Assistant Director, Options Institute

Intro/Program Description: Goddard Riverside (GR) is a well-established Manhattan community-based agency and one of New York City’s leading human service organizations. GR serves the basic needs of children, youth and families, homeless people, and older adults across Manhattan. A program of Goddard Riverside, the Options Center supports New Yorkers to enroll in and complete college by counseling teens and adults, training school and community professionals, and convening the larger community on critical issues around equity in post-secondary education. Options has supported young people to enroll in college since 1985, trained professionals to support others since 2005, and college students to persist in college since 2012. Options currently serves over 2,000 people a year.

Position Summary: Reporting to the Director of the Options Institute, the Assistant Director will play a key role in the growth and sustainability of the Options Institute by leading business development efforts, identifying new training opportunities, and cultivating partnerships. The Assistant Director will also oversee the administration of training systems, manage consultants, and ensure the quality and effectiveness of training initiatives. This position requires both strategic thinking and operational oversight to expand the Institute’s impact while maintaining high-quality training

Training Program Development & Delivery:

• Assist in identifying new training opportunities and developing strategic plans for growth
• Occasionally deliver training sessions and workshops 
• Manage the coordination of materials and logistics for training activities 

Supervision & Staff Development:

• Hire, supervise, and provide professional development to trainers
• Coach trainers in facilitation techniques, curriculum design, and participant engagement 
• Manage consultants involved in training initiatives 

Administration & Operations:

• Oversee the Learning Management System (LMS) and Member 365 database 
• Manage training registration, communication with participants, and tracking of attendance and payments 
• Support the evaluation of training programs using pre/post assessments, surveys, and other feedback mechanisms 
• Maintain and update training materials, brochures, and marketing campaigns

Budget & Fiscal Management:

• Support the Director of the Options Institute in managing the Options Institute budget
• Track training-related expenses and ensure payments for vendors and contractors
• Assist in grant writing and reporting related to training initiatives 

Outreach & Partnerships:

• Initiate and develop relationships with school and community-based organization partners
• Collaborate with the Development and Communications Department to enhance the visibility of training programs 
• Represent the Options Institute at meetings, conferences, events, and professional convenings

Business Development & Growth:

• Identify new partnership and business development opportunities to expand the reach of the Options Institute
• Conduct outreach and follow up with potential clients and partners to secure new training engagements
• Work closely with leadership to develop strategies for increasing revenue and sustaining training programs
• Track and analyze potential market trends to inform future training initiatives 

Qualifications & Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred  

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of training experience, including program development, implementation, evaluation, and facilitation in a social services or education setting 
• At least 3 years of management experience, with a demonstrated ability to supervise and support staff 
• Experience in college access and success programs
• Experience in business development, sales, or partnership cultivation preferred

Skills & Knowledge:

• Excellent facilitation, oral, and written communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with strong attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Learning Management Systems (LMS), and database management tools 
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to develop relationships with stakeholders
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment
• Familiarity with counseling and college access processes is a plus

 Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Work Environment: Office, training workshops, conferences, and occasional travel as needed
• Physical Requirements: Heavy computer use; ability to lift 40 lbs.
• Schedule: Occasional evening and weekend hours required.