Program Director, Breakthrough NKU

Position Title:
Program Director, Breakthrough NKU
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Position Type:
Regular
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About the Role:
The Program Director is a key member of the leadership team at Breakthrough NKU, responsible for ensuring that students and Teaching Fellows experience high-quality, engaging, and mission-aligned programming throughout the program. Hosted by NKU and affiliated with Breakthrough Collaborative, Breakthrough NKU works with students beginning in 6th grade through 9th grade in the River City schools to support their academic growth, personal development, and path toward postsecondary success while preparing talented college students to become the next generation of educators and leaders.

The Program Director leads the design, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of Breakthrough’s student and Teaching Fellow programming. The Program Director manages and develops program staff, establishes strong systems for program delivery, uses data to guide decisions and interventions, and ensures alignment between school-year and summer programming.

This role requires a highly collaborative leader who combines strong educational judgment with excellent people management and execution. The Program Director should be able to build trust with students and families, coach staff toward ambitious goals, strengthen curriculum and instructional practices, develop productive relationships with schools and community partners, and turn ideas into effective systems and high-quality experiences for students.

The Program Director works closely with the Executive Director, fellow program staff, NKU colleagues, school and community partners, and Breakthrough Collaborative to ensure that programming reflects Breakthrough’s mission, meets the needs of the local community, and contributes to strong student and Teaching Fellow outcomes.
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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Program Leadership, Planning, and Quality

- Provide leadership for Breakthrough NKU's four-year summer academic program and any associated school-year activities, establishing clear priorities, implementation plans, and measures of success aligned with organizational goals and Breakthrough Collaborative standards.
- Translate strategic priorities into high-quality programming that advances Breakthrough NKU's dual mission of supporting students on the pathway to postsecondary success while developing future educators and leaders.
- Lead comprehensive program planning, including staffing structures, timelines, training schedules, program resources, and operational systems that support effective implementation.
- Maintain an active presence throughout summer programming, monitoring program quality, supporting staff, and addressing emerging challenges to ensure a consistent and positive experience across classrooms and grade levels.
- Evaluate and communicate program effectiveness and incorporate feedback from students, families, Teaching Fellows, and staff to strengthen program rigor, relevance, and responsiveness.

2. Personnel Leadership and Teaching Fellow Development

- Lead the recruitment, selection, onboarding, supervision, and evaluation of Teaching Fellows and seasonal program personnel, including instructional coaches, AmeriCorps members, and other instructional and support staff.
- Establish clear expectations, roles, and accountability structures while fostering a collaborative team culture characterized by high expectations, belonging, trust, and shared responsibility for student success.
- Design and coordinate meaningful training, coaching, and professional development that prepare Teaching Fellows and staff to deliver effective instruction, manage classrooms, and support student learning.
- Provide ongoing supervision, feedback, and performance support, developing staff members' capacity to solve problems, use data, lead others, and contribute to continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with NKU faculty, experienced educators, and program partners to strengthen the Teaching Fellow experience and encourage continued interest in education careers.

3. Curriculum, Instruction, and Academic Enrichment

- In partnership with the Breakthrough Collaborative National Office, lead the development, selection, review, and continuous improvement of academically rigorous, engaging, and developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with student needs, educational standards, and effective instructional practices.
- Collaborate with instructional coaches, program leaders, and Breakthrough Collaborative resources to establish instructional expectations, teaching supports, and consistent practices across classrooms and grade levels.
- Monitor instructional quality through classroom observations, staff feedback, student performance, and other evidence, using findings to strengthen instruction and professional development.
- Integrate college exploration, career awareness, leadership development, and other enrichment experiences that broaden students' educational aspirations and prepare them for future opportunities.
- Ensure that summer instruction and school-year academic supports are intentionally connected and responsive to identified student needs.

4. Student Success, Family Engagement, and Educational Pathways

- Lead student recruitment, enrollment, retention, and progression efforts in collaboration with participating schools, families, and community partners.
- Ensure that Teaching Fellows are prepared for a variety of student needs, including academic, social, emotional, physical, and mental health.
- Establish a supportive, challenging, and inclusive learning environment that promotes academic growth, student confidence, belonging, engagement, and preparation for future educational opportunities.
- Develop and maintain effective systems for student attendance, academic support, mentoring, behavior expectations, and individualized responses to student needs.
- Build strong relationships with students and families, ensuring accessible communication, meaningful engagement, and opportunities for family perspectives to inform program decisions.
- Collaborate with the Executive Director and other NKU program leaders to connect Breakthrough experiences with broader grades 6–12 enrichment opportunities and pathways toward high school and postsecondary success.

5. Assessment, Accountability, and Continuous Improvement

- Establish and monitor measurable outcomes for student achievement, academic preparedness, engagement, persistence, Teaching Fellow development, and overall program quality in alignment with Breakthrough Collaborative expectations.
- Maintain accurate and confidential student and program records, including effective use of Breakthrough's student and program data systems (BTSP) and other applicable assessment tools.
- Analyze quantitative and qualitative data throughout the program cycle with the Executive Director to identify trends, assess effectiveness, and guide timely adjustments to instruction, staffing, student supports, and program operations.
- Engage program staff in regular reflection, evaluation, and improvement processes, using evidence and stakeholder feedback to inform future program planning.
- Collaborate with the Executive Director to prepare program reports, communicate outcomes, and support organizational planning, grant reporting, and national affiliate requirements.

6. Organizational Collaboration and Program Operations

- Collaborate with the Executive Director, NKU colleagues, and external partners to coordinate program implementation, align resources, and support the broader mission of educational pathways and regional engagement.
- Manage day-to-day program operations, including facilities, technology, transportation, food services, instructional resources, scheduling, and other logistical requirements.
- Develop and maintain effective operational procedures, communication systems, and documentation that support consistent program delivery and responsible resource management.
- Ensure that staff and program activities comply with applicable NKU policies, Breakthrough Collaborative requirements, and student safety, supervision, and risk management expectations.
- Anticipate operational needs and challenges, communicate resource requirements proactively, and work collaboratively with institutional partners to develop appropriate solutions.

QUALIFICATIONS

Strong candidates will demonstrate many of the following qualifications. We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet every listed criterion.

Education & Experience

- At least 4 years of progressively responsible experience in education, youth development, college access, teacher development, nonprofit programming, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, and developing staff.
- Experience designing, managing, or leading high-quality programs for young people.
- Experience managing complex projects involving multiple staff members, deadlines, priorities, and stakeholders.
- Experience with curriculum development, instructional leadership, teacher preparation, or student support strongly preferred.
- Experience working with students and families from communities historically underrepresented in higher education is strongly valued.
- Experience building and maintaining relationships with schools, school districts, colleges, universities, or community organizations preferred.
- Experience recruiting, training, or supporting college students, educators, or seasonal staff is an asset.
- Master’s level degree in education or related field is required; terminal degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D) is preferred but not required.

Knowledge & Skills

- Deep commitment to Breakthrough NKU’s dual mission and belief in the potential and brilliance of all students.
- Understanding of the systemic barriers that can affect students’ access to and success in postsecondary education and a commitment to partnering with students and families as they navigate their individual paths.
- Strong people-management skills, including the ability to establish expectations, coach toward improvement, develop emerging leaders, provide feedback, and hold people accountable.
- Ability to build authentic and productive relationships across differences in identity, background, experience, role, and institutional context.
- Cultural humility, curiosity, self-awareness, and the ability to listen and adapt.
- Strong understanding of high-quality student programming and the ability to translate educational goals into effective program experiences.
- Strong project-management skills and the ability to build systems, workflows, and collaborative processes that move complex work forward.
- Ability to use quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate progress, identify needs, and develop solutions.
- Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong relationship-building skills and the judgment to know when and how to engage colleagues, families, institutional leaders, and external partners.
- Collaborative approach to leadership combined with a strong sense of ownership and accountability for results.
- Comfort operating in a dynamic environment with significant seasonal changes in workload, staffing, and priorities.
- Experience with Salesforce (Breakthrough) and Slate (CRM) or demonstrated ability to learn and use data systems effectively.
- Sound judgment, flexibility, resilience, initiative, and a solutions-oriented approach.

EARLY INDICATORS OF SUCCESS

- Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and successfully launch Breakthrough NKU's inaugural summer 2027 program, including the recruitment and preparation of River City middle school students, Teaching Fellows, Instructional Coaches, and other program personnel.
- A safe, well-organized, academically engaging summer program that meets Breakthrough Collaborative standards and NKU operational requirements.
- Successful student recruitment, enrollment, and attendance, with plans to establish sustained engagement throughout the four-year Breakthrough NKU experience.
- Well-prepared, supported, and coached Teaching Fellows who demonstrate growth in instructional practice, professional confidence, and interest in education careers.
- Effective communication and engagement with students, families, participating schools, university partners, and program staff.
- Timely collection and use of student, Teaching Fellow, and program data to assess quality, document progress, and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Productive working relationships with the Executive Director, NKU colleagues, Breakthrough Collaborative personnel, external partners, and school partners that support effective coordination, problem-solving, and program success.

Please provide:

- A resume
- A thoughtful letter describing their interest in the mission of the Executive Director’s role and how their experience prepares them to strategically lead the Breakthrough NKU and Votruba Preparatory Academy initiatives.
- Names and contact information of three relevant references

For full consideration, application should be submitted by November 24, 2026.

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Posted Salary:
$80,000 – 85,000, commensurate with experience
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Work Environment & Physical Demands:

- This is a full-time, year-round on-site position based at NKU (with Flexwork if approved by the supervisor).
- The role requires regular in-person engagement with students, staff, families, Teaching Fellows, and partners.
- On-site presence is required during summer programming, including regular observation and coaching.
- Periodic evening and weekend work is required for student programming, family events, staff training, and other program activities.
- Local travel between NKU, schools, colleges, and community partner locations may be required.
- Some national travel for Breakthrough Collaborative meetings, training, or conferences may be required.
- Employment is with NKU and is subject to the institution’s employment policies, required background checks, student-safety requirements, and other applicable employment conditions.