About Urban Ventures
Urban Ventures is a faith-based, nonprofit organization with the mission to educate children, strengthen their families, and build a healthy community. We partner with families in some of the most under-resourced neighborhoods of south Minneapolis with one overarching goal-tosend every youth to college or some form of post-secondary education. Urban Ventures is committed to providing a workplace which promotes diversity and inclusion.
Job Summary
Lake Street Works (LSW) is UrbanVentures' workforce development program that equips young adults with the skills, character, and connections needed to launch successful careers in the skilled trades and other high-demand industries. The Senior Program Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for LSW, ensuring the program consistently delivers high-quality experiences and strong outcomes for students. This leader is responsible for translating organizational priorities into effective program execution by leading people, managing operations, strengthening partnerships, and driving continuous improvement.
The Senior Program Director is a collaborative leader who excels at building systems, developing people, and creating accountability. They are highly organized, detail-oriented, and operationally minded, with the ability to think strategically, solve problems, and anticipate future program needs while maintaining excellence in day-to-day execution.
A member of the Senior Directors Team
This role will be part of the Senior Director Team at Urban Ventures. The Senior Director at Urban Ventures is responsible for overseeing and managing the organization's programs. In addition to direct program management, the Senior Director provides leadership, supervision, and accountability for assigned directors, ensuring high-quality execution and alignment with organizational priorities.
Working closely with the Executive Leadership Team and fellow Senior Directors, this role helps shape and implement program strategy that emphasizes our commitment to participant-centered service, a culture of excellence and care among staff, and the achievement of measurable outcomes that drive forward Urban Ventures’ mission, vision, and Big Goal.
As a key organizational leader, the Senior Director plays a critical role in influencing high-level programmatic decisions, fostering cross-departmental collaboration, and championing innovation and continuous improvement across all areas of responsibility.
As a Senior Director, you will:
- Provide direct leadership, supervision, and support to assigned program leaders and staff, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and collaboration.
- Lead hiring, onboarding, training, and professional development efforts for program staff, ensuring clear role expectations and alignment with Urban Ventures’ values.
- Conduct regular performance reviews and provide ongoing coaching and feedback to support continuous growth and development.
- Ensure program leads are equipped to effectively lead their teams by providing clear direction, performance support, and development opportunities.
- Facilitate weekly team meetings to promote accountability, communication, and cross-program collaboration.
- Identifychallenges and lead timely, informed problem-solving and decision-making that supportsorganizational goals.
- Establish and monitormeasurable program goals and key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring consistent progress and impact across all programs.
- Oversee accurateand timelydata entry in Salesforce and other systems to support evaluation and reporting needs.
- Collaborate with program leads on annual budgeting processes; monitorongoing adherence to financial guidelines and procedures.
- Partner with Advancement staff and actively participatein fundraising efforts to support program sustainability and growth.
- Uphold and model Urban Ventures’ mission, faith-based values, and policies, including safety standards and organizational procedures.
- Perform additionalduties as assigned in support of Urban Ventures.
Key Responsibilities (LSW)
Leadership, Management & Accountability
- Provide overall leadership for Urban Ventures workforce development efforts, beginning withLake Street Works program and its construction career pathways program.
- Ensure alignment with Urban Ventures' mission, strategic priorities, and organizational values.
- Lead the continued development and growth of Lake Street Works, ensuring programming prepares participants for meaningful employment, career advancement, and long-term economic opportunity.
- Build, coach, supervise, and develop a high-performing team through regular coaching, performance management, and professional development.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and excellence.
- Establish clear goals, performance expectations, and measurable outcomes for staff.
- Lead regular team meetings and ensure effective communication across programstaff.
- Provide leadership and direction for volunteers serving within Lake Street Works.
- Ensure volunteers are effectively trained, supported, and integrated into program activities.
- Lead daily operations of the Lake Street Works program, ensuring high-quality implementation across all program components.
Strategic Planning & Program Development
- Develop clear goals and implement annual program planaligned with Urban Ventures' strategic priorities.
- Evaluate program performance and identify opportunities to improve quality, efficiency, and participant outcomes.
- Build and maintain relationships with industry partners to ensure the program remains responsive to employer needs.
- Collaborate with organizational leadership on long-range planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
Operations & Program Excellence
- Ensure operational systems, processes, and procedures support efficient program delivery.
- Monitor enrollment, student engagement, attendance, retention, completion, and placement outcomes.
- Collaborate with the Enrollment Lead and other staff to ensure strong recruitment, onboarding, and student support.
- Ensure compliance with organizational policies, grant requirements, and program standards.
- Solve operational challenges proactively and implement systems that improve efficiency.
Finance & Administration
- Maintain accurate documentation and administrative records.
- Approve expenditures and monitor purchasing within budget guidelines.
- Monitor financial performance and ensure responsible stewardship of program resources.
- Develop and manage the annual program budget.
- Collaborate with Finance and Development teams on budget planning and reporting.
Data, Evaluation & Grant Reporting
- Establish systems for collecting accurate program data and outcomes.
- Analyze program performance using key metrics to drive decision-making.
- Provide timely reports and outcome data for grants, funders, board reporting, and organizational leadership.
- Ensure grant compliance and adherence to organizational financial policies.
- Utilize program evaluation findings to improve participant outcomes and program effectiveness.
Workforce Pathways & Community Partnerships
- Build and maintain strong relationships with construction employers, unions, apprenticeship programs, technical colleges, and workforce partners.
- Develop opportunities for internships, work experiences, job shadowing,mentorships, and employment placement.
- Ensure workforce programming remains responsive to industry needs, employer expectations, and emerging employment opportunities.
- Develop and maintain a strong understanding of workforce trends, industry demands, and career opportunities that can inform program development.
- Strengthen connections between participants, employers, and postsecondary training opportunities to support successful transitions into the workforce
Qualifications
Required
- Five or more years of progressive leadership experience managing programs and supervising staff.
- Knowledge and experience of Minneapolis workforce developmentsystem, career pathways, or youth employment programs.
- Demonstrated success leading teams and developing people.
- Experience managing budgets and administrative systems.
- Experience using data to improve program outcomes.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Dedication to youth development and Urban Ventures' mission.
- Commitment to Urban Ventures’ faith-based mission and core values.
Preferred
- Understanding of the construction trades, apprenticeship systems, or skilled trades industry.
- Experience working with grants and outcome reporting.
- Experience building partnerships with employers and community organizations.