Director, Programs Communities in Transition Division - HYBRID

Find out exactly what skills, experience, and qualifications you will need to succeed in this role before applying below.

Overview : Background :

Background :

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, global development company that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions, and stabilization.

Based in Chevy Chase, MD (metro Washington, D.C. area), Creative has programs in more than 30 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.

S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Founded in 1977, Creative is a minority-owned, mission-driven organization that has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

We value diversity in backgrounds and in experiences. We are deliberate and self-reflective about the kind of team and culture that we are building, seeking staff that are not only strong in their own aptitudes but care deeply about supporting each other's growth.

Our success depends on all our employees' points of view, and the principle that inclusion is everyone's responsibility.

Position Summary :

Creative seeks a Director, Programs for its Communities in Transition Division who will bring strong operational management, technical quality, compliance, and quality assurance management oversight of projects within the Governance.

The Director, Programs will improve quality assurance of programmatic, administrative, contractual, and financial tasks and transactions in HQ that support excellence in project implementation and apply change, risk, and resource management principles when needed.

The Director, Programs serves as a lead in new business initiatives, including technical lead and / or lead writer, within the practice and CIT Division.

The Director, Programs will lead recruitment efforts in partnership with key corporate and program stakeholders to ensure exceptional project staffing.

S / he will provide detailed status updates to practice area leadership and other stakeholders as needed. This position oversees assigned program staff in the practice and oversees the development of individual growth plans for each staff and capacity building, training, and support across the team.

The Director, Programs troubleshoots problems that arise across assigned programs and coordinates with practice leadership and HQ offices to improve performance on internal processes.

The Director, Programs also works directly with Chiefs of Party, supervising as assigned and working collaboratively to solve issues with teams and ensure high quality, timely performance.

This may involve travel to projects for oversight / quality assurance, capacity strengthening, support / mentoring to new Chiefs of Party, or in an Acting COP capacity.

The successful candidate will be highly collaborative, will possess excellent communication and collaboration skills and bring the highest level of problem-solving acumen to the role.

S / he will thrive in a fast paced, matrixed management environment. S / he will work well with and interact frequently at all levels within the organization.

Reporting & Supervision :

The Director, Programs reports to the Practice Area Director (PAD), Governance, CIT Division. The Director, Programs supervises Senior Project Directors and / or Project Directors or Senior Program Managers / Project Managers or Senior Associates / Associates as designed for projects within the division.

Responsibilities :

P rimary Responsibilities :

• Oversees assigned projects in the governance practice, supervising Chiefs of Party and playing a Senior Project Director role as assigned;
• Supports BD efforts through strategy formulation, serving as technical lead, lead writer, contributing writer, reviewer and / or SME, partnership development, etc.
• Supervisees Senior Project Directors, Project Directors, (Senior) Program Managers and / or (Senior) Associates as assigned, including long-term professional growth and development of direct reports and all Programs team members;
• Serves as a high-level liaison with Creative’s support units, including HR, Finance & Contracts, Procurement, Field Operations, Communications, among others.
• Ensures that projects under the Director, Programs’ oversight achieve contractual deliverables and meet fiscal targets.
• Ensures projects are well planned and resourced, and tracks all aspects of project performance;
• Ensures that all facets of project implementation meet internal and governmental procedural and compliance requirements;
• Communicates with practice leadership and division senior management on matters of importance, including risks and opportunities;
• Oversees higher level relationships with subcontractors, including performance and financial management;
• Ensures that projects are fulfilling their KM, learning, and thought leadership goals and commitments per division plans; and
• Conducts periodic reviews of knowledge products developed out of their portfolios to ensure products provide the level of feedback most useful for portfolio and practice learning and application in program implementation and proposal design.

Qualifications :

Minimum Skills & Qualifications :

• Bachelor's degree and 15 years of experience or Master's degree and 12 years of experience;
• Minimum of ten years of supervisory experience;
• Minimum of 4 years of experience as a chief of party (COP);
• Demonstrated ability to assume responsibilities for large projects typically totaling $50M+ in funding, depending upon the complexity, projected timeline of the projects, and geographic location of the work;
• Demonstrated expert level knowledge and experience in directing specialized and complex work of others in project implementation;
• Demonstrated experience in providing operational and financial oversight to large projects to include budget realignments;
• Demonstrated experience in reviewing & approving project procurements, grants and purchase order agreements;
• Technical expertise in the areas of governance, peacebuilding, stabilization, and / or transitions, preferably in conflict and post-conflict contexts;
• Strategic thinker and decisive evidence-based decision-making skills;
• Experience in leadership of project start-ups and close-downs;
• Skill in managing teams, handling tight deadlines; ability to travel internationally on short notice;
• Deep knowledge of USAID Programs and Regulations;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to include, experience in making formal presentations to clients, peers and other groups; and

Languages :

Proficiency in French and Arabic.

Compensation & Benefits :

For employees working in the United States, the full-time equivalent annual base salary for this position is expected to be between ($166,000 $182,800).

Salary for part-time employees will be prorated based on actual hours worked. Actual offers will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant education, experience, skills, seniority, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Eligible U.S. based employees, will be able to enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus a 401(k)-retirement plan with a company match.

Additionally, employees will be eligible for company-paid annual leave (vacation & holidays), sick leave, parental leave;

as well as short- and long-term disability coverage. Detailed information will be provided at the time a formal offer is extended.

For employees working outside of the United States, compensation and benefits will vary based on location.

EEOC Statement : Creative is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics.

Military veterans, Ameri-Corps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Accessibility Notice : If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Ireneb@creativedc.

com. Please view Affirmative Action / Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision : Creative will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation. #LI-IB1

Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

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Remote working / work at home options are available for this role.