Associate Director of Programs

Partners for Rural Impact’s (PRI) ultimate goal is for an America where all kids are successful, regardless of zip code, income, background, or ability.  At PRI, our focus is on ensuring that all children in rural places achieve success. Partners for Rural Impact was born out of our place-based partnership in Appalachia, where we’ve worked for 25 years to create student opportunity and success. 

Position Summary 

Reporting to the Director of Programs, the Associate Director (AD) is responsible for the successful execution, performance, and compliance of a portfolio of programs and grants from launch through close-out. This role oversees program quality, financial stewardship, risk management, and measurable outcomes to ensure all initiatives meet grant requirements and organizational expectations.  The AD maintains a strong working knowledge of each project’s design, staffing, budget, performance metrics, and operational risks, using data to monitor progress, identify gaps, and support continuous improvement. In partnership with the Director, the AD ensures Project Directors have the tools, support, and accountability structures needed to achieve results aligned with grant objectives, school accountability systems, curriculum standards, and state assessments.  This role enforces strong compliance across human resources, financial management, contracts, procurement, data governance, and audit readiness, while fostering a culture of ownership, transparency, and results-based accountability. The position leads and operates with the goal that All Rural Students Succeed.   

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements of the position are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability , with regular and predictable attendance essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Program & Grant Management 

• Partner with Project Directors to ensure the successful execution of programs and grants across the full lifecycle, including launch, implementation, monitoring, and close-out 

• Ensure programs align with grant requirements, school accountability systems, curriculum standards, and state assessments 

• Support day-to-day operations and lead assigned workstreams within the portfolio 

• Facilitate collaboration across teams and partners to promote alignment, communication, and shared accountability  

Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement 

• Monitor grant deliverables, implementation progress, performance measures, and operational data to identify emerging concerns, support timely intervention, and inform course correction efforts in partnership with the Director of Programs 

• Analyze program data and reports to identify gaps, elevate risks, and support continuous improvement across the portfolio 

• Foster a culture of accountability, high expectations, and continuous improvement to ensure staff have the knowledge, support, and resources needed for success 

Compliance, Financial Oversight & Risk Management 

• Support leadership in maintaining compliance across financial management, human resources, data governance, contracts, procurement, and audit readiness 

• Ensure expenditures comply with federal and grant requirements for allowability, allocability, and reasonableness, with appropriate documentation and financial controls in place 

• Identify, monitor, and mitigate programmatic, financial, and operational risks to support effective risk management practices 

• Ensure consistent implementation of organizational policies, procedures, and operational standards across all programs 

Leadership & Staff Support 

• Provide coaching, guidance, and oversight to Project Directors to strengthen program implementation, problem-solving, and results 

• Perform other duties as assigned to support program goals and maintain a positive, respectful learning environment for staff and students 

• Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist and support in the attainment of our mission, All Rural Students Succeed     

Position Location & Schedule 

The position is a hybrid position with in-office presence  in Hazard, KY with local, state, and sometimes national travel . 

Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET with in-office, hybrid and/or remote work a possibility. Because of the nature of the responsibility to schools, partners, funders, and to the service region, individual offices or departments may have operating hours that extend beyond this period and may include evening and/or weekend hours. 
 

Minimum Qualifications 

Education required to ensure success in this position: 

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field, Master's degree preferred 

 Experience required to ensure success in this position: 

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in program administration, federal or state grant management, nonprofit leadership, education or a related field with a bachelor’s degree 

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in program administration, federal or state grant management, education, nonprofit leadership, or a related field with a master’s degree 

• Supervisory experience  if the role includes direct staff supervision  

• Experience analyzing and using data to develop strategies that improve student outcomes and academic performance  

• Experience facilitating meetings, cross-functional teams, and working groups to drive results and collaboration  

• Experience providing technical assistance, operational support, and problem-solving guidance  

• Experience with federal grant management, budget oversight, project management, and staff supervision  

• Experience managing the day-to-day operations of grant-funded programs 

Special skills, knowledge and abilities: 

• Experience with data collection, analysis and planning next steps 

• Experience implementing, monitoring and evaluating federal or state grants 

• Experience hiring and training staff  

• Experience with management of grant funds, including understanding guidelines on federal funds 

• Capacity to manage multiple tasks and to meet deadlines and expectations 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills 

• Computer skills including data processing and financial spreadsheets  

• Superior interpersonal and organizational skills 

• Belief that all rural students can succeed 

License, certification, or registration necessary: 

• Must have access to reliable transportation 

• Successfully complete pre-employment background check 

 
 Physical requirements: 

• Ability to work in a high-energy office 

• Ability to accurately communicate and exchange information with partners, stakeholders, and/or meeting participants 

• Ability to operate standard office equipment and computer software programs 

• Ability to travel independently by car and plane both locally and nationally 

 
 Environmental conditions: 

• Work in a fast-paced setting with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities 

• Periodic travel to meetings and events 
   

Additional Company Information  

PRI offers a wide array of benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, and health needs of you and your family. 

• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage. 

• Flexible spending accounts, plus an employee assistance program. 

• Life and long-term disability insurance and retirement plan. 

• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and annual holidays, in addition to paid parental leave. 

• Tuition assistance and professional development for employees. 

 
 Partners for Rural Impact is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.