Program Director

At Xiente, we believe every family deserves a real pathway to prosperity.

For more than 45 years, Xiente has partnered with children, youth, and families across Philadelphia to break cycles of poverty and create opportunities for long-term economic mobility through education, housing, workforce development, and community-centered support services. Through culturally responsive programming and deep community relationships, we help families strengthen their social, human, and financial capital so they can thrive for generations to come.

Today, Xiente serves thousands of residents annually through early childhood education, after-school programming, youth development, housing initiatives, financial coaching, and innovative community programs designed to create lasting impact.

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Program Design Director to help lead and strengthen our education-focused programming and continue advancing our mission of economic mobility and community transformation.

Position Overview

The Program Design Director will play a critical leadership role in overseeing the design, implementation, compliance, and operational excellence of Xiente’s education and youth-focused programs.

This individual will partner closely with executive leadership to ensure programs are high-quality, compliant, culturally responsive, and aligned with the evolving needs of the communities we serve. The ideal candidate is both strategic and hands-on — someone who can build systems, support teams, strengthen program outcomes, and help create transformative experiences for children and families.

This role requires a leader who understands the complexity of nonprofit program operations and is deeply committed to educational equity, community empowerment, and mission-driven work.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the implementation, management, and continuous improvement of education-focused programs across the organization

• Oversee programs serving infants, toddlers, preschool-aged children, and school-age youth

• Support development and launch of new grant-funded initiatives and community programs

• Ensure programs align with organizational goals, funding requirements, and community needs

• Create systems and operational structures that support program quality, sustainability, and growth

Compliance & Program Quality

• Ensure compliance with licensing requirements, grant guidelines, audits, and nonprofit regulations

• Oversee program documentation, reporting, and quality assurance processes

• Monitor program performance metrics and implement improvement strategies

• Support readiness for site visits, audits, and funder reporting requirements

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and operational support to program staff and site leaders

• Foster a collaborative, mission-driven, and culturally responsive team environment

• Partner cross-functionally with executive leadership and internal departments to strengthen program delivery

• Assist with staffing strategy, onboarding, and operational planning

Community Engagement & Impact

• Build and maintain strong relationships with community stakeholders, funders, and partners

• Represent Xiente with professionalism, compassion, and cultural humility

• Support initiatives that strengthen educational access, family stability, and long-term economic mobility

Qualifications

Required Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in nonprofit program management or program leadership

• Experience in Headstart or Early Headstart programs 

• Strong background in early childhood education, preschool, infant/toddler, and/or after-school programming

• Experience overseeing grant-funded nonprofit programs

• Strong understanding of licensing, audits, compliance, and nonprofit operational standards

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple programs and priorities simultaneously

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing or scaling community-based education programs

• Strong operational and organizational leadership skills

• Ability to navigate fast-paced and evolving environments

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills

• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is:

• Passionate about educational equity and community impact

• Deeply aligned with Xiente’s mission and values

• Collaborative, adaptable, and solutions-oriented

• Comfortable balancing strategic leadership with day-to-day operational execution

• Experienced working within nonprofit and community-centered environments

• Skilled at building trust with families, staff, and community stakeholders

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: Approximately $120,000

• Competitive nonprofit benefits package

• Opportunity to grow within a mission-driven and community-centered organization

Location

Philadelphia, PA
Fully onsite, Monday–Friday

Why Join Xiente?

At Xiente, our work is rooted in the belief that lasting change happens when communities are empowered with access, opportunity, and support.

This is an opportunity to join a deeply mission-driven organization that is redefining what economic mobility can look like for children and families across Philadelphia. As Program Design Director, you will help shape programs that directly impact lives, strengthen communities, and create pathways to prosperity for future generations.