Program Director - Northeast Community Center

THE COMPANY:
Northeast Community Center: Home of Harmony Project KC (NECC) utilizes the universal language of music to develop young musicians and minds, partner with families, and build community in Kansas City. Located at 544 Wabash in Kansas City, Missouri, NECC provides a welcoming, culturally responsive, strengths-based community where children and families are centered, supported, and celebrated. Through Harmony Project KC and related family-centered programming, NECC offers high-quality music education, artistic opportunities, supportive services, and community partnerships that help students grow as musicians, learners, and people.
THE OPPORTUNITY:
The Program Director will provide strategic and operational leadership for NECC programs, including Harmony Project KC. Reporting to the Executive Director, this leader will ensure program design, implementation, staff supervision, family engagement, artistic excellence, partnerships, and budget management are aligned with NECC’s mission, values, and strategic plan. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, mission-driven program leader who can translate vision into strong daily operations while building a culture of belonging, accountability, growth, and joy for students, families, faculty, staff, and partners.
KEY RESPONSIBILITES:
• Lead program visioning, annual operating plans, goals, timelines, staffing plans, budgets, and measures of success in alignment with NECC’s mission and strategic plan.
• Oversee planning, coordination, and execution of NECC and Harmony Project KC programming across sites, including classes, ensembles, private lessons, music therapy, supportive services, workshops, concerts, field trips, and special events.
• Design, maintain, and uphold program policies, Standard Operating Procedures, safety practices, arrival/dismissal procedures, student supervision expectations, and campus logistics in collaboration with program staff.
• Supervise, coach, evaluate, recruit, hire, contract, orient, train, and retain assigned program staff, Teaching Artists, Program Aides, Site Leads, contractors, interns, and volunteers.
• Champion artistic excellence, equity, culturally responsive pedagogy, representation, belonging, and joy across curriculum, performances, assessments, repertoire, and faculty development.
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with students and families; support parent engagement, behavior support systems, student success planning, bilingual communication, and family-facing workshops.
• Oversee program data quality, including enrollment, attendance, assessments, surveys, student logs, referrals, family communication, and outcomes; use data and feedback to evaluate effectiveness and guide improvement.
• Develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with schools, community organizations, arts organizations, family-serving nonprofits, funders, and stakeholders that benefit NECC children and families.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, finance staff, Development Director, and program leaders on program budgets, grant/reporting information, impact storytelling, purchasing, contracts, and resource planning.
KEY QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS:
• Bachelor’s degree required in music, education, nonprofit management, arts administration, social work, youth development, or a related field; master’s degree preferred.
• Music background and Spanish fluency are strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in youth programming, music education, arts administration, nonprofit management, or a comparable field.
• Demonstrated success supervising staff and contractors, managing complex program operations, working with school-age children and families of diverse backgrounds, and building community partnerships.
• Experience using data, feedback, and outcomes to improve programs and communicate impact.
Other Qualifications & Attributes:
• Strong fit with NECC’s organizational and staff values, including community, belonging, growth, joy, cultural responsiveness, openness, collaboration, and trust.
• Knowledge of the needs and strengths of children and families living in under-resourced and under-invested communities.
• Strong relationship-building, coaching, collaboration, problem-solving, organizational, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Culturally responsive and strengths-based approach to children, families, faculty, staff, and community partners.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across a multi-building campus and multiple program sites.
• Comfort with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, AirTable or comparable databases, Canva, and communication tools.
• Valid driver’s license and proof of valid automobile insurance; background check required.
• Full-time, exempt position, 40 hours/week, with a flexible schedule that includes evenings, Saturdays, and occasional special events.
 
ABOUT KANSAS CITY:
This position is based in the downtown Kansas City area, a city consistently recognized for its business-friendly environment and quality of life. Named one of Forbes' "Top 50 Best Places for Business and Careers," Kansas City is known for its vibrant, diverse community, making it an attractive place for professionals and families alike. The city has earned numerous accolades for its affordability and family-friendly atmosphere.
 
Often referred to as “The Silicon Prairie,” Kansas City has become a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological development. In 2018, Wendover-Insight ranked the region as the “No. 1 City for Business Growth,” further solidifying its reputation as a leader in business advancement.
 
Known as the "City of Fountains," Kansas City offers rich cultural experiences, with world-class venues such as the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, which was named one of the 15 most spectacular concert halls in the world. The city’s Crossroads district is a thriving hub for eclectic art and culture.
 
Kansas City is also renowned for its urban entertainment, award-winning cuisine, and major sports teams. Home to the Chiefs, Royals, and Sporting Kansas City, the region boasts modern and renovated stadiums for fans to enjoy.
 
For more information about the region, explore these helpful resources:
- Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association: www.visitkc.com
- Kansas City Area Development Council: www.thinkkc.com