Program Director, Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality

 

The American College of Financial Services (The College), a regionally accredited and nonprofit higher education institution located in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, supports the financial services industry through professional education, graduate studies, relevant research, and customized learning solutions.  Established in 2020, The College’s Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality (The Center) is the flagship center for research, thought leadership, curriculum and course development, programming, and scholarships aimed at closing the wealth gap and cultivating lasting relationships between financial services and all underserved and underrepresented groups.  The Center is committed to promoting economic justice with collective, community-focused solutions that last.  

We are seeking a dynamic, innovative business leader to develop and help coordinate and promote the  Black Executive Leadership Program, run daily operations of the Center and oversee Projects for the Center Executive Director. The successful incumbent will enhance and expand upon the program and program goals; identify relevant content; help develop syllabus and curriculum; hire and train presenters and thought leaders; and outline a public relations and participant recruitment strategy.  

This position will have a key responsibility of creating, managing and marketing the Black Executive Leadership program and requires continuing expansion of development initiatives and arranging assigned courses, and ensuring delivery of the highest quality professional and advanced behavioral skills training and services to the program’s participants. S/he must be self-directed and demonstrate the ability to execute against committed deliverables.  Black Executive Leadership participation is primarily the result of the quality of the content, referrals, public relations efforts, word of mouth, and value of the curriculum offered to participants desiring to move from Middle Management to Senior Management positions as part of the Four Steps Forward initiative.  

This is a full-time, mid-level professional position reporting to the Center’s inaugural Executive Director and secondarily to the Chief Strategy and Operations Officer.  The position will provide direction to a small team of contractors and staff on specific projects and activities and will be expected to develop a high-performing team. Requires regular travel to industry and college events, in-person oversight of meetings, and occasional course instruction via webinars.  

Essential Functions:

Develop a participant/mentor pipeline to place more Black professionals in senior leadership roles within the financial services profession. Create programming that hones the leadership skills of rising Black Executives yielding measurable results. Develop and deliver high caliber curriculum to introduce and increase leadership skills within the financial services industry. Plan and drive path-breaking research led by The American College of Financial Services’ faculty, researchers, and thought leaders and supported by industry partners in academics, financial services, and at all levels of government. Implement data-driven methods based on academic (research) and applied knowledge Create initiatives and develop/refine products and services in collaboration with partners in financial services, community and private foundations, and corporate America to support and lift underserved groups serviced by the Center. Sponsor and direct thought-leadership events, conferences, and gatherings around financial services and financial literacy with a focus on Black Americans. Foster engagement with partners such as foundations, corporations, HBCU’s and non-profit organizations to help further the mission of the Center. Select and engage a Program Team to meet measurable key objectives Maintain ongoing communication with senior management, including scheduling mentoring sessions, offering curriculum counseling, tracking individual participant progress Source program materials, facilitators and technology-driven delivery methods Compile information for regular program updates to funding sources and internal/external communications while meeting project milestones Other tasks related to The Center as assigned by the Executive Director   Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree (Masters preferred) in a relevant subject matter area and seven to 10 years of proven experience in leading academic or non-profit programs. Experience in leadership training for communities of color is preferred. Demonstrated project management experience is essential.  Curriculum development experience is helpful. Background in or understanding of financial services. Sound strategy development, analytical, problem solving, organizational and planning skills Ability to work individually and as part of a team. Strong communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills to work effectively with participants, mentors, subject matter experts, facilitators and student participants. Ability to describe program needs, impact and growth strategy to internal stakeholders and to potential funders and supporters. Working knowledge of educational programs, policies and curriculum Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communications skills with the ability to communicate with and present to varied audiences, including corporate executives, professionals and adult learners  

The American College of Financial Services is committed to applying financial education through teaching, research, and innovation in program delivery and design. As a nonprofit, accredited education institution, our courses are researched and written by a faculty of the nation's top thought leaders in personal finance. To learn more, visit The American College. In policy and practice, we encourage diversity and provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications and ability to perform a job. We are committed to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive environment.
 

The American College implemented a COVID-19 vaccine mandate which requires all Faculty and Professional Staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.