Director of Programs
Bench Mark Program’s mission is to end generational hardship by walking alongside system-impacted youth and families through consistent relationships, accountability, and opportunity.
We partner with schools, probation, families, and community agencies to provide restorative, relationship-driven programming that supports students academically, behaviorally, and emotionally. Bench Mark Program is a culture where presence matters, trust is built over time, and young people are seen and supported.
Position Overview
The Program Director is responsible for ensuring all Bench Mark Program services are delivered with consistency, quality, and care. This role provides hands-on leadership across all programs, supervises Program Managers, and ensures strong partnerships, clear systems, and continuous improvement aligned with BMP’s mission and strategic plan.
The Director of Programs is a member of Bench Mark Program’s Leadership Team and works closely with the Executive Director to translate organizational priorities into effective, sustainable program execution.
Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Execution
● Oversee day-to-day operations and quality of all programs, ensuring alignment with Bench Mark’s culture, standards, and expectations.
● Maintain a visible and accessible presence across programs by working alongside staff and addressing issues in real time.
● Provide guidance and decision support on complex student cases and program-level challenges.
● Review referrals and ensure timely responses, intakes, and placement decisions across all programs.
● Approve all student discharge decisions, including successful completion, unsuccessful discharge, and invitations into the Student Leadership Program.
Staff Leadership & Development
● Supervise and support Program Managers and Team Leads through regular one-on-one meetings and structured feedback.
● Lead bi-weekly Manager Meetings to ensure alignment, accountability, and information sharing.
● Conduct bi-annual performance reviews for Program Managers, including observation of their staff review processes.
● Support hiring and termination decisions within programs and directly oversee hiring and termination of Program Managers.
● Mentor high-potential staff and build internal leadership capacity.
● Foster a culture of accountability, growth, and shared ownership of outcomes.
Partnerships & Community Engagement
● Build and sustain strong relationships with schools, probation, Children and Youth Agency, funders, and other key partners.
● Maintain regular, prioritized communication with partners, favoring in-person and phone communication when possible.
● Represent and promote Bench Mark Program in community settings, partner meetings, and court-related engagements.
● Gather partner feedback to strengthen collaboration and ensure expectations and reporting requirements are met.
Program Development, Data & Improvement
● Support the design and implementation of new programming that responds to emerging needs and opportunities.
● Oversee the development and tracking of SMART goals aligned with BMP’s Strategic Plan.
● Review program data and trends to assess performance and inform strategic adjustments.
● Collect feedback from students, families, partners, and funders to drive continuous improvement.
● Expand BMP’s impact by increasing service offerings and growing the number of youth served.
Operations & Stewardship
● Oversee program budgets in partnership with Program Managers to ensure responsible use of funds.
● Support fiscally responsible decision-making across programs.
● Partner with the Operations Manager to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing.
● Ensure accurate, secure documentation and record-keeping in compliance with confidentiality and reporting standards.
Benefits
● 401(k) retirement plan with partial employer matching
● 20 paid time off days beginning after the first 90 days of employment
● Medical, dental, and vision insurance
● 24/7 access to gym spaces
Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Department: Programs
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $65k - $75k Annual Salary
Reports To: Executive Director