Program director

About This Opportunity

We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. If you are passionate about advancing economic justice and have strong leadership skills, we want to hear from you.

This senior leadership role provides strategic direction and high-level oversight for several of Ariva’s financial capability programs, ensuring they align with organizational goals and deliver meaningful community impact. The Program Director supervises staff, oversees program design and evaluation, secures funding, and cultivates partnerships with funders, city and state agencies, and community organizations. This position plays a key role in shaping Ariva’s long-term strategy for building financial stability in the Bronx and other underserved communities.

About Ariva

MISSION: Our mission is to bring economic justice, opportunity and inclusion to our Bronx neighbors and other underserved communities across New York City.

VISION: We envision a world where all New York City residents experience economic justice, financial inclusion, and the opportunity to build financially empowered and prosperous lives.

We offer free comprehensive financial capabilities services and free income tax assistance at locations around New York City. Information on our projects and programs can be found at

Position Description

Ariva is seeking a Program Director to join our leadership team. The Program Director is an experienced manager with demonstrated leadership abilities who works with us in developing, launching, executing, and evaluating effective programs that support vulnerable and underserved residents of our community. The Program Director has proven experience in managing, cultivating, and retaining staff.

Ariva currently offers free financial counseling and education, entrepreneurship support, and credit-building initiatives to over 5,000 New Yorkers each year in the Bronx and other underserved communities in New York City.

This is a full-time, in-person role, with an average schedule of approximately 45 hours per week. The position requires some evening and weekend availability to support community-based programs and events. This job involves frequent local travel to sites around NYC.

Responsibilities

The Program Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the assigned financial capability programs. This role ensures alignment with organizational goals, sustainability of funding, strong external partnerships, and effective program implementation through supervision of staff. The Program Director's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Strategic Leadership

• Set the overall vision and strategy for the assigned financial capability programs in alignment with Ariva’s strategic plan.
• Design, implement, and evaluate new and existing programs.
• Lead program budget development, monitoring, and financial reporting of assigned programs.
• Serve as a key contributor in agency strategy sessions with executive staff and the Board.
• Oversee contract management, including compliance and invoicing.
• Lead fundraising efforts, including grant writing and cultivating relationships with funders.
• Design and oversee community outreach campaigns that build a sustainable client pipeline.
• Design and coordinate program integration strategies with Ariva’s free tax preparation program.
• Review and approve communications content (website, social media, outreach materials).

Program Oversight

• Manage assigned financial counseling projects.
• Monitor program performance to ensure alignment with Ariva’s mission, funder expectations, and strategic priorities.
• Foster innovation by updating program models, curricula, and training materials in response to emerging financial inclusion needs.

Team Management & Operations

• Recruit, mentor, and supervise program staff.
• Develop and implement long-term professional development and staff retention strategies.
• Support succession planning and cultivate leadership capacity within the program team.

External Relations & Representation

• Represent Ariva in meetings with funders, city agencies, and external partners.
• Serve as a spokesperson for assigned financial capability programs.
• Build and sustain partnerships with financial institutions, public agencies, and community organizations to advance financial inclusion.

Core Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in nonprofit management, public administration, social work, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum five years of experience in nonprofit financial capability, human services, community development, or a related field.
• Minimum three years of experience in program management, including direct supervision of staff.
• Demonstrated success in strategic program leadership: designing, implementing, and evaluating multi-project initiatives.
• Proven ability to manage program budgets, contracts, and compliance requirements with funders, particularly city or government agencies.
• Strong fundraising and grant-writing experience, with demonstrated success cultivating and maintaining funder and stakeholder relationships.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, including public speaking.
• Adept at building and sustaining strategic partnerships with funders, community organizations, and government agencies.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexible, patient, with a sense of humor and a strong work ethic.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing economic justice and working with low-income and underserved communities.
• Bilingual Spanish/English.

In addition to the above required competencies, any of the additional skills and experience listed below are desirable:

• Experience with contract management specific to city or state agencies.
• Experience with financial counseling and adult education, and familiarity with consumer banking products.
• Experience with small business development.
• Experience with community canvassing, outreach, or client acquisition activities.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or other data management systems.
• Certification in financial counseling (CUNY Consumer and Personal Finance or equivalent).

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $80,000 - $105,000, commensurate with experience
• Subsidized health and dental insurance
• Generous paid time off
• 401K retirement plan
• Additional employee benefits

Interested applicants should email their resume and cover letter to Adelaida Morin at [email protected]. This posting will be open until filled.

Ariva Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person