Director, Program Administration

Starfinder Foundation

Director, Program Administration (FT/Hybrid)

Who We Are

Starfinder Foundation is a nonprofit organization that uses soccer to inspire social change and transform the lives of youth in underserved communities, one kid at a time. Our vision is a Philadelphia region where the playing field is level, and all kids are thriving.

_ We are guided by the following principles: _

• All kids deserve to learn, grow and thrive.
• A strong community is our greatest asset.
• Young people have a great deal to contribute.
• Soccer is a powerful vehicle for youth development.
• Play makes life better.

Why We Do It

At Starfinder Foundation (Starfinder), we are actively refuting the idea that Philadelphia's underserved youth need to stay underserved. We refute the idea that only the kids with the most resources can be successful or that graduation and college is attainable to some, but not to all.

This is why we do not just help kids on the soccer field; we empower them to develop off the field, too. We provide educational resources, emotional support and leadership training. We cultivate a supportive, tight-knit community that pushes young people forward.

Starfinder is an award winning, internationally recognized nonprofit organization that promotes positive youth development for pre-school, elementary, middle, and high school youth, through high-quality youth sports programming. We use soccer as a framework to provide the opportunity and support youth need to be healthy contributors to their communities.

We offer young people an experience through which they can excel in athletics, while practicing life and leadership skills in a safe, fun, supportive, and challenging environment.

What We Need

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Director, Program Administration is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing the effective delivery of Starfinder Foundation's sports-based youth development programs. This position leads a team, including a Program Manager and a Program Coordinator and a cadre of coaches and coach mentors, to ensure that all programming aligns with the organization's curriculum, meets partner expectations, and fulfills reporting and compliance requirements. The Director will drive operational excellence, strengthen internal systems, and support continuous program improvement to achieve high-quality outcomes for all youth participants, alumni and coach-mentor staff.

What They'll Do

Program Oversight and Quality Assurance

• Ensure all programs are delivered in alignment with established curricula, philosophies, and best practices.
• Monitor program activities and outcomes to ensure compliance with funder, partner, and contractual obligations.
• Develop and manage systems for tracking program delivery, participation, and evaluation data.
• Regularly assess and refine program implementation to maintain high standards of quality and relevance.

Team Leadership and Supervision

• Directly supervise the Program Manager and Program Coordinator, providing coaching, support, and performance management.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and mission-driven culture within the program team.
• Identify professional development opportunities to strengthen staff skills and program delivery.

Partnership Management and Compliance

• Serve as a liaison with program partners to ensure smooth coordination and fulfillment of partnership agreements and engage in new partnership opportunities.
• Collaborate with development and grants teams to ensure timely and accurate program reporting.
• Support grant applications and renewals by providing program data, narratives, and success stories.

Administration and Operations

• Develop, manage, and monitor program budgets in collaboration with organizational leadership.
• Oversee scheduling, logistics, and administrative processes related to program delivery.
• Establish and maintain systems to ensure program documentation is accurate, complete, and audit ready.

Strategic Planning and Innovation

• Contribute to strategic planning and decision-making as a member of the leadership team.
• Analyze program data and feedback to recommend improvements and innovations.
• Stay informed about best practices and emerging trends in youth development and/or (field-specific) programming.

Additional Tasks

• Attend and support major program related initiatives and activities.
• Attend and support key donor related initiatives and activities.
• Actively network amongst industry peers, source and attend professional development opportunities.

What We're Looking For

_ Education _

Master's degree preferred; however, we seek to hire the best candidate with a bachelor's degree or combination of education and experience in fields like nonprofit management, operational effectiveness, public administration, education or organizational behavior.

_ Experience _

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in program administration and direct service, including at least 2 years in a supervisory role.
• Strong project management, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated experience ensuring program compliance with curriculum guidelines and partnership agreements.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build trust and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency with program management software, CRM's, data monitoring and evaluation systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Working understanding positive youth development, sports-based youth development and direct/indirect experience in program implementation.

This may also be a great fit, if you..

• Love building strong teams and strong spreadsheets with equal enthusiasm.
• Believe that structure creates freedom—and you're passionate about building strong foundations so creative, mission-driven work can flourish.
• Believe that no great program runs on passion alone — it needs strong systems, thoughtful leadership, and lots of heart.
• Are the kind of person who sees a blank calendar or an unclear process and thinks, "Oh good, a chance to make something better."
• Can inspire a team meeting, organize a reporting system, and charm a partner organization—all before lunch.
• Think of compliance not as a burden, but as an art: the art of helping programs shine while staying true to commitments.
• Have been told you're a "glue person" — the one who holds people, processes, and big dreams together.
• Have ever been called a "renaissance person" because you love leading teams, building systems, and keeping big-picture goals in focus while managing the daily details.
• Feel equally at home coaching staff, analyzing program data, and jumping in to solve last-minute logistical challenges.
• Get genuine satisfaction from helping programs not just run but thrive—ensuring quality, consistency, and meaningful outcomes for participants.
• Know how to turn grant requirements and partnership obligations into opportunities for deeper program impact, not just checklists.

Where They'll Work

We foster a hybrid work environment, where the priority is being most effective regardless of where that may be. We do, however, have one required in-person day per week, where administrative staff come together for collaboration and community building. In addition to the one required in-person day per week, this role will specifically require a high level of time management skills, as they will have in-person meetings with partners, regular attendance at afterschool and weekend programs to ensure program quality and compliance, and to coordinate with reporting staff.

Benefits

$65,000-$75,000, Salary is commensurate with experience

The position includes medical, vision and dental healthcare benefits, 100% covered by the organization for all employees so there are no out of pocket costs. Benefits also include generous paid time-off allotment, including paid holidays, office closure the last week of the calendar year, floating holidays, personal days, sick days and vacations, as well as 403(b) participation.

How to apply

Please send a cover letter and resume outlining your fit for this role, and feel free to include any work samples that display your fit for this role.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Additional Detail

Starfinder's mission requires that our staff interact with and understand a broad array of cultures and backgrounds. We value having a talented team that reflects the population we serve, who come from diverse backgrounds and traditions, and who vary by race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, culture, religion, and abilities. We encourage individuals to apply who will contribute to a positive, inclusive, participatory learning environment and will help reinforce an atmosphere of mutual respect.

Starfinder Foundation believes in and is firmly committed to equal employment opportunity for employees and applicants. Its policies prioritize equity and inclusion and conform to federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination in employment because of race, creed, color, ancestry, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, disability, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for military service, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, and local laws. This commitment applies to all aspects of Starfinder's employment practices, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promotion.

All staff must satisfactorily complete a series of credentials, including PA Criminal Background Check, Child Abuse History Clearance, Mandated Reporter Certification, FBI Clearances.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65, $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending