Senior Director – Friendship Programs

Best Buddies International

Senior Director leading Friendship programs at Best Buddies, a nonprofit creating inclusion for people with IDD. Expanding chapters, managing volunteers and staff, and advancing mission delivery.

Posted 8/14/2026full-timeRemote • Chicago, Miramar, Portland • Florida, Illinois, Maine, Ohio • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in program development and management, particularly within the Best Buddies Friendship Program, while effectively leading teams and managing volunteer initiatives. Proficient in strategic planning, project management, and communication to drive program success and engagement.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Program DevelopmentVolunteer ManagementProject ManagementTeam LeadershipPublic Speaking

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Program EvaluationBudget ManagementRecruitment CampaignsData AnalysisHuman Resources Management

Soft Skills

Team BuildingDecision MakingProblem SolvingAdaptabilityInfluencing

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft OfficeDatabase Programs

Industry Keywords

Best BuddiesFriendship ProgramsVolunteer-Led ProgramsCapacity BuildingMission Delivery

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop resources, recruitment campaigns, and success benchmarks for Best Buddies Citizens, Colleges, High Schools, Middle Schools, and Elementary Schools programs
Lead program development and implementation, program evaluation, and volunteer tracking for the Friendship program pillar
Ensure program staff meet goals for program expansion and one-to-one matching
Provide strategic guidance and expertise supporting Best Buddies’ overall mission delivery
Implement strategic initiatives to expand Friendship program chapters across the country
Evaluate and refine program modules and practices and create new management processes for school-based Friendship programs
Collaborate with Senior Directors of other programmatic pillars on strategic volunteer management goals and programmatic best practices
Identify emerging trends in volunteer management and extracurricular clubs
Represent Best Buddies publicly through speaking opportunities, fundraising events, conferences, and other venues
Create recruitment campaigns to increase engagement around the friendship pillar
Supervise staff, including development, oversight, performance feedback, accountability, training, support, and recognition
Manage human resources activities and reinforce human resources policies
Identify capacity-building needs and develop communications and work plans with goals, timelines, and resource allocations
Oversee the friendship program team budget and spending, including recruitment campaigns, advisor stipends, and chapter expansion
Produce briefings, analyses, and materials for the State Operations team, other departments, and the Best Buddies Board of Directors
Travel as necessary to train and prepare staff to manage successful Friendship programs around the world

Requirements

What you’ll need

At least six years of management experience
Superior team building and leadership skills
Superior project management skills, including planning, analysis, decision making, and problem solving
Willingness to multitask
Initiative, drive for results, and self-assessment skills
Ability to lead individuals and teams in setting and achieving challenging goals
Dependability and ability to lead by example
Ability to adapt management style to fit the situation
Ability to hold staff accountable for expectations, goals, benchmarks, and best practices
Superior presentation skills and ability to influence and inspire others
Ability to articulate Best Buddies’ mission, goals, and activities with passion and enthusiasm
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and database programs
Demonstrated expertise managing the Best Buddies Friendship Program model and mission delivery
Experience developing and managing volunteer-led programs
Bachelor’s degree in a related field and an advanced degree or equivalent work experience
Able to travel up to 30% of the time

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive and generous benefits program
Financial security benefits
Health and wellness benefits
Time off
Affirmative action employer
Equal opportunity employer
M/F/V/PWD/PV employer