Associate Director of Programs

Partners for Rural Impact

Associate Director managing program execution, compliance, and performance for Partners for Rural Impact. Overseeing grant initiatives to ensure all rural students succeed in Kentucky.

Posted 6/25/2026full-timeHazard • Kentucky • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Reporting to the Director of Programs, the Associate Director (AD) is responsible for the successful execution, performance, and compliance of a portfolio of programs and grants from launch through close-out.
Oversee program quality, financial stewardship, risk management, and measurable outcomes to ensure all initiatives meet grant requirements and organizational expectations.
Maintain a strong working knowledge of each project’s design, staffing, budget, performance metrics, and operational risks, using data to monitor progress, identify gaps, and support continuous improvement.
Ensure Project Directors have the tools, support, and accountability structures needed to achieve results aligned with grant objectives, school accountability systems, curriculum standards, and state assessments.
Enforce compliance across human resources, financial management, contracts, procurement, data governance, and audit readiness while fostering a culture of ownership and results-based accountability.
Provide coaching, guidance, and oversight to Project Directors to strengthen program implementation, problem-solving, and results.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field, Master's degree preferred
Minimum of five (5) years of experience in program administration, federal or state grant management, nonprofit leadership, education or a related field with a bachelor’s degree
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in program administration, federal or state grant management, education, nonprofit leadership, or a related field with a master’s degree
Supervisory experience required if the role includes direct staff supervision
Experience analyzing and using data to develop strategies that improve student outcomes and academic performance
Experience facilitating meetings, cross-functional teams, and working groups to drive results and collaboration
Experience providing technical assistance, operational support, and problem-solving guidance
Experience with federal grant management, budget oversight, project management, and staff supervision
Experience managing the day-to-day operations of grant-funded programs
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Computer skills including data processing and financial spreadsheets.
Superior interpersonal and organizational skills.
Belief that all rural students can succeed.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
Flexible spending accounts, plus an employee assistance program.
Life and long-term disability insurance and retirement plan.
Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and annual holidays, in addition to paid parental leave.
Tuition assistance and professional development for employees.

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

program administrationfederal grant managementstate grant managementbudget oversightdata analysisproject managementfinancial stewardshiprisk managementperformance metricscompliance

Soft Skills

coachingguidanceproblem-solvingcommunicationinterpersonal skillsorganizational skillscollaborationaccountabilitycontinuous improvementfacilitation