Required Core Staff: Program Director

Running a YouthBuild program requires the full attention of an effective leader. When final decision-making authority is delegated to more than one individual, the program can lose coherence. The program manager can ensure that the elements of YouthBuild program design work together as a holistic model. Program directors unify staff around program goals and purposes using their unique leadership style. Program managers often have a strong influence on setting program culture that affects every participant, even if they do not see participants daily. Grant awardees who do not have a program director in place at time of application should hire this leader as soon as possible.

Encouraged Best Practices for Program Director

• Clear lines of accountability. Though the program director may hire specialized accountants, job developers, educators, trainers, and case managers, the director has ultimate responsibility for program success and outcomes. Program directors should read or re-read the statement of work from their grant application and manage timely amendments to any conditions of award at the outset of the program. They should also connect with their Federal Project Officer and view trainings on program performance indicators, such as these videos: YouthBuild GPMS Data Entry Video Series.

• Staffing. Program directors should have supervisory skills and staffing experience. Though the director is the decision-maker, best practice is to include staff and YouthBuild alumni or current participants to weigh in on the hiring process, especially if it 's for a position that participants interact with daily. Program directors should build an organizational chart as new staff are added or as they exit. Review the YouthBuild Staffing Resource Collection for more information.

• Mechanisms for staff supervision, accountability, and cohesion. Coordination can include weekly staff meetings, weekly supervisory meetings, and all staff meetings. Program directors should ensure the program has compliant and documented policies and procedures, including those that relate to hiring and terminating a staff member. Read about required policies and procedures and see samples in the YouthBuild Policies and Procedures Guide.

• Partner relationships. Program directors should seek out new partnerships for their YouthBuild grant and work to maintain and develop current partnerships.

Additional resources for program directors:

• YouthBuild Financial and Administrative Training Session
• YouthBuild Fiscal Resource Collection
• YouthBuild Policies and Procedures Overview
• YouthBuild Blueprint: Data Management

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