Blue Door Academy Executive Director

TITLE: Academy Executive Director (Garfield)

DEPARTMENT: Programming & Administration

REPORTS TO:
CEO

                                    Exempt                               X Non-Exempt

SALARY: $70,000 - $75,000

HOURS: 40 hours per week.

Job Summary:

The Blue Door Academy Executive Director (Garfield) is the main employee assigned to our 7 Blue Door Academy sites in Garfield. This leader owns the full performance of the Blue Door Academy- driving youth enrollment, building the culture and serving as the primary relationship holder with school administration and families. The Blue Door Academy Executive Director is an owner-operation, accountable for results, responsible for community trust and empowered to build a consistent, high-quality program across 7 sites.

While the role carries all the operational responsibilities of a Club Director, the Blue Door Academy Executive Director will need to exhibit strong entrepreneurial leadership, community presence and growth accountability.   

Key Responsibilities

Program Operations

• Direct and supervise a staff of site supervisors, enrollment managers and youth development professionals across 7 school sites.


• Ensure site operations are aligned with Blue Door Academy standards and BGCA's core program areas.


• Ensure a safe, structured, and engaging environment that supports positive youth development outcomes.


• Track attendance, program participation, and member outcome data; use data to drive continuous improvement.


• Ensure full compliance with all applicable licensing, regulatory, and organizational standards.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Recruit, hire, supervise, coach, and evaluate all site-level staff.


• Set clear performance expectations; hold staff accountable through regular feedback and formal evaluations.


• Facilitate weekly staff meetings and provide ongoing training and professional development.


• Maintain staff schedules that meet required staff-to-member ratios at all times.

Operations & Fiscal Management

• Work with CEO to manage the Blue Door Academy budget; monitor expenditures and submit accurate financial reports on schedule.


• Maintain facility safety, cleanliness, and operability; complete daily safety checks.


• Submit all required operational reports including attendance, incidents, and grant documentation.

Membership Growth, School & Family Engagement

• Own the site's membership targets — actively recruit youth, monitor daily attendance trends, and implement strategies to grow and retain enrollment.


• Serve as the primary, personal relationship holder with school principals, administrators, and teachers; maintain a visible, consistent presence within the school community.


• Build trusted relationships with families — ensuring parents and caregivers know the Director by name, feel welcomed, and are actively engaged as partners in their child's experience.


• Lead parent engagement events, school partnership meetings, and community outreach initiatives.


• Represent Blue Door Academy in the broader community; position the site as a recognized and valued neighborhood institution.

Safety & Compliance

• Implement and enforce all organizational policies, safety protocols, and emergency procedures.


• Serve as a Mandated Reporter; report suspected abuse or maltreatment as required by law.


• Maintain accurate and confidential staff and member records.


• Maintain DCF, BGCA and DOH standards.

Qualifications

Education

• Required: Bachelor's Degree in Education, Human Services, Nonprofit Management, Youth Development, or a related field or completion of state licensing requirements for program lead.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in youth development, education, or human services.


• Minimum 3 years of supervisory experience managing a professional team across multiple sites.


• Experience managing program budgets and operational compliance requirements.


• Preferred: Prior experience with Boys & Girls Clubs of America or a comparable youth-serving organization.

Required Certifications & Clearances

• CPR/First Aid certification


• Mandated Reporter training completion prior to or within 30 days of hire.


• Successful completion of all required background checks, fingerprinting, and state clearances.


• Valid driver's license where applicable.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to engage diverse stakeholders.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and program data management tools.


• Ability to manage multiple priorities with accuracy and follow-through.


• Cultural competence and demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to actively participate in youth activities.


• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.


• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the facility for extended periods.

Required Certifications & Clearances

• Criminal Background Check


• Child Abuse Record Information (CARI) Clearance


• CPR/First Aid Certification (or ability to obtain upon hire)