Director of Education

Job Description

Location: San José, California

Reports To: Founder & Executive Director

Classification: Exempt, Full-Time, 100% Onsite

Compensation Range: $105,000 – $115,000 annually

Benefits

•    Medical, dental, and vision insurance

•    Employer-paid life insurance and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

•    Paid holidays and sick leave

•    401(k) retirement plan with employer match

About Amigos de Guadalupe

Inspired by the power of our vibrant and determined community, Amigos de Guadalupe Center for Justice and Empowerment (“Amigos”) works to bring about transformational change in East San José.

We ensure that the basic needs of our community are met, deliver high-quality programs, and mobilize and organize for justice. We do this through housing and rental assistance, mental health services, immigration legal services, education programs, and community organizing efforts that advocate for systems change.

Our work is grounded in community empowerment, radical hospitality, and a deep belief in the strengths and leadership of the families we serve.

Position Overview

The Director of Education is a strategic and mission-driven leader responsible for advancing Amigos’ educational vision and overseeing impactful youth- and family-centered educational programming. The Director brings a deep understanding of the strengths, challenges, and systemic inequities facing historically underserved communities — particularly first-generation Latino students and families in East San José — and uses that understanding to shape programs that meet families where they are.

Working in close collaboration with the Founder & Executive Director and senior leadership, the Director establishes, leads, and evaluates all of Amigos’ educational initiatives, including after-school programs, summer programs, shelter-based educational services, scholarship programs, enrichment activities, and any future initiatives identified by organizational leadership. Across all of these, the Director’s goal is the same: to empower students and families, improve educational outcomes, foster self-efficacy, and build pathways toward long-term academic and personal success.

Programs are built on culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and research-based practices that address systemic inequities and advance educational justice. Program areas may include academic literacy and vocabulary development, subject-matter tutoring and enrichment, social-emotional learning (SEL) support, college readiness and scholarship support, family engagement initiatives, and enrichment activities spanning sports, nutrition, and leadership — all aligned with California Common Core Standards and the evidence-based teaching practices used in local schools and community education settings.

This role requires regular in-person engagement with students, families, staff, volunteers, schools, and community partners, and is therefore 100% onsite in San Jose, California.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

The Director works closely with senior leadership to design and implement education programs that reflect Amigos’ mission, values, and community-centered approach, and to develop new initiatives that respond to real needs in the community and advance educational equity. The Director integrates Amigos’ two-generation (2-Gen) philosophy into programming and family engagement strategy, and uses data, assessments, and program outcomes to continuously evaluate effectiveness and drive improvement — ensuring every initiative reflects culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and research-based practice.

Program Operations & Oversight

Day to day, the Director oversees the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all education-related programs and operations, and is responsible for ensuring that students, families, staff, and volunteers experience safe, supportive, inclusive, and high-quality learning environments. This includes maintaining accurate program records, attendance systems, and data-reporting practices; ensuring compliance with organizational policy, grant requirements, mandated reporting obligations, and applicable youth-program safety standards; and managing the program materials, educational resources, equipment, and inventory that programs depend on.

 

Staff Leadership & Development

The Director builds, mentors, supervises, and develops a high-performing education team — including full-time and part-time staff, tutors, mentors, interns, and volunteers — and fosters a positive, collaborative, and accountable team culture rooted in growth, learning, and community impact. This means providing regular coaching, feedback, training, and professional-development opportunities for instructional staff and volunteers, and partnering with the COO to address staffing, employee relations, volunteer management, and performance matters as they arise.

Community Partnerships & Engagement

The Director develops and maintains strong partnerships with schools, districts, nonprofits, funders, volunteers, and other community stakeholders, and fosters meaningful engagement with parents and caregivers through culturally responsive relationship-building and communication. When appropriate, the Director represents Amigos in educational and community-based collaborative spaces.

Financial & Administrative Management

The Director develops, manages, and monitors program budgets and expenditures, including purchase order approvals, and supports grant-related reporting, documentation, and program evaluation activities as needed. The role also includes participating in organizational meetings, trainings, Amigos events, and leadership initiatives — some of which may occasionally occur after hours or on weekends — along with other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

•    Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in education, youth development, social services, or a related field

•    Demonstrated success leading educational, after-school, summer, or youth development programs

•    Experience supervising and developing diverse staff teams

•    Experience working in historically underserved, racially diverse, and low-income communities

•    Strong instructional leadership, program development, and organizational skills

•    Knowledge of youth development principles, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and educational best practices

•    Strong communication, relationship-building, and collaboration skills

•    Valid California Driver’s License

Preferred

•    California teaching credential

•    Spanish bilingual proficiency

•    CPR and First Aid certification

•    Experience collaborating with schools, government agencies, nonprofits, and community-based organizations

•    Experience with program evaluation, outcomes measurement, and grant-funded programs

Physical Requirements

To perform the essential functions of this role, with or without reasonable accommodation, candidates must be able to communicate effectively with children, youth, families, and staff; use hands and fingers to operate technology and handle materials; sit, stand, walk, bend, and reach throughout the workday; and occasionally lift or move up to 30 pounds.

Additional Information

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all required background clearances including fingerprinting and TB test . Amigos de Guadalupe Center for Justice and Empowerment is an at-will employer.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Amigos de Guadalupe Center for Justice and Empowerment is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and supported.

Applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

At Amigos, we value curiosity, humility, collaboration, and continuous learning. We encourage applicants with a growth mindset and passion for community impact to apply, even if they do not meet every listed qualification.