development, community and economic development, digital equity, and other topics relevant to existing and future programmatic focus areas and strategies. 
• Assist in the design and implementation of programmatic research data, analyzing relevant data to measure program effectiveness, impact, and identify gaps and opportunities for improving overall program execution. Utilize findings to adapt and enhance training curricula, ensuring alignment with programmatic mission and goals. This includes collaborating with external organizations, program partners, academic institutions, and industry experts to integrate data-driven insights into program design and member support initiatives. 
• Assist in the development and distribution of external materials for partners, such as quarterly highlights and reports for evaluation. Give presentations on ACC’s impact to external partners as needed.
• Contribution to the impact reporting and program storytelling to ACC’s key funders (Land O’Lakes, Comcast, US Bank, Heartland Forward, AmeriCorps). 
• Secure opportunities to share ACC’s stories of impact to community organizations, state service commissions, state broadband offices, and key media channels.

Requirements

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Curriculum Design, Strategic Design, Community or Rural Development, Workforce Development, Organizational Management/Leadership, or related field required; Master’s preferred. 

Experience

The ideal candidate will have 8+ years of leadership experience, particularly in managing large-scale programs or initiatives within the nonprofit or public sector. They should have a strong background in designing and implementing cohort-based learning programs, with expertise in place-based community development and building strategic partnerships. Deep knowledge of the national service ecosystem, particularly AmeriCorps, and experience in evaluating program outcomes, and scaling impactful programs are essential. Prior executive experience and strong public speaking skills are also required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes

• Mission/Vision: able to support and articulate the organization’s mission, goals and objectives in a positive and inspirational manner.
• Strategic Vision and Agility: ability to think strategically, anticipate future consequences and trends, and incorporate them into the organizational plan; ability to consistently make good decisions through a combination of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment.
• Systems Thinker: pairs empathic listening and mentorship with rigorous systems accountability, operational mindset, and an ability to ensure consistent processes and project management. 
• Communication: relates well to all types of people; patience to hear others out and build rapport with dignity and tact; promote and demonstrate collaboration; relay information that is sufficiently detailed and promotes desired results.
• Leadership: ability to connect staff on an individual- and team-based level; capacity to hold Fellows accountable, offer coaching and mentorship, develop and empower Fellows from the bottom up; cultivate entrepreneurship and learn the strengths and weaknesses of Fellows so as to put them in a position to succeed.
• Results-Oriented: mindset for exceeding goals; high standard for excellence and attention to detail; ability to balance the delivery of programs against the realities of a budget; provide accurate results that are well thought-out and complete; exhibit high standards for excellence and attention to detail.
• Capacity Building: ability to effectively build organizational and staff capacity, selecting and developing highly qualified team members and the processes that ensure the organization runs smoothly.
• Action Oriented: strong work-ethic; ability to act and react as necessary, even if limited information is available; not afraid to take charge of a situation; can overcome resistance to leadership and take unpopular stands when necessary.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions 

This position requires:

• Normal periods of sitting, standing and walking, typically in a remote office environment.
• Type/enter data on keyboard.
• Normal vision and hearing (with or without correction).
• Speaking one-on-one and in a group setting.

Must be able to attend and participate in outdoor events in various weather conditions, and attend 3-4 events for ACC training and LFA staff gatherings, and additional travel (5-6 events) as necessary. Level of noise is usually moderately quiet. 

Benefits

Below is the anticipated minimum and maximum salaries we can provide at this time. Starting salary is dependent on role and experience level. Based on these factors, the below salary range is subject to vary considerably. Note that salaries are expected to rise over time with increased experience, inflation, and the growth of the organization, and that for most roles there is ample opportunity for promotion. In special circumstances, LFA is willing to discuss paying above the maximum range listed below. 

Salary Range: $80,000 - $110,000

This position includes access to health insurance, vision and dental insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, unlimited PTO, 12 weeks of parental leave (including the first 4 weeks paid), a work laptop, and a $750 annual professional development allowance. 

Acknowledgements:

All the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions for which reasonable accommodation will be made. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties and responsibilities or requirements and employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.