Director of Special Projects
Location:
Youth Research, Inc. (YRI)
25 Delaware Avenue
Delmar, NY 12054
Appointment Type:
Full-time, Permanent, Hybrid Position
Starting Salary: $75,000-$85,000 annually
Duties:
Under the supervision of the Vice President (VP) of Strategy, Equity and Advancement the Director of Special Projects (DSP) will play a critical role in expanding YRI’s project capacity and contribute to the diversification of work that YRI engages in by providing leadership to staff who are directly working on strategic projects and partnerships. Housed within the Strategy, Equity and Advancement (SEA) department, the Director will serve as a member of the Middle Management team and work closely with YRI’s Senior Management team, OCFS staff, and other partners to research, develop, implement, and manage large-and small-scale projects and initiatives that pertain to human services, specifically child and family well-being.
To successfully manage these responsibilities, the Director must possess skills that would enable them to effectively complete the following duties:
Oversee the planning, implementation, execution, and ongoing management of all projects
Quickly respond to requests for project related support from internal and external partners
Coordinate internal resources and staff as needed per project
Lead project planning meetings, project updates, and project-specific reporting requirements, including creating project planning documents
Identify the appropriate external and internal audiences to communicate with about projects
Provide leadership, oversight, and direct supervision for staff supporting projects including managers and consultants
Coordinate project specific marketing and communications and grant writing or fundraising efforts with the Director of Development
Assist the Director of Development to ensure all necessary grant reporting data is managed and tracked in an efficient and effective manner
Foster unified goals and vision between various project stakeholders and partners to create a culture of shared accountability
Work vertically and horizontally across the organization and with external stakeholders and partners to help ensure coordination and alignment on strategic project goals and objectives
Oversee data collection activities and support resources to visualize patterns and produce recommendations
Identify project opportunities and challenges and be able to make specific recommendations for process, quality, and project improvement. Implement change management plans as needed
Track project performance using appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs), metrics, tools, and techniques
Manage project budgets and assist with the budget creation process
Work closely with the SEA Team to understand current and future funding opportunities and organizational capacity, as well as speak into and provide strategic recommendations about current and future project management capacity based on organizational needs and priorities
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Project Management, Nonprofit Management, Social Work, Public Policy, Public Administration, or closely related discipline. Master’s degree preferred
At least 5 years of demonstrably progressive project management experience
At least 2 years of experience supervising staff
Experience managing and/or supervising outside organizational partnerships
Well-developed analytical skills with an ability to synthesize complex information and apply it to strategic recommendations
Excellent leadership skills
A basic working knowledge of data analytics, interpretation, outcome analysis, and statistically driven recommendations
Demonstrated ability to manage large-scale projects and significant amounts of data
Outstanding written and verbal communication
Excellent and demonstrated ability to build, foster, and maintain relationships
Proven ability to manage project outcomes
Commitment to teamwork and proactively fostering a collegial work environment
A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access
Intermediate-level computer skills required – including high proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and project management software
Experience working with diverse groups and populations
A project management certification from PMI or a similar institute is a plus
A basic knowledge of childcare, child welfare, and social services is strongly preferred
Additional Information:
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. YRI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. YRI is committed to ensuring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities and workplace diversity. It is the policy of YRI to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position for which they are applying or for which they are employed. YRI does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under title I of the ADA.