Director, School & Community Services (Director I, Portfolio Management)

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology– creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Director, School and Community Services (Director I, Project Portfolio) in Washington DC, New York, NY or remote.

As part of FHI 360’s US Programs, the School and Community Services (SCS) department designs and manages comprehensive educational reform, youth development, and community improvement initiatives; conducts research and evaluation for education, youth, and community programs; provides technical assistance and professional development; and builds capacity of other organizations to provide programs and services characterized by evidence, excellence and equity. Portfolios of work include 1) school development and support and middle-grades improvement; 2) high school reform,  postsecondary access/success, and school leadership; 3) educational equity, afterschool and STEM; and 4) research and evaluation in education, youth development, and adolescent health.

The Director of School and Community Services leads the department’s work in defining and implementing the department’s mission.

Position Description:

Develop and implement strategies for achieving technical results beyond the boundaries of individual projects, ensure program management, and provide for external advocacy and technical leadership related to attaining stated Department goals.

• Lead development and planning of new programs activity, structuring and management of current program and project responsibilities, planning for long- and short-term development activities, and the regular contact and liaison with all key clients and funders supporting the work of the Department.
• Lead and manage the development, implementation and assessment of Department programs and initiatives;
• Supervise and support senior program area directors of the Department;
• Direct and/or serve as senior advisor on programs and initiatives;
• Collaborate with business unit director and other Department directors in leadership and management of cross-Department and cross-unit initiatives, and in development, strategic planning, and review of programs.

Essential Job Functions:          

The Department Director is expected to have a high level of technical qualifications, to demonstrate substantive and technical leadership for the department’s practice areas, and to be in a position to provide technical oversight of personnel within the Department.  The Department Director, supported by central financial and management services, is also responsible for the project financial management, executive and administrative staffing of the Department to meet the demands of each program and project.   The Department Director also has responsibility for maintaining the quality of staff in the Department, including training and staff development, so that there is overall professional development growth and opportunity for job satisfaction, and long-term professional growth of employees .

• In addition, each Department Director has the following responsibilities which include:
• Supervision and Leadership: Responsible for supervision, management and administration of the Department. Supervises all Department staff with direct supervision of the senior technical and administrative team.
• High Quality Technical Work:  in line with Department mission and objectives, contribute to the state of the art in the department’s practice areas, ensuring that technical work advances the Department and FHI 360’s capacity and reputation. Enhance the reputation of FHI 360 and the Department externally through professional activities.
• Sound Financial Management: prepare and monitor annual budgets for the Department and its projects, ensure that the Department budget target for the year is met or exceeded, that project budgets are balanced with no losses, and personnel and systems are in place for managing, monitoring, and reporting finances.
• Business Planning: take lead responsibility for preparing the Department’s annual business plan, and provide leadership in raising new funds and strategically managing growth and direction of the Department.
• Client and Funder Satisfaction:  ensure close relationships by monitoring, managing, and addressing client problems with good judgment as they arise.
• Staff Development and Diversity:  engage and motivate Department staff to meet project and Department mission and objectives; hire and retain staff in line with FHI 360's focus on ensuring a diverse workforce; facilitate staff development opportunities; and facilitate diverse and rewarding work opportunities for staff.
• Cross-cutting and Multidisciplinary Approaches:  contribute to the development of  multi-disciplinary FHI 360 initiatives that capitalize on cross-Department collaboration
• Strategic Planning: Department-level, Unit-level, and FHI 360-wide strategic planning, including committee work, document preparation, research, and charting new directions.

Minimum Requirements:

• Education:  Master’s degree in  education, social science, public policy or a related field. .
• Experience: Typically requires a minimum of 12 years with project management experience.
• Demonstrated experience in multi-sector project management and implementation.
• Demonstrated strategic planning, staff development and capacity building experience.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing complex projects that are strategic in nature and national in scope.
• Highly proficient with MS Project, and the Microsoft suite of programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Visio).
• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English.

Specific Knowledge Requirements:

• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the technical issues related to the Department to support, nurture and provide technical leadership to highly technical and highly qualified professional and executive personnel.  Knowledge of program monitoring and management for ensuring the successful completion of all those program and project requirements, targets, and project outcomes.
• Knowledge of the following topical areas: education reform K-20 including policy, organization and practices; youth development, health and engagement; educational equity.
• Knowledge of approaches to addressing those areas in the field through research and evaluation; technical assistance, professional development, and leadership development; policy development and advocacy.      

Skills:

• Demonstrated excellence in leadership and management skills;
• Demonstrated excellence in one or more practice areas of SCS;
• Demonstrated initiative in risk taking and innovation; internal and external visibility and recognition :
• Demonstrated skills in program development and business development; initiative development, leadership and management; quality assurance; finances and operations management; and talent/leadership development of other managers and staff.

Supervisory Responsibility: Supervises senior staff and other program and administrative staff.

Roughly 25 percent travel.

FHI 360 has a competitive compensation package. Interested candidates may register online through FHI 360's Career Center at http://www.fhi360.org/careers or through the Employment section at www.fhi360.org. Please submit CV/resume and cover letter including salary requirements. Please specify source in your application.

AA/EOE/M/F/V/D