Director of Programs

January 2026

Status: Staff, full-time exempt

Reports to: Aline Racic, Senior Director of Programs & Learning

Compensation: $90,000-$100,000

About the Role

Catalyst seeks a Director of Programs & Learning who exemplifies our values of learning, impact, and courageous thought leadership and will thrive in a fast-paced, teamwork-oriented nonprofit environment. The Director will develop and implement high quality, compelling learning experiences (in-person and virtual) for a diverse and sophisticated membership base in the multi-national region of Baja California and San Diego and Imperial Counties. They will identify and implement strategies to foster member engagement, new member interest, and community impact. Under the direction of the Senior Director of Programs & Learning, the Director will produce program and conference content and support peer networking and collaboration to strengthen effective philanthropy in our region, always championing equity. They will work in close conjunction with other members of the team to incorporate themes from our funder and cross-sector collaborations and advance funders' connection to and alignment with community-led initiatives.

Essential duties

The Director of Programs & Learning leads implementation of all member learning engagements. The role requires a detail-oriented implementer who enjoys interacting with people on a daily basis, can balance numerous projects at once, and is equally content to pour through registration lists to create nametags and stand in front of a crowd to deliver research findings. They are always a step ahead in the office, staying in touch with operations, communication, and program staff and external partners.

Programs (80%)

Leads the implementation, logistics, and design of engaging member learning experiences about best practices and emerging trends in philanthropy, as well as critical information about challenges and solutions related to regional and philanthropic issues.

Program Development:

• Works closely with the Senior Director of Programs & Learning to develop the annual program schedule and ensures that staff, member, partner, community, and nonprofit voices are incorporated. Responsible for in-person and virtual learnings and gatherings, including membership mixers, overnight site visits, and communities of practice.

• Supports the design, structure, content, and implementation of the annual program schedule and other programs that arise during the year.

• Plays a key role in annual full day conference as a thought partner in the planning process, lead in program content development, and support leading up to and during the conference day.
• Incorporates adult learning concepts into program design, including agenda co-creation, peer learning, and practical application of concepts. Deploys relationship building strategies to keep members connected to learning and to each other.

• Identifies and develops innovative ways to utilize peer-learning, technology, and immersive experiences (e.g., site visits, community event participation) to offer alternative learning environments
• Works with Senior Manager of Communications to extend access to content beyond its initial delivery.
• Ensures that learning opportunities are available throughout the region by identifying geographically diverse spaces to host events and utilizing technology for remote learning options.

• Provides logistical support for remote and hybrid meetings, including technology, setup, day-of management, and troubleshooting.

• Works with Senior Manager of Communications to ensure program topics and themes are clearly reflected in external Catalyst communications, social media, and relevant campaigns, as well as to identify areas for highlights and deeper narrative work.

• Works with the communications and member engagement team to implement audience development strategies and ensure timely development and distribution of key communication materials for programs and conferences.

Speaker and Panelist Selection:

• Supports the identification of impressive, inspirational speakers and topics. Serves as liaison with program speakers to ensure they are prepared for sessions and achieve program objectives.

• Supports in the identification and cultivation of local, state, and national partnerships with members, subject matter experts, and other philanthropy infrastructure organizations so Catalyst can enhance its learning sessions and conferences in coordination with others.

• Keeps up with best practices and best speakers in philanthropy and maintains awareness of community, state, and national issues and member priorities.

• Working with operations and finance staff, completes documentation and requests to ensure timely payments to speakers, vendors, and others.

Philanthropy CA and Funder Collaboratives (10%)

• Serves as Catalyst lead for Philanthropy CA Programs & Collaboration joint staff team to cocreate learning opportunities for our combined statewide membership.

• Attends Philanthropy CA subgroup meetings and acts as thought partner and collaborator in state-wide program offerings

• Ensures that Philanthropy CA content is relevant and inclusive of Catalyst member areas of interest/concern and border region experiences.

• Supports the facilitation and administration of funder collaborative meetings, as needed.

Organizational collaboration (10%)

• Works with Director of Membership and Impact to collect and report member feedback and ensure feedback is reflected in future program development.

• As a member of the external division of the organization, this role will also serve as support to team members as needed, whether administrative or implementation.

• Participates in organizational discussions, meetings, and projects.

• Works with other program managers and directors to develop content highlighting initiatives and topics led or championed by Catalyst.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a foundation or philanthropic funding organization.

• 10+ years of experience and demonstrated success in developing and implementing programming and events.

• Experience in program development, group facilitation, adult learning, and network building required.

• Top notch organizational skills with an ability to work under deadline on multiple projects using solid project management and planning expertise required.

• Strong attention to detail; both a creative thinker and a skilled implementer.

• Proven capacity to quickly learn new things.

• Excellent writing and research skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.

• Strategic thinker

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a part of a small team.

• Passion for the wellbeing of all people in the binational region and grounding in an equity framework

• Connection to communities throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties highly preferred.

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Salesforce or other customer relationship databases, and Asana or other project management platforms.

• Ability to reliably and regularly travel throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Schedule and Location

Catalyst practices a four-day work week in which full-time employees work 32 hours, rather than the more common 40 hours. This is a full-time, exempt staff position expected to work 32 hours/week, on average. Typical business hours are Monday-Thursday between 8:30am-5:00pm but work will occasionally take place outside of those times to accommodate organization or community needs and to meet deadlines. Catalyst is closed Friday-Sunday.

Our organization uses a hybrid work model, with all staff working in the San Diego office on Wednesdays but otherwise working from home or out in community. The office is open Monday-Thursday for optional use.

Compensation and Benefits

Catalyst offers a generous benefits package that includes annually 12 paid vacation days (e.g. 3 weeks), 16 wellness/sick days, and office closure the last week of the year; health (medical/dental/vision) benefits; a retirement plan (403b) contribution of 5% of salary independent of employee contribution; and flexible work hours and location. We also offer generous sabbatical, bereavement, and family leave programs. Catalyst ensures all staff have the necessary tools to successfully work remotely from their home or locations in the community. As such, Catalyst provides all staff members with a computer and any necessary related technology (such a mouse and/or keyboard), relevant software and subscriptions for core job functions, a Catalyst phone number that can be accessed through an online platform, and a monthly technology stipend ($60).

To Apply

Please submit a resume and letter describing your interest and qualifications on the following form:

We will begin reviewing applications on a rolling basis. The application will be open until the position is filled. Anticipated start date is early March.

If you have any questions about the role or process, please email and we will do our best to respond in a timely manner. While we appreciate your enthusiasm, please do not reach out simply to alert us to your interest.

Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties values a staff that includes perspectives from the diverse population of our region and the organization provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, age, medical condition, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, military.