Program Director

Job Title: Program Director

Location: South Puget Sound (Pierce or King County)

About 1DROP

1DROP is dedicated to empowering developers of color through advocacy and comprehensive support (apprenticeship, mentorship, training, and support services), in order to address historical barriers to entry in real estate development. We collaborate with community and industry partners to drive policy change, increase minority representation, and build thriving, inclusive communities.

Job Summary

The Program Director will lead 1DROP's Real Estate Developer Support Program, ensuring seamless recruitment, training, support, and successful engagement of program participants. This role will play a key part in nurturing a network of developers who can contribute to and benefit from our co-development, mentorship, and training initiatives. The ideal candidate will be a proactive, mission-driven leader with a strong background in program design and management and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in real estate development.

This role will build and sustain a strong support network for developers, coordinating mentorship, networking opportunities, apprenticeships, training, and community-building activities. The ideal candidate will have a strategic and community-centered approach, with the ability to foster connections and provide impactful experiences for aspiring, emerging and established developers.

Key Responsibilities

Program Design, Development & Oversight

  • Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Program, ensuring alignment with 1DROP’s mission.

  • Develop and maintain clear processes for program stages, ensuring transparency and effective transitions for participants at each phase.

  • Oversee program curriculum and development for apprenticeship, training, and mentorship programs

  • Establish, monitor and evaluate success metrics and evaluation processes for developers’ progression and outcomes within the program.

Recruitment & Application Management

  • Develop and execute recruitment strategies to attract diverse talent aligned with 1DROP’s mission.

  • Oversee application review processes, ensuring fair, transparent, and thorough evaluation of potential developers.

  • Facilitate selection committees and decision-making processes to accept developers into the program.

Mentorship & Support

  • Cultivate and manage mentorship opportunities for program participants, pairing them with industry mentors and resources.

  • Coordinate ongoing support and training tailored to developers’ evolving needs, leveraging partnerships and internal expertise.

  • Act as a resource and advocate for developers, helping them navigate challenges and maximize their growth potential.

Performance Evaluation & Exitst

  • Implement assessment tools to monitor participants’ progress, providing feedback and guidance as needed.

  • Develop and lead structured processes for handling participants who may not meet program standards, including potential exits, to maintain a high-performing cohort.

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships

  • Collaborate with external partners to secure resources, training opportunities, and other supports for program participants.

  • Serve as a key liaison between 1DROP and community organizations, industry leaders, and funders, enhancing 1DROP’s impact and reach.

Qualifications

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in sociology, nonprofit management, real estate development, business administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred).

Experience

  • 5+ years in program management, ideally within a nonprofit or social impact organization; Bonus if focused on real estate, economic development, or workforce development.

  • Demonstrated experience in recruitment, mentorship, and training or apprenticeship programs.

Skills

  • Strong leadership, organizational, and 360 degree communication skills.

  • Excels working through ambiguity, navigating tradeoffs, and prioritizing at all levels.

  • Technologically proficient with Google Suite (Sheets, Docs, Slides); Can independently tackle new technology, stitch together interim solutions, and articulate technology integration needs.

  • Excels in modeling out scenarios, pre-mortems, visioning, defining risks, and determining mitigation strategies.

  • Ability to develop and implement programs with a DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) lens.

  • Knowledge of real estate development, affordable housing, and community-building processes is a plus.