Position Title: Director of Programs
Reports To: Executive Director (ED)
Compensation: $60,000 plus benefits including health care.
Location: Remote-based, with regular in-person meetings in and around the greater Madison area.
Download the job description: Director of Programs PDF
Position Overview
Open Doors for Refugees is seeking a dynamic and mission-driven Director of Programs to help lead and strengthen its growing programs that welcome and support refugees as they build new lives in Dane County.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Programs will oversee and contribute to a broad portfolio of program-related functions, including program management and expansion, partner engagement, volunteer coordination, events, and strategic initiatives. The Director of Programs will serve as a trusted thought partner to the Executive Director and, when appropriate, represent the organization in program-related conversations or meetings.
A primary responsibility of this role will be leading the expansion of Community Connections, Open Doors’ flagship volunteer mentorship program, following its successful pilot. Community Connections connects refugees with trained community volunteers who provide individualized, strengths-based support to help participants build the skills, relationships, and confidence needed to achieve long-term economic stability and full participation in community life.
As the program expands, the Director will oversee all aspects of implementation, supporting 30+ refugee/volunteer pairings. The Director will recruit and train volunteers, coordinate participant matching, provide ongoing support and problem-solving, cultivate strong community partnerships, and ensure a welcoming, culturally responsive experience for everyone involved. They will also lead program evaluation by monitoring outcomes, collecting qualitative and quantitative data, and preparing reports that guide continuous improvement, future growth, and long-term sustainability.
Beyond Community Connections, the Director will help develop and launch new initiatives that respond to emerging community needs. This includes designing and administering an individual grants program providing financial assistance to refugees pursuing education, employment, entrepreneurship, professional advancement, or other self-defined goals.
This position offers significant opportunities for professional growth and leadership. As Open Doors continues to expand, the Director of Programs will have the opportunity to shape new programs, contribute to organizational strategy, and develop responsibilities that align with their interests, expertise, and the evolving needs of the organization.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and Expand Community Connections
- Lead Community Connections from pilot to full implementation, serving 30+ refugee and volunteer pairings while preserving a relational, participant-centered approach.
- Coordinate participant outreach, intake, matching, orientation, volunteer training, and ongoing support in collaboration with the Executive Director and community partners.
- Serve as a primary contact for participants and volunteers, offering guidance, troubleshooting, referrals, and practical resources that support consistent, respectful engagement.
- Track activities, outcomes, participant feedback, volunteer reflections, stories, photos, and lessons learned to support improvement, reporting, grant writing, and growth.
Develop and Manage New Programs
- Work with the Executive Director to identify, design, launch, and assess programs that respond to refugee community needs and advance Open Doors’ mission.
- Develop and administer an individual grants program providing financial assistance to refugees pursuing education, employment, entrepreneurship, professional advancement, or other self-defined goals.
- Create program guidelines, application materials, review processes, tracking systems, and follow-up practices for new and emerging initiatives.
Support Volunteer Leadership and Coordination
- Work with volunteer team leads to strengthen coordination, communication, role clarity, workflows, and follow-through across Open Doors programs and services.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and retention of volunteers in collaboration with existing volunteer leaders.
- Foster a volunteer culture grounded in compassion, respect, accountability, cultural humility, and participant dignity.
Support Events and Organizational Priorities
- Assist the Executive Director in planning and coordinating community-building, participant-facing, volunteer, fundraising, and outreach events.
- Help coordinate logistics, communications, volunteer roles, partner participation, and follow-up for events as needed.
- Address emerging programmatic needs, operational gaps, and local meeting or travel needs in a growing, volunteer-driven organization.
Serve as a Collaborative Organizational Leader
- Serve as a trusted thought partner to the Executive Director and contribute to organizational planning, problem-solving, and program strategy.
- Communicate clearly with the Executive Director, Leadership Council, volunteers, partners, and participants to support alignment and accountability.
- Represent Open Doors professionally in the community and stay informed about refugee needs, local resources, best practices, policy changes, and collaboration opportunities.
Qualifications
- Experience working with refugee, immigrant, or multicultural communities strongly preferred; lived experience as a refugee or immigrant is valued.
- Proven experience coordinating volunteers, managing programs, and balancing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
- Strong interpersonal, intercultural communication, facilitation, and trust-building skills across diverse communities.
- Familiarity with Dane County community resources preferred; ability to travel within Dane County by car, bus, or ride-share required.
- Oral and written fluency in English required; multilingual abilities are a strong asset.
- Commitment to Open Doors’ philosophy of respectful, collaborative, and community-centered support for refugees.
- Self-starter who takes initiative and thrives with little supervision.
Time Commitment
- This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position.
- Some evening and weekend work is required to support participants, volunteers, community events, and organizational priorities.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit the following to [email protected]:
- A resume or CV highlighting relevant experience
- A 2-page cover letter addressing the following:
- What draws you to this position
- What is your experience leading programs
- What is your experience working with volunteers
- Something else you would like us to know about you
This position will remain open until filled. Priority will be shown to applications received by Sept. 21.