The Program Director is a dynamic, creative educator with exceptional instructional, management, and problem-solving skills. The ideal candidate is a team player with a track record of effectively growing writing ability in young people, directing and evaluating programs, a steadfast commitment to improving the quality of K-12 education, and a passion for youth empowerment through writing and publishing. The Program Director sets annual programming goals with program staff, measures progress toward these goals, and works with the Executive Director and program staff to create and implement programs & curricula.
826 New Orleans is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce. People of color and native New Orleanians are strongly encouraged to apply.
826 New Orleans is looking for an Afterschool Program Assistant
The Afterschool Program Assistant will work with staff, youth and families, and volunteers to ensure the success of our Afterschool Program. Reporting to the Program Manager, the Program Assistant will engage with all aspects of the Afterschool program, including set up, direct instruction, and clean up. They will also assist the Program Manager with the Young Writers’ Council, our teen writing program, which meets every other Saturday afternoon. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a flexible schedule who loves working with young people and wants to see them blossom through creative writing and other artistic pursuits.
826 New Orleans is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply!
826 New Orleans is part of 826 National, an award-winning national network of youth writing centers. In addition to being an integral member of the 826 National network, 826 New Orleans plays a vital role in the local community. Our program team members have been recognized and honored locally, nationally, and internationally.
826 New Orleans cultivates a creative and courageous workplace. We value innovation and collaboration. We strive to be supportive and accommodating to employee needs for scheduling and work styles, and aim to create a humanizing work environment that prioritizes work/life balance.
Through innovative partnerships with local public schools and communities, as well as the support of over 500 volunteers, we have worked with over 8,000 public school students and created over 100 publications of student work, including chapbooks, fiction, poetry and graphic storytelling. The 826 Team offers free writing programs and publishing opportunities at our state-of-the-art Youth Writing Center in the 7th Ward and in our partner schools across the city. Our staff and volunteers help students develop a love of literacy, become published authors, and find the power of their voices on and off the page. You can read more about our impact in our 2021 Annual Report.
Under the leadership of the current Board and Executive Director, the 826 New Orleans team has worked diligently to establish essential partnerships, strengthen community connections, and extend program access during the height of the pandemic. 826 New Orleans is in a strong position with a progressing strategic plan, a talented staff, an engaged board, established funding, and community relationships.
What Will the Executive Director Do?
Reporting to the 826 New Orleans Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for establishing 826 New Orleans’s future goals and continuing to build collaborative partnerships.
The Executive Director manages the general operations, annual budget, strategic plan, staff, and programming. The Executive Director is also responsible for oversight in the areas of fundraising, public relations, and marketing. The selected candidate must combine a proven track record in nonprofit and/or educational leadership with a clear understanding of 826 New Orleans’s mission and program offerings to improve and expand the organization’s impact across the city.
What Qualities Are We Looking For?
826 New Orleans is looking for a passionate leader whose professional mission and dynamic vision aligns with the organization. The Executive Director should be an enthusiastic and inspirational leader and collaborator who has previously led healthy, dynamic organizations through growth stages. They should exemplify a belief in the power of youth voice while operating with curiosity, empathy, gratitude, and cultural competency. The Executive Director should lead in imaginative and creative ways.
826 New Orleans is looking for someone who can inspire and guide staff, students, board, and volunteers, modeling a work-life balance and positive relationships. They should possess an appreciation for the rich history and culture of New Orleans and the 7th Ward and understand the New Orleans public education landscape. Their leadership should elevate robust community engagement. Our candidate must be actively engaged in anti-racist practices and have a track record of leading efforts around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and a deep understanding and belief in the importance of these efforts.
What Do We Want to Accomplish in the Next Three to Five Years?
Our Board of Directors is seeking to hire a motivational leader who can accomplish the following overarching near-term goals:
Assess and track the progress of the existing strategic plan and make any necessary improvements based on informed stakeholder input to reach a near-term goal of publishing 2,000 students annually; lead ongoing strategic planning processes and implementation of the 826 New Orleans Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy
Launch additional school-based and on-campus programming, including:
Wee Write Early Learners Program for 3-5 year olds
826 New Orleans Writers Rooms in partnership with New Orleans public schools
Hire a development director and work with the Board of Directors to establish an annual fundraising goal; at this time, the organization is anticipating to operate a budget of approximately $900,000 annually
Increase engagement with and investment in our 7th Ward community
What Are the Job Responsibilities?
