Program Director - CentralAvenue Brooklyn, New York, United States

Description · Position: Bushwick Leadership Center Program Director · Location: Bushwick, Brooklyn (311 Central Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221) · Salary: $60-65K annually · About El Puente · Founded in 1982, El Puente is a youth-centered organization that uses the arts and education ...

Job description

Description

Position: Bushwick Leadership Center Program Director

Location: Bushwick, Brooklyn (311 Central Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221)

Salary: $60-65K annually

About El Puente

Founded in 1982, El Puente is a youth-centered organization that uses the arts and education to advance social and environmental justice. Its mission is to inspire and nurture leadership for peace and justice, working as a human rights institution in NYC and Puerto Rico with national and international impact. El Puente creates community-led movements of self-determination through a holistic leadership and membership program model, as a high-impact youth and community development organization. As a staff member of El Puente, the Program Director is expected to uphold and work within the mission, philosophy, and principles of the organization. El Puente integrates its activities and community campaigns within its six Youth Leadership Centers and its nationally recognized public high school, the El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice. Organizing in North Brooklyn, Puerto Rico, and beyond, El Puente is at the forefront of community & youth development, and as such, initiates social policy locally and nationally. 

As a member of the El Puente staff, the Program Director is expected to embody and uphold the mission, philosophy, and principles of the organization.

Position Overview

The Bushwick Leadership Center Program Director is a dynamic, hands-on leader, who keeps the heart of the Center beating strong. The Director is responsible for cultivating a space where young people feel seen and their leadership and organizing skills are nurtured. The Center is a space where families should feel connected, and staff feel inspired to lead with purpose.

As the Center enters an exciting phase of rebuilding and growth, the Program Director will play a key role in strengthening its foundation, helping to establish systems, deepen culture and community relationships, and build a cohesive team.

The Program Director shapes vibrant, year-round youth and community programming rooted in El Puente's mission, 12 Principles, and commitment to justice. They ensure the center runs smoothly while also nurturing a culture that feels organized, welcoming, creative, and alive.

This is a leadership role for someone who believes community spaces can transform lives and wants to help build one every single day.

Leading the Center's Daily Operations

• Creating a center that feels safe, organized, welcoming and alive, where young people, families, and staff feel a true sense of belonging.

• Supporting the daily rhythm of the building including, opening, closing, communication, and safety, so programs run smoothly and with care. 

  
  

• Leading and supervising site staff, including Visual Arts and Breakdancing Facilitators, as well as the Membership Specialist and Community Liaison roles. This includes leading regular staff meetings, trainings, and team gatherings that strengthen collective culture, youth-centered practice, and shared accountability.

  
  

Growing Youth & Community Leadership  

• Bringing El Puente's mission and 12 Principles to life through year round programming rooted in justice, creativity, and care.
• Designing and facilitating experiences like afterschool, summer, workshops, sacred circles, and projects that invite young people to learn, lead, and imagine.
• Partnering with youth to develop academic and personal action plans that honor individual goals and collective growth.
• Building trusting relationships with parents and caregivers through consistent communication and wellness centered check-ins.
• Creating learning opportunities beyond the Center through meaningful field trips and outdoor experiences.

Supporting & Developing Staff

• Supervising and mentoring staff with clarity, compassion, and accountability, supporting growth into confident leaders.
• Creating professional development spaces where staff feel supported, challenged, and invested in.
• Supporting SYEP programming, including development, coordination, and recruitment.
• Welcoming interns and emerging leaders into programming spaces and supporting their learning through participation.

Building Relationships Beyond the Center

• Leading outreach and recruitment efforts that bring new young people and families into the Center.
• Cultivating partnerships with schools, community organizations, and cultural institutions.
• Strengthening family engagement and creating opportunities for alumni to remain connected to El Puente.
• Collaborating across sites to support shared Youth Leadership Development goals.

Strengthening the Systems Behind the Work

• Maintaining organized, up-to-date program documentation that reflects the integrity of the work.
• Helping sustain a clean, respectful, and well-used space that reflects pride in the community.
• Supporting the setup and reset of program spaces so gatherings feel intentional and prepared.
• Staying in regular communication with leadership, colleagues, and partners with transparency and care

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent leadership experience in a similar setting
• Experience working in community-based organizations
• Proven administrative and organizational skills
• Commitment to El Puente's vision and mission

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Experience supporting or leading recruitment and outreach efforts
• Background in community organizing, leadership development, or holistic youth/community development
• Knowledge of community-based services and referral systems
• Familiarity with the Bushwick community and experience engaging local families
• Experience supervising staff, interns, or youth leaders
• Joy for the work, a sense of humor and an excitement for learning strongly encouraged

Schedule

• Full-time position, based in Brooklyn.
• Typical hours: Monday–Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (with occasional evenings/weekends as needed).

Salary & Benefits

• $60-65K + generous benefits 

Commitment to Equity

El Puente is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to building a staff that reflects the communities we serve and strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, DREAMers, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community