Director of Programs

Career Opportunity: Director of Programs with EPIC Youth in Columbus, OH

Are you an enthusiastic, hands-on leader who thrives on building meaningful programs, developing strong teams, and creating lasting impact for young people? Do you bring experience in youth development, mentorship, facilitation, and program excellence? Are you energized by the opportunity to coach staff, strengthen program quality, and help youth grow as confident leaders? If so, we want to speak with you!

The Director of Programs provides strategic and hands-on leadership across EPIC Youth’s programs, ensuring high-quality, consistent, and impactful services. This role strengthens program models, supports staff development, and drives continuous improvement in alignment with EPIC Youth’s mission of mentorship, leadership development, trauma-informed practice, and measurable youth outcomes.

Pay range: $65k - $73k; depending on experience and knowledge.

Responsibilities of the position include:

Lead the design, refinement, and implementation of EPIC Youth programs to ensure consistency, effectiveness, and alignment with organizational standards.
Ensure all programs integrate mentorship, leadership development, and skill-building as core strategies.
Oversee quality assurance processes, including curriculum fidelity, facilitation standards, and participant engagement.
Ensure programs reflect best practices in PBIS, social-emotional learning (SEL), trauma-informed care, and positive youth development.
Support the development of staff facilitation skills, including group management, public speaking, youth engagement, and culturally responsive instruction.
Model high-quality facilitation and mentorship through direct engagement as needed.
Supervise Program Managers and support their growth as leaders, facilitators, and mentors.
Provide coaching, feedback, and performance oversight to ensure staff meet EPIC Youth’s expectations for professionalism, relationship-building, and youth impact.
Identify training needs and support ongoing staff development in mentorship, behavior support, and leadership instruction.
Ensure mentorship is embedded across all EPIC Youth programs, with clear expectations for relationship-based engagement and youth accountability.
Oversee systems for tracking youth goal progression, behavior growth, leadership development, and skill acquisition.
Support staff in addressing complex youth needs through trauma-informed and strength-based approaches.
Oversee program evaluation, data collection, and outcome reporting to support accountability and continuous quality improvement.
Use data to assess program effectiveness, identify trends, and inform strategic decisions.
Ensure accurate documentation and reporting across programs.
Support program leaders in cultivating strong relationships with families, schools, community partners, and referral sources.
Ensure programs are responsive to community needs and connected to relevant community resources.
Represent EPIC Youth professionally in meetings, trainings, and collaborative efforts as needed.

Requirements of this position include:

Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred in Education, Social Work, Youth Development, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
Minimum of 7 years of experience leading youth-serving, educational, or mentoring programs
Minimum 3 years in managerial role with responsibility over staff
Demonstrated experience supervising staff, developing programs, and ensuring quality outcomes.
Strong background in facilitation, mentorship, and community-based programming
Experience in program design, development, and quality assurance
Strong instructional leadership and facilitation skills
Knowledge of traumatically informed and culturally responsive practices
Experience supervising, coaching, and managing staff performance.
Ability to use data to guide decision-making and evaluate program outcomes.
Effective communication and public speaking skills
Experience with community engagement and partnership development

About EPIC YOUTH

EPIC Youth is a mentoring and empowerment organization dedicated to equipping young people with the leadership, academic, and professional skills they need to succeed. Through mentorship, hands-on learning experiences, and dynamic programs, we empower students to build confidence, develop strong character, and prepare for their future careers.

Our work began with two core gender-focused initiatives—Eryn PiNK Girl Empowerment and Men of ICE—which provide tailored leadership and personal development programs designed specifically for girls and boys. Now have expanded to leadership academies, in-school programs, and mentorship initiatives with structured pathways for self-discovery, teamwork, and critical thinking. At EPIC Youth, we believe that every student deserves access to transformative experiences and a supportive community. By providing safe spaces and meaningful opportunities, we ensure that young people are not just prepared for life—but inspired to lead in it.

OUR EPIC VISION: At EPIC Youth, our vision is to create a dynamic, inclusive, and transformative ecosystem where young people are equipped with the skills, confidence, and support needed to thrive in school, career, and life.

EPIC Youth Core Values: At EPIC Youth, our values guide our mission to equip young people with the confidence, skills, and opportunities to lead purposeful lives.

Empowerment: We provide the tools, mentorship, and support young people need to discover their strengths, build confidence, and take control of their futures.

Purpose: We help youth uncover their passions and define their path, encouraging them to live with intention and make a meaningful impact in their communities.

Innovation: We embrace creativity, forward-thinking solutions, and real-world learning experiences that prepare students for success in an ever-evolving world.

Apply online today to join a great team!

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