Strategy and Board Relations
Work with the 826 New Orleans board to track the progress of our existing strategic plan and lead the next phase of the strategic planning process for the organization, operating with a forward-thinking approach to its staff, leadership, and the entire organization through data-driven decision-making.
Report to the 826 New Orleans Board of Directors on programming impact, fundraising, finances, events, publications, personnel, strategic planning, and other 826 related matters; enlist their support as needed.
Work with 826 National to coordinate the work of 826 New Orleans with the other 826 chapters; represent 826 New Orleans at 826 National meetings, executive director meetings, staff conferences, and other convenings.
Financial Management and Fundraising
Ensure prudent fiscal management of 826 New Orleans, including establishment and review of salaries, management of expenses, strategic financial planning, and preparation of monthly financial reports and annual budgets.
Attract, hire, and support a Development Director who will create and implement 826 New Orleans fundraising strategies, including grant applications, corporate and private philanthropy, individual donations, and special events.
Work in partnership with the Development Director to ensure successful cultivation of financial gifts on behalf of 826 New Orleans; steward donors through every stage of a gift; deliver authentic gratitude, and provide timely information and individualized attention to donors and supporters.
Programming
Partner with the Program Director to oversee all programming and impact, including after-school, in-school projects, and workshops.
Ensure daily excellence and quality practices in accordance with 826 protocols and the Program Equity Framework; measure impact and make informed decisions based on the collection of qualitative and quantitative data.
Marketing/Public Relations/Communications
Develop and maintain relationships with education and community leaders that will facilitate programming growth.
Represent 826 New Orleans and its mission to students, families, funders, volunteers, the educational community, and the media; serve as spokesperson for media appearances and other public speaking opportunities.
Work closely with the communications team to guide external relations and collaborations, including website, annual fundraising appeals, and public relations.
Operations/Supervision
Supervise, direct, and support staff, interns, and volunteers to pursue 826 New Orleans’s educational mission, in alignment with its values.
Develop 826 New Orleans’s culture as a learning organization, providing consistent professional development plans, learning opportunities, regular feedback, and performance reviews.
Manage all legal and operational issues, including contracts, employment matters, technology, leases and building management, publication and other agreements, oversight of retail operations, and serve as chief organizational signatory.
What Are the Compensation and Benefits Packages?
826 New Orleans will offer a starting salary of $90,000 for this role. Although this is a full-time position (40 hours per week), the schedule for this position is flexible and may be a mix of in-person work at our Youth Writing Center in the 7th Ward of New Orleans and remote work. This position requires occasional evening and weekend hours.
826 New Orleans pays 100% of health insurance premiums for full-time employees. 826 New Orleans also offers a 3% matching retirement plan, 15 PTO days, 19 days of paid holiday, and 7 sick days per year.
How to Apply?
Please send a cover letter, resume, and contacts for three professional references to the 826 New Orleans Board of Directors through Maroon NOLA at 826NOLAEDsearch@themaroon.org. The application priority deadline is July 15, 2022.
826 New Orleans is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce. 826 New Orleans does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, political orientation, disability, veteran status, or gender identity or expression. 826 New Orleans looks forward to applications from individuals across diverse identities and lived experiences.
What Will the Candidate Engagement Process Look Like?
Candidate cover letters should include and highlight alignment to the organization’s mission, summarize skill set and capacity to lead the organization, and a connection to previous successful experiences.
Maroon NOLA will conduct initial application materials screenings and invite selected applicants into virtual (or phone) interviews.
Maroon NOLA will select up to 10 finalists, who can each expect between 1-3 rounds of interviews with Board members and search committee members, a 3-part performance task process (with a stipend provided), and engagement sessions with the 826 New Orleans Board and stakeholders. During these final application stages, finalists will be provided an opportunity to connect with key staff and stakeholders to learn more deeply about the organization and its work.
The 826 Board of Directors will vote on their final selection and offer the role to the most-qualified and best-fit finalist.
