The Program Director of ESOL provides strategic and operational leadership for SCS’ English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programming within the Adult and Immigrant Services department. SCS annually provides ESOL instruction to more than 500 students and uses a holistic approach that connects immigrant community members with educational opportunities and other SCS services.
Reporting to the Director of Adult and Immigrant Services, the Program Director is responsible for the overall planning, implementation, performance, and continuous improvement of the ESOL program. The Director oversees student recruitment and retention, registration and testing, curriculum implementation, staff supervision, program data, contractual deliverables, and day-to-day program operations.
The Director supervises ESOL instructors and assigned program support staff and is expected to foster a respectful, collaborative, and accountable team environment. The position requires a hands-on leadership approach, strong supervisory judgment, clear communication, and the ability to remain actively engaged in program operations during registration, testing, classes, and other high-volume activities.
The Director also works collaboratively with other SCS programs to ensure students are connected, when appropriate, to public benefits, healthcare, immigration legal services, financial services, housing resources, and other community supports.
Responsibilities
Program Leadership and Implementation
- Provide overall leadership and direction for SCS’s ESOL program and ensure efficient day-to-day program operations.
- Develop and implement program plans to achieve contractual deliverables, enrollment and retention goals, attendance targets, testing requirements, and other program outcomes.
- Coordinate student recruitment, registration, orientation, intake, pre/post testing, class placement, and other core program activities.
- Monitor program performance and develop strategies to address enrollment, retention, attendance, or operational challenges.
- Ensure ESOL programming is implemented in accordance with funder requirements, SCS policies, established procedures, and applicable program standards.
- Coordinate field trips, workshops, special events, and other activities that support student learning and engagement.
- Remain available for evening and/or weekend classes, registration periods, outreach activities, or events as required.
- Collaborate across the Adult and Immigrant Services department and other SCS departments to strengthen referrals, service coordination, and student access to additional supports.
Staff Supervision and Development
- Supervise ESOL instructors and assigned program support staff, including regular individual supervision, team meetings, coaching, and performance feedback.
- Facilitate recruitment, onboarding, training, and professional development of ESOL staff.
- Conduct classroom observations and evaluate instructors on adherence to curricula as appropriate.
- Establish clear staff expectations, priorities, assignments, and performance goals aligned with program and contractual outcomes.
- Develop and maintain appropriate staffing, scheduling, and coverage plans for classes, registration, testing, events, and other high-volume program activities.
- Promote a respectful, collaborative, and accountable team environment through professional, clear, and consistent communication.
- Address staff concerns and workplace conflicts promptly and professionally, using sound judgment, active listening, and appropriate de-escalation when necessary.
- Identify staff training and professional development needs and coordinate appropriate support.
- Address performance concerns in a timely manner and work with the Director of Adult and Immigrant Services and Human Resources, as appropriate.
Student Services and Advisement
- Ensure students receive appropriate registration, intake, testing, placement, advisement, and follow-up throughout their participation in the program.
- Communicate effectively with students regarding program requirements, schedules, placement decisions, attendance, and other service needs.
- Ensure student contact information and records are maintained in accordance with SCS confidentiality policies and program requirements.
- Facilitate appropriate referrals to SCS programs and community partners, including employment and training, public benefits, physical and mental health, immigration legal services, financial services, housing, and other relevant resources.
- Support staff in addressing complex student concerns and service needs while maintaining professional boundaries and consistent program practices.
Data Management, Contract Compliance, and Reporting
- Monitor program data and key performance indicators to ensure contractual and programmatic goals are achieved.
- Ensure accurate and timely collection of attendance, participant demographics, assessments, testing results, enrollment information, and other required program data.
- Review program records and documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with funder and SCS requirements.
- Prepare and review program reports, work scopes, audit materials, and other documentation required by funders, partners, and SCS leadership.
- Analyze program data to identify trends, service gaps, and opportunities for improvement and develop corrective strategies when outcomes fall below target.
- Work closely with the Adult and Immigrant Services leadership team and relevant internal departments to ensure data is maintained accurately in funder-mandated and internal databases and tracking systems.
Budget, Partnerships, and Program Development
- Monitor program expenditures and budget performance in collaboration with the Director of Adult and Immigrant Services and Fiscal Department.
- Maintain productive relationships with funders, educational partners, community-based organizations, and other program stakeholders.
- Participate in meetings with funders, partners, and internal SCS stakeholders and assist with program development and funding-related activities as needed.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen curriculum, student engagement, program quality, and integration with other SCS services.
- Represent SCS professionally at community meetings, partner events, outreach activities, and other external engagements.
Additional Duties
- Support broader Adult and Immigrant Services initiatives and departmental priorities.
- Participate in relevant trainings, conferences, professional development opportunities, and advocacy efforts serving immigrant and low-income communities.
- Perform other related duties as needed to strengthen ESOL program effectiveness and advance SCS’s organizational mission.
Qualifications
- M.A. in TESOL, Education, Applied Linguistics, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of three years of relevant ESOL, adult education, or program management experience.
- Demonstrated supervisory or team leadership experience required.
- Strong knowledge of adult ESOL instruction, student assessment, curriculum implementation, and learner engagement.
- Demonstrated ability to manage staff, program operations, multiple priorities, and contractual deliverables.
- Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams with professionalism, sound judgment, emotional intelligence, and clear and respectful communication, including during high-pressure situations and workplace disagreements.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to use program data to evaluate performance and develop improvement strategies.
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
- Ability to motivate, coach, and develop staff while maintaining clear expectations and accountability.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and program databases or student tracking systems.
- Bilingual English/Spanish preferred; additional languages spoken within the Western Queens immigrant community are highly valued.
- Flexibility, patience, creativity, resourcefulness, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced community-based environment.
- Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, social justice, and culturally responsive service delivery.
Salary: $65,000 – $70,000
Reports To: Director of Adult and Immigrant Services
SCS Benefits Package
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
- Flexible spending account and transit checks
- Employee Assistance Program
- 20 days of paid vacation and 12 paid sick days
- Paid holidays
- Five personal/floating days
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability
How to Apply
If interested, please send your resume and cover letter to esierra@scsny.org.
All positions at Sunnyside Community Services are filled without regard to race/color, religion/creed, national origin, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy-related condition or lactation, military/veteran status, marital status, familial status, caregiver status, sexual or reproductive health decisions, height, weight, status as a victim of domestic violence/stalking/ sex offenses, predisposing genetic characteristic, immigration or citizenship status, prior arrest or conviction record, credit history, salary history, unemployment status, pre-employment marijuana testing, union affiliation/activity, or for reporting or opposing discrimination on these bases or for reporting or opposing violations of workplace health and safety, pay equity or practices, or for participating in any internal or any legally protected status listed in the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL). All are encouraged to apply.
Sunnyside Community Services strives to address, explore, and educate all our stakeholders about the diversity of human experience and to advance and integrate racial equity and social justice into all organizational policies and programs. We believe that everyone, regardless of who they are or what they do for the organization, should feel equally involved and supported.
Sunnyside Community Services represents a commitment to considering the whole person and how systemic barriers and access to opportunities can affect their well-being.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer