Program Director
Bay Area Urban Debate League (BAUDL) · San Francisco Bay Area
Tailor my CV for this job — freeBAUDL uses the excitement and intellectual rigor of competitive academic debate to build critical thinking, research, public speaking, civic advocacy, and leadership skills that empower students to succeed in college, career, and community life.POSITION OVERVIEWBAUDL seeks an energetic, organized, and collaborative Program Director with debate experience and a deep commitment to youth development. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Program Director leads the daily operations, strategic expansion, and evaluation of BAUDL’s debate programs across our network of partner schools.The Program Director oversees program staff, school partnerships, coach development, volunteer engagement, and large-scale event execution (tournaments, camps, and public debates). The ideal candidate is an agile project manager, an empowering supervisor, and a culturally responsive community-builder.People of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. BAUDL is an equal opportunity employer.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES1. Program Strategy & School PartnershipsOversee daily operations and execute an annual calendar of tournaments, workshops, camps, and special debates.Cultivate collaborative relationships with school administrators, principals, and district leadership across BAUDL's regional footprint.Manage school partnership agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs); track site performance, enrollment, and retention to ensure program quality and sustainability.Identify prospective school partnerships and evaluate expansion opportunities aligned with organizational capacity.2. Tournament & Event ManagementPlan and execute all BAUDL tournaments, debate institutes, and public events (held on select weekends).Manage end-to-end logistics: facility reservations and permits, student bus transportation, food service, tournament materials, tabulations, and tech setup.Oversee event-day operations, ensure student safety protocols, direct site staff and volunteers, and oversee post-event facility restoration.3. Staff & Coach LeadershipSupervise, mentor, and support program staff; set clear deliverables, conduct team meetings, and foster an inclusive, collaborative culture.Recruit, onboard, and retain high-quality debate coaches (teachers and community coaches).Design and lead coach professional development (pre-season and mid-year training, regular check-ins); manage coach contracts and stipends.4. Volunteer & Judge EngagementLead volunteer recruitment and community judge pipelines to guarantee full judging panels at every tournament.Coordinate volunteer communications, role assignments, onboarding, background checks, and youth safety compliance.Build and steward relationships with university debate teams, law firms, corporate partners, and alumni networks.5. Student Engagement & Pathway EnrichmentDrive outreach and recruitment initiatives across partner schools to broaden student participation among historically underrepresented youth.Provide curriculum, evidence development, speech coaching, and practice debate support to coaches and debaters.Connect students to career and mentorship opportunities, including BAUDL's Champions of Diversity law firm partnerships and legal site visits.6. Administration, Budgeting & EvaluationManage program operational budgets; monitor expenses for venues, transportation, supplies, hospitality, and coach stipends.Track key performance indicators (student participation, school retention, judge ratios) to assess program impact.Prepare regular program reports for the Executive Director and Board of Directors; supply qualitative and quantitative impact metrics for grant proposals and reporting.QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIESDebate & Enrichment Background: Demonstrated experience in competitive policy debate, speech and debate, or youth academic enrichment programs.Professional Experience: Bachelor’s degree in education, public policy, nonprofit management, or related field (or equivalent practical experience), plus 3–5+ years in youth program management, staff supervision, and school-based coordination.Project & Event Management: Proven track record of successfully coordinating large-scale events, managing multi-deadline logistics, and handling vendor/facility contracts.Relationship & Stakeholder Management: Demonstrated ability to establish authentic, culturally responsive partnerships with school partners, educators, students, families, and community stakeholders.Able to actively listen and process oral and written information;Able to communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing with students, staff, and academic partners;Mission & Equity Commitment: Deep, demonstrated commitment to educational equity and working effectively across diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds.Communication & Technology: Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Proficiency with digital tools for scheduling, project coordination, communication, and data tracking.Schedule & Mobility: Ability to work flexible hours, including required weekend tournament dates and occasional evening meetings. Valid driver's license and regular access to a reliable vehicle required for regional travel.WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDSThis position combines office-based administration (Oakland office) with frequent school visits and on-site tournament leadership across the Bay Area. Candidates must be able to lift and carry event materials up to 15–20 pounds, bend, stoop, and stand or move for extended periods during weekend tournament operations.APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONSTo apply, please submit the following materials via email:1. A personalized Cover Letter / Letter of Interest outlining your debate background and program leadership experience2. A current Resume3. Contact information for three (3) professional referencesSubmit applications to: mwhitaker@baudl.org with the subject line 'Application: Program Director – [Your Name]'.Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Inquiries are treated confidentially. Learn more at www.baudl.org.