Area Director

Title: Area Director

Organization: Boys and Girls Clubs of San Leandro

Location: Administrative Office & School Sites

Department: Programs

Reports to: Managing Director of Programs

Direct Reports: Program Managers

Exempt Status: Exempt

Position Type: Full-Time, On-Site

Compensation: $87,000 - $93,500

Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Retirement

About Boys & Girls Club of San Leandro:

For over 75 years, the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Leandro (BGCSL) has proudly served the San Leandro and San Lorenzo community as the primary provider of youth services. Our unwavering mission is to inspire youth—especially those who need us most—to achieve their full potential in a safe, positive, and engaging environment. We offer a wide range of programs to youth ages 4 to18 years old, including after-school programming, school break day camps, and summer camps. We take pride in providing a nurturing and supportive atmosphere where our youth can have fun and thrive across 23 Club sites, including San Leandro and San Lorenzo school-based sites and the Teen Clubhouse.

Why Come Work with Us?

Working at the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Leandro (BGCSL) is more than just a job—it's a chance to make a real impact on the lives of young people. Great futures start with YOU, and here, you'll find that we are as committed to our staff as we are to the youth we serve. By working with us, you'll gain valuable experience that will enhance your skills and open doors to future possibilities, all while enjoying a supportive and dynamic environment that promotes collaboration and innovation.

Join BGCSL to unlock your potential and enjoy a range of benefits that make your work experience rewarding, fulfilling, and fun.

Position Overview:

The Area Director is a hands-on leader responsible for ensuring multiple Boys & Girls Club locations are well-run, impactful, and thriving. This role focuses on coaching and supporting Program Managers and their teams to create safe, engaging, and high-quality youth programs. Acting as the bridge between strategy and daily operations, the Area Director provides guidance, resources, and problem-solving to drive success at each site. Through strong leadership, community partnerships, and staff development, they help shape a life-changing experience for young people. This position offers the autonomy to innovate, build strong teams, and foster a culture of excellence within a national movement dedicated to empowering youth.

Our Values in Action:

• Transformative Leadership: We aspire to transform possibilities into probabilities. By embodying emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and empathy, we foster positive change with humility, authenticity, and continuous self-improvement. What that looks like in this role: Coaching and empowering Program Managers to grow as leaders, fostering confidence and capability. Leading with authenticity—acknowledging challenges while inspiring your team to navigate them with a growth mindset. Creating a culture of trust and continuous learning, where feedback and professional development are encouraged. Balancing strategic vision with emotional intelligence, building strong relationships across teams and sites.
• Resilience: We approach every situation with a growth mindset, demonstrating flexibility and courage, reframing challenges as opportunities. We acknowledge our current state, embrace change, and adapt as needed, maintaining a solutions-oriented approach throughout our growth journey. What that looks like in this role: Adapting quickly to changing circumstances, ensuring programs continue running smoothly. Viewing challenges as opportunities, modeling a solutions-focused mindset for your team. Staying flexible and proactive in addressing staffing shortages, operational hurdles, or program adjustments. Encouraging your team to embrace change, fostering confidence in navigating new situations.
• Youth Centered Approach: Every organizational action or maneuver is designed to directly impact and benefit the youth we serve. We value and prioritize the youth perspective, making decisions with a focus on their needs and well-being, rather than adult convenience. What that looks like in this role: Ensuring every decision prioritizes youth impact, not just operational ease. Challenging teams to ask, "How does this serve our kids?" in all planning and execution. Staying connected to youth voices by observing programs, gathering feedback, and advocating for their needs. Fostering safe, engaging, and enriching Club environments where every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Essential Functions:

• Program Manager Supervision & Development: Hire, train, and coach Program Managers to build strong teams, run effective programs, and foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented culture where staff feel supported and accountable.
• Professional Growth & Leadership Coaching: Provide ongoing professional development, coaching, and feedback to help staff grow as leaders and continuously improve program delivery.
• High-Quality Program Implementation: Monitor and support the execution of well-designed programs that align with BGCSL's mission and goals while ensuring thoughtful use of program resources, including supplies, staff, and budgets.
• Data-Driven Program Evaluation: Conduct site visits and use data to assess program quality, identify areas for improvement, and implement continuous quality improvement (CQI) strategies.
• Compliance & Grant Management: Ensure timely and accurate reporting, attendance tracking, and adherence to grant requirements (ASES, ELOP, and other funders) while aligning programs with BGCA expectations.
• School, Family & Community Partnerships: Serve as a liaison with school principals, district administrators, and community organizations to align Club programs with school priorities, support family engagement, and advocate for youth programs.
• Safety & Inclusive Club Environments: Oversee safety protocols, emergency preparedness, and a culture of inclusion at all Club sites, ensuring youth feel safe, supported, and engaged.
• Membership Growth & Retention: Support teams in recruiting, retaining, and engaging youth by creating welcoming, high-quality program experiences that foster long-term participation.

BGCSL Core Competencies:

Commitment to Safety & Quality

Prioritizing the physical, emotional, and psychological safety of youth, staff, and the community while adhering to established quality standards.

Accountability and Integrity

Maintaining high standards of ethical behavior, transparency, and responsibility in all actions and decisions.

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Analyzing complex situations, identifying challenges, developing effective solutions, and implementing action plans that lead to positive outcomes.

Communication & Listening

Exhibiting clear, empathetic, and effective communication skills while actively listening to others to build trust and understanding.

Cultural Competency

Promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect for all communities served.

Leadership

Inspiring, guiding, and influencing individuals and teams to achieve a shared vision and organizational goals.

Teamwork

Collaborating effectively with others, building positive relationships, and contributing to a shared goal.

Financial Stewardship

Managing resources responsibly with an emphasis on sustainability and transparency.

Results Orientation

Setting measurable goals, monitoring progress, and delivering high-impact outcomes aligned with the organization's mission and strategic priorities.

Change Management & Adaptability

Navigating, leading, and embracing change effectively while maintaining organizational stability and progress.

Requirements:

Qualifications & Experience: Required:

• 4+ years of experience working with youth in an organized setting.
• 3+ years of management experience in a youth development, education, or nonprofit setting.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Education, Social Work, Nonprofit Management or related fields.
• Knowledge of youth development best practices and after-school programming.
• First Aid and CPR certification (or ability to obtain).
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of registration and auto insurance.

Preferred:

• 5+ years of leadership experience in youth development or education.
• Advanced degree in education, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Experience in change management and program development or operations.
• Familiarity with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) programs and impact areas.
• Training in Positive Youth Development and behavioral intervention strategies.
• Experience facilitating family engagement efforts and school-community partnerships.
• Knowledge of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) practices.

Work Environment: This position will work in a standard office environment at the Boys & Girls Club of San Leandro and school settings. This role will routinely require flexibility to accommodate organizational events or deadlines. Key aspects of the work environment include:

• Applicants must be able to successfully perform the essential functions of this position with or without a reasonable accommodation:
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger handle or feel objects, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and pull/push.
• The employee must occasionally lift and or move up to 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of San Leandro is committed to diversity and inclusion and is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, disability, sex, age, ethnic or national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or presentation, pregnancy, genetics, veteran status or any other status protected by state or federal law. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

The above description is intended to describe the general content and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time, nor does it change your status as an at-will employee. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.