826 New Orleans is looking for a Family and Community Engagement Coordinator.
The Family and Community Engagement Coordinator will work with staff, youth and families, volunteers, and other stakeholders to increase and maintain engagement with 826 New Orleans Programs. Reporting to the Director of Programs, the Engagement Coordinator will manage all aspects of volunteer program, increase student and family engagement across programming, develop systems that will build, grow, and sustain relationships with educators, schools, volunteers and organizations, build and grow our relationship with our neighbors (people, schools, businesses), and ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion are a key part of volunteer materials and training.
826 New Orleans is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply!
826 New Orleans is looking for a dynamic Manager to launch our Early Childhood Literacy Program!
826 New Orleans is seeking a dynamic and engaged Manager for our new Wee Write Program.
The 826 Wee Write Manager will launch an Early Childhood Literacy Program designed to provide 100 students ages 3-5 with the literacy support they need in advance of elementary school. Our Early Childhood Literacy Program is designed to radically shift the way writing is taught to preschoolers across Orleans parish. Our vision is to prime early learners with key literacy concepts in advance of entering elementary school, with the goal of ensuring a greater number of young people across New Orleans are reading and writing at their grade-level by 3rd grade.
826 New Orleans is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply!
826 New Orleans is currently seeking applicants for Director of Programs. We sat down with Kyley Pulphus to talk about her immense impact as the founding Program Director at 826 New Orleans and what applicants can expect from the role.
What brought you to 826 New Orleans, and how long have you worked here?
I first came to the organization when it was Big Class. I was a partner teacher, and the Big Class staff and volunteers helped my second graders write a poetry book. It was such a beautiful little piece of time. The executive director at the time told me the organization was in the process of joining the 826 network, and asked if I was interested in being the program director. I told him…no. I didn’t want to leave the classroom. He continued to offer the job for a couple more years, and finally I was ready to be the founding program director. I’ve held the position for four years.
What’s one achievement you’ve made here that you’re particularly proud of?
I have all the feels when I attend our publishing parties. There is something so special about seeing a young person get a copy of their published book in their hands for the first time. Someone always cries, and it’s usually me. I’m very grateful to have played even the smallest role in supporting a young person in sharing their story.
What is something you’re going to miss about 826 New Orleans?
There isn’t enough paper and ink, or strength in my hands, to write the unending list of things I’ll miss most about this very special place. But I will say this position has allowed me to connect with the most amazing people, both little and big.
What advice do you have for interested candidates? What disposition should they bring to their work and what expectations should they have of this position (and working with 826 New Orleans in general)?
Your ultimate goal should be to support a young person in telling their story in a way that feels authentic and true to them. The ability to manage several projects at one time, forging genuine connections with folks, and having a sense of humor has served me well. Also understanding that you are a prominent representative of the organization is important. The program director is often called upon to speak at events and to the press and is regularly featured on social media platforms. Get ready to be cute cute!
We are seeking a dynamic, creative educator with exceptional instructional, management, and problem-solving skills. The ideal candidate is a team player with a track record of effectively directing and evaluating programs, a steadfast commitment to improving the quality of K-12 education, and a passion for youth empowerment through writing and publishing. The Program Director sets annual programming goals with program staff, measures progress toward these goals, and works with the Executive Director and program staff to create and implement programs & curricula.
826 New Orleans is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply!
826 New Orleans seeks a visionary Director of Development & Communications who can lead the charge in building a comprehensive fundraising strategy for the long-term advancement and sustainability of our organization and the students we serve. The Director of Development & Communications oversees all aspects of our Development Department, including the design and execution of a comprehensive fundraising strategy that focuses on securing the resources our students need to thrive. This will include planned campaigns around annual and major gifts from individuals, foundations, corporations, endowments, and special events. We are looking for a results-focused, committed individual who has a passion for creative writing and educational equity.
826 New Orleans is looking for a dynamic Program Manager to lead center-based programs!
We are seeking a dynamic Program Manger to develop and foster authentic and impactful writing environments for young people. This person should have a mix of skills and experiences that demonstrate a passion for youth, writing, and education. This person is able to inspire creativity in youth, volunteers, and staff. Ultimately, this person has the passion and vision to help New Orleanians ages 6-18 develop the desire and skills to explore the unlimited depths of their imaginations through the power of writing.
826 New Orleans is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply!
Do you have a passion for youth writing? Want to learn about nonprofit management? 826 New Orleans is currently looking for dedicated individuals to join our team! Click the positions to learn more and how to apply.
