PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Bottom Line
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Detroit Metro, MI
Who We Are and What We Believe:
Founded in 1997, Bottom Line is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization with a mission to partner with degree-aspiring students of color from under-resourced communities as they get into college, graduate, and go far in life. We achieve this mission by providing one-on-one guidance during the college application process through college graduation and the successful launch of their careers.
Our vision is to dramatically transform urban communities by producing thousands of new career-ready college graduates.
When you join Bottom Line, you will find a rewarding, fast-paced, results-oriented environment. We build strong relationships with our students and with each other. We take our work seriously, and we know that a focus on data and metrics is integral to our continued success. Experts in our fields, we are driven by our mission and extremely proud of the work we do.
What You Will Do:
This is an opportunity to join a national organization as a member of the founding leadership team in Detroit. Reporting to the Executive Director, Danielle North – the Program Director, will be charged with applying the fundamentals of Bottom Line’s programming to the local context. In FY26, the focus is on executing our access program as we aim to serve 180 students while also learning our success program readying for launch in FY27.
You will serve as a Bottom Line program expert, leading the Detroit region in implementing the organization’s best in-class program model, which has been validated with successful results from a randomized control trial, hence the focus on model fidelity in our regions. Your responsibilities include managing program resources, achieving key performance indicators, training, and supporting staff, building partnerships with schools and community organizations, and analyzing data to drive strong program results. With your expertise and dedication, you will make a significant impact on the lives of local students, helping them navigate the college application process and achieve their educational goals.
As a member of the Detroit team, you'll be at the forefront of shaping our programmatic presence in the region. This means not only growing our programs but also cultivating a dedicated and engaged team. Your role will be dynamic, evolving in response to the changing needs of the site. As we expand our footprint and deepen our impact, your adaptability will be pivotal. This presents a unique chance for you to make a lasting mark by tailoring your contributions to the evolving landscape and driving our mission forward. Your proactive approach and strategic insights will be integral to the growth and success of our programs in the Detroit area.
Primary Responsibilities:
Recruitment & Partnership Management – 35%
- In alignment with the Executive Director’s strategy, lead student recruitment efforts in Detroit, recruiting a second cohort of 180 College Access students for service delivery to begin Spring 2026 (FY27).
- Oversee recruitment efforts in future years based on the annual recruitment goals for the region. Develop and execute strategies for student recruitment activities in the region to meet annual recruitment goals for College Access and, ultimately, College Success programs.
- Ensure the Executive Director and National Program support understands progress toward recruitment goals throughout the process.
- Analyze data and trends to identify opportunities for improvement in recruitment processes.
- Build effective relationships with area high schools, youth-serving organizations, college admissions offices, and community partners, serving as an ambassador for Bottom Line’s work in the Detroit landscape.
- In collaboration with the Executive Director and with support from the Detroit Access Team Manager, and program operations, establish founding target colleges for Bottom Line’s success program in the Detroit area. With guidance from the Executive Director, develop key relationships with likely partners at target colleges (financial aid, student affairs, etc.)
- Represent Bottom Line in a professional manner in all dealings with external partners, ensuring retention of partnerships and deepening of relationships
- Collaborate with regional and program operations leadership to align program strategies with the overall regional goals
Program Management – 35%
- Oversee implementation of the College Access Program, aligning with Bottom Line's program model.
- Supervise and support College Access Team Manager and staff in providing high-quality services to students in the program in the inaugural program year and beyond.
- In conjunction with the Executive Director, identify program delivery sites and set up systems to facilitate the 2nd year of in-person programming.
- Communicate, oversee, and achieve site-specific Program Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the College Access program.
- Manage program resources, ensuring staff have the necessary resources to carry out their duties effectively.
- Oversee special projects, working groups, and scholarships related to the College Access program, ensuring their successful execution.
- Oversee efficacy of Access programming occurring after school hours at Bottom Line hubs and school partner sites.
- Provide after hours support at Wayne State University and partner sites including periodic facilitation of workshops.
- Evaluate program effectiveness through data analysis and feedback, identifying areas of improvement, and implementing necessary changes.
- Oversee launch of College Success Program, planned for FY27 with anticipated need to hire at least one college success advisor.
- Support regional growth by ensuring strong College Access to College Success Program transitions, expanding the number of students served year over year; in collaboration with the Executive Director and with support from Program Operations determine annual staffing needs during the first three years of program operations FY26-FY28.
Staff Management & Talent Development – 20%
- Lead the hiring process for all regional program staff with support from HR and the program operations team.
- Collaborate with Human Resources and the program operations team to create, deliver, and schedule onboarding and training programs.
- Foster a supportive, positive, and inclusive work environment, being available and approachable to meet the needs of each member of the Program staff.
- Observe and coach staff interacting with advisors/students, analyze data, and deliver formal annual performance review for the Access Team Manager and success advisor(s) along with informal ongoing feedback.
- Management of the Access Team and Operations Coordinator.
Secondary Responsibilities:
Organizational Support – 10%
- Serve as a critical member of the Detroit regional leadership team; supporting the establishment of the region along with the founding executive director
- Serve as a member of the program leadership team, collaborating actively across regions and with the program operations team
- Provide support to other organizational teams as needed, leveraging individual campus knowledge and available resources.
- Assist the Development Team by nominating and recruiting students for events, facilitating event components, and managing logistics.
- Represent the Bottom Line brand positively and take actions to increase brand awareness in the community.
Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without advanced notice.
Work Schedule:
Program Director will work a hybrid schedule which will require at least 3 days in person per week and up to 1 evening per week at our office or one of our school sites. Program Directors work approximately 5-6 Saturdays from September through May.
Direct Reports:
At this time, the Program Director manages the Access Team Manager and Student Support Coordinator. Once the Success program is launched, the Success Team Manager will also report to the Program Director.
Expected Travel:
20-30% (local travel), 10% outside of the region
Who Should Apply:
If you meet the qualifications below, you should apply.
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree and work authorization.
- Demonstrated experience in managing a team, providing support, feedback, and professional development opportunities to foster a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
- 5-7 years of work experience in college access, financial aid, program management, or a related field, preferably within non-profit environments.
- 3+ years of people management.
- Experience in developing trusting relationships with urban high school students.
- An ability to deliver high-energy, engaging presentations to different stakeholders.
- Confident, personable, and authentic presence, exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, and a customer service orientation.
- Ability to approach situations strategically and to solve problems creatively.
- Strong analytic skills and the ability to leverage data to inform process and results.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Experience with data entry, data tracking, Excel or any software related to data.
- A valid driver’s license and reliable access to a car for transportation.
Preferred:
- Knowledge, familiarity, or relationships with Detroit high schools or higher education institutions.
- Proven experience in leading interactive and motivating presentations, using strong public speaking skills to connect with stakeholders and spark enthusiasm.
- A drive to thrive in a dynamic, evolving environment where new ideas and growth are encouraged.
- Experience with data entry, tracking, and analysis using Excel or other data management software, with a strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Experience coordinating student recruitment initiatives and leading student-centered events that promote college access and success.
- Demonstrated commitment to Bottom Line’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values
How To Apply/Application Deadline:
All applications must be submitted via Bottom Line’s Career Page.
Please share your resume and cover letter.
The application deadline is December 8, 2025.
Start Date:
January/February 2025
Compensation:
$86,000 – 90,000
Benefits:
Learn about our benefits here.