At Xiente, we believe every family deserves a real pathway to prosperity.
For more than 45 years, Xiente has partnered with children, youth, and families across Philadelphia to break cycles of poverty and create opportunities for long-term economic mobility through education, housing, workforce development, and community-centered support services. Through culturally responsive programming and deep community relationships, we help families strengthen their social, human, and financial capital so they can thrive for generations to come.
Today, Xiente serves thousands of residents annually through early childhood education, after-school programming, youth development, housing initiatives, financial coaching, and innovative community programs designed to create lasting impact.
We are seeking a passionate and experienced Program Design Director to help lead and strengthen our education-focused programming and continue advancing our mission of economic mobility and community transformation.
Position Overview
The Program Design Director will play a critical leadership role in overseeing the design, implementation, compliance, and operational excellence of Xiente’s education and youth-focused programs.
This individual will partner closely with executive leadership to ensure programs are high-quality, compliant, culturally responsive, and aligned with the evolving needs of the communities we serve. The ideal candidate is both strategic and hands-on — someone who can build systems, support teams, strengthen program outcomes, and help create transformative experiences for children and families.
This role requires a leader who understands the complexity of nonprofit program operations and is deeply committed to educational equity, community empowerment, and mission-driven work.
Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Strategy
Lead the implementation, management, and continuous improvement of education-focused programs across the organization
Oversee programs serving infants, toddlers, preschool-aged children, and school-age youth
Support development and launch of new grant-funded initiatives and community programs
Ensure programs align with organizational goals, funding requirements, and community needs
Create systems and operational structures that support program quality, sustainability, and growth
Compliance & Program Quality
Ensure compliance with licensing requirements, grant guidelines, audits, and nonprofit regulations
Oversee program documentation, reporting, and quality assurance processes
Monitor program performance metrics and implement improvement strategies
Support readiness for site visits, audits, and funder reporting requirements
Team Leadership & Collaboration
Provide leadership, mentorship, and operational support to program staff and site leaders
Foster a collaborative, mission-driven, and culturally responsive team environment
Partner cross-functionally with executive leadership and internal departments to strengthen program delivery
Assist with staffing strategy, onboarding, and operational planning
Community Engagement & Impact
Build and maintain strong relationships with community stakeholders, funders, and partners
Represent Xiente with professionalism, compassion, and cultural humility
Support initiatives that strengthen educational access, family stability, and long-term economic mobility
Qualifications
Required Experience
Minimum 5 years of experience in nonprofit program management or program leadership
Experience in Headstart or Early Headstart programs
Strong background in early childhood education, preschool, infant/toddler, and/or after-school programming
Experience overseeing grant-funded nonprofit programs
Strong understanding of licensing, audits, compliance, and nonprofit operational standards
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple programs and priorities simultaneously
Preferred Qualifications
Experience designing or scaling community-based education programs
Strong operational and organizational leadership skills
Ability to navigate fast-paced and evolving environments
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is:
Passionate about educational equity and community impact
Deeply aligned with Xiente’s mission and values
Collaborative, adaptable, and solutions-oriented
Comfortable balancing strategic leadership with day-to-day operational execution
Experienced working within nonprofit and community-centered environments
Skilled at building trust with families, staff, and community stakeholders
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: Approximately $120,000
Competitive nonprofit benefits package
Opportunity to grow within a mission-driven and community-centered organization
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Fully onsite, Monday–Friday
Why Join Xiente?
At Xiente, our work is rooted in the belief that lasting change happens when communities are empowered with access, opportunity, and support.
This is an opportunity to join a deeply mission-driven organization that is redefining what economic mobility can look like for children and families across Philadelphia. As Program Design Director, you will help shape programs that directly impact lives, strengthen communities, and create pathways to prosperity for future generations.