Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Best Buddies is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.

Job Title: Deputy Director, Programs

Department: State Operations and Programs

Reports to: State Director

# of direct reports: 3-6

Position Overview: The Deputy Director, Programs is responsible for supporting the programs staff in their state in implementing friendship programs and programmatic initiatives in alignment with organizational best practices. This is accomplished by training and coaching staff and volunteers, developing benchmarks for success, establishing and utilizing tracking methods, and working with the State Director to hold staff accountable for meeting their programmatic goals.

Job Qualifications – Qualified applicants must have:

• Concrete experience coaching staff and volunteers on programmatic implementation and developing and implementing tracking methods
• Superior project management skills - including planning, analysis, decision making, and problem solving - and willingness to multitask
• Superior initiative, drive for results, self-assessment skills, and ability to lead individuals and teams in setting and achieving challenging goals
• Must be highly dependable, lead by example and be willing/able to adapt management style to fit the situation and hold staff accountable for meeting set expectations
• Ability to effectively gain information and insight through questioning/probing and observation of staff in the field, analyze information, and provide meaningful feedback
• Superior presentation skills with the ability to exert influence, inspire others, and articulate the mission, goals, and activities of Best Buddies with passion and enthusiasm
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and database programs
• Must travel throughout their region, use personal cell phone, and work evenings and weekends as necessary in order to accomplish job responsibilities
• Bachelor’s degree or at least 3 years’ relevant experience in addition to above experience

Job Duties include, but are not limited to:

Programs

• Inspires and motivates programs staff by demonstrating personal commitment and integrity and providing proactive training, support, and recognition
• Works to ensure appropriate implementation of programs, including coaching staff and volunteers, tracking progress toward benchmarks for success, and establishing and utilizing tracking methods
• Works to hold staff accountable for meeting their programmatic goals, hitting benchmarks, ensuring database is kept up to date and following best practices and guidelines
• Executes the rollout of new programmatic initiatives and changes to current initiatives
• Directly manages programs during staff vacancies as needed
• Works directly with other leaders on strategies for appropriately incorporating programmatic staff and volunteers into marketing/branding efforts, and leveraging programmatic successes to increase visibility
• Works with State Director and Development staff to ensure that programs and program participants are properly integrated into community fundraising events
  • Works with state leadership to ensure that staff are trained in all areas of programmatic implementation

• Attends training as needed to maintain required certifications per state regulating agency

• Maintains an accurate and updated programmatic calendar for each area in their state
• Works with State Director and Director, Operations to project and maintain yearly program budget
• Oversees programmatic aspects of contracts, and ensures that programs are meeting all contract requirements with government agencies
• Works with State Director and Director, Operations to set and achieve yearly programmatic goals
• Leads effort follow all programmatic standards and maintain accredited standing

Development

• Works with State Director to ensure that program participants and staff are appropriately integrated into fundraising efforts, and that grant proposals reflect realistic programmatic goals
• Works with Director, Operations to research grant opportunities, maintains accurate records and submits reports as required by funders with support from BBI Grants Department

Marketing

• Works with State Director to create a strong presence for Best Buddies programs in the state through public speaking, community involvement, public service announcements, and other media initiatives
• Oversees organization of local content and images for updates to state website, and ensures that all local staff use databases appropriately to communicate with participants and the community

Operations

• Manages reporting for government contracts and foundation grants and ensures that Best Buddies is meeting all guidelines and contractual agreements effectively and on a timely basis
• Maintains communication with State Director and Director, Operations with timely reports, quarterly goals, and other information as directed
  • Oversees databases with all services provided to participants and employer communications by close of business each Friday
  • Leads preparation for any audits or accreditations
  • Coordinates the completion of the monthly and quarterly reports to the State Director
    
    

Human Resources

• Directly supervises staff- responsible for staff development, oversight, and providing meaningful performance feedback, as well as holding them accountable for meeting all development and operational goals, hitting benchmarks, and following best practices and guidelines.

• Inspires and motivates staff by demonstrating personal commitment and integrity and providing proactive training, support and recognition.

• Oversees recruitment, screening, hiring, and training of programs staff as necessary and in accordance with Best Buddies guidelines
• Monitors due dates for actions using the online staff portal, and works with State Director to ensure that reviews, time off requests, candidate screening, and employee recognition are completed accurately and on time

Best Buddies® is an affirmative action employer, in addition to an EOE and M/F/V/PWD/PV employer. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational to Best Buddies International’s core values and help the organization continue to achieve its mission. Here at Best Buddies, our goal is to lead and advocate for a more inclusive world.

Best Buddies offers a comprehensive and generous benefits program that include financial security, health and wellness and time off.