Program Director Job Posting

Full-Time | Maine-Based | Reports to Executive Director

Who We Are

We at Valo believe that every young person deserves moments of real connection, deep self-discovery, and the freedom to be fully seen. What began over a decade ago as a weekend retreat with eight curious teens has grown into a movement rooted in empathy, curiosity, and caring for our mental health.

We create intentional spaces where teens unplug, lean into heartfelt conversations with peers and trusted adult mentors, and build emotional resilience through time outside, play, creating, reflection, and shared experiences. Our mission is simple but powerful: cultivate a culture of connection that supports youth mental wellbeing and helps teens feel grounded in who they are and connected to the world around them.

This role keeps one eye on the horizon and one hand on the compass — grounded, relational, and ready to move. If you care deeply about community, believe in the power of presence over performance, and want to help strengthen a model that honors teens as whole people — you’ll feel right at home here.

What You’ll Do

We’re excited to welcome a new Program Director to our circle! In this role, you will steward the heart of Valo’s programming, ensuring every retreat, partnership, and youth experience is centered in growth, belonging, and real connection.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership role at the intersection of people, programming, and strategy. You’ll work closely with Valo’s leadership to ensure our retreats and partnerships are meaningful, well-supported, and aligned with our long-term vision, while mentoring and strengthening the program guides who bring our work to life.

You’ll live at the intersection of vision and care, dreaming boldly about what youth deserve, showing up with presence and integrity, and tending to the details that turn ideas into experiences that truly matter.

Shape Programs with Intention

• Oversee retreat programming across in-house and partner programs

• Ensure each experience reflects Valo’s values and commitment to youth wellbeing

• Embed thoughtful tools for feedback and data collection, and distill insights to strengthen impact

• Review youth participant and alumnae reflections to understand both immediate and long-term outcomes

• Bring youth into our fold through outreach efforts and thoughtful application review

Lead & Support Our People

• Foster a culture of thoughtful feedback, growth, and shared responsibility

• Mentor and support Valo Guides through time together, reflective conversations, and year-end review

• Identify and coordinate trainings that deepen conversation guiding skills, youth development understanding, and inclusive mentoring practices

Partner, Expand & Strategize

• Build relationships with schools, nonprofits, and youth-serving organizations

• Oversee outreach and steward partnerships from first conversation through retreat follow-up

• Be Part of Valo’s Leadership

• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Board in helping shape and guide strategic and sustainable growth

• Contribute to Valo’s communications and storytelling

• Initiate Valo presence at conferences and other community-facing events

• Co-guide select retreats to stay grounded in the participant experience

Who You Are

• You love children and believe deeply in their incredible capacity for growth, joy, and connection.

• You bring a big heart and a bit of shenanigans wherever you go, with the ability to laugh at yourself and roll with the unexpected while still getting things done.

• You have a strong sense of adventure, whether you’re designing a bold, innovative retreat, engaging thoughtfully with someone new, or approaching day-to-day work with curiosity and energy.

• You thrive in collaboration, bouncing ideas off others, lifting people up, and building community, and you also value focused, independent work when it’s time to dive deep.

• You have an entrepreneurial spirit and a playful approach, leading with intention while keeping things human and centered on youth.

• You’re comfortable working in the gray

• You care deeply, move thoughtfully, think creatively, and believe joy, humor, and heart are just as essential as strategy and skill.

What You’ll Get

As part of our circle, we’re excited to offer:

• Competitive salary (commensurate with experience)

• Paid time off

• Medical Benefits

• Retirement benefits (including retirement matching after one year)

• Professional development support

• Meaningful, mission-driven work

• Team gatherings, including our annual staff retreat

• The opportunity to shape a growing organization rooted in connection

Position Summary

The Program Director stewards the heart of Valo’s programming. This role ensures every retreat, partnership, and youth experience reflects our commitment to youth growth, belonging, and meaningful connection.

The Program Director mentors and supports Guides, builds community partner relationships, and collaborates with leadership to align programming with Valo’s mission and long-term vision.

This role requires high levels of empathy for the groups we're supporting, which directly impact our ability to create quality programming with heart and attention to detail.

Key Responsibilities

Program Stewardship

• Oversee the design and implementation of all retreats, including partner programs.

• Ensure each retreat is aligned with Valo’s values and delivers a consistent, meaningful experience.

• Embed simple, effective data collection for program improvement.

Youth Recruitment and Placement

• Lead targeted outreach to teens and youth-serving organizations to identify and recruit eligible youth. Design and host open houses to introduce the program and create a welcoming space.

• Design and host open houses to introduce the program and create a welcoming space.

• Place new teens in balanced groups based on application and reference materials.

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Guide Mentor

• Support Guides in working alongside youth, designing retreats, and partnering with families.

• Implement a Guide evaluation model that fosters growth, reflection, clarity, and accountability.

• Stay connected to the evolving social-emotional societal landscape, as well as what guides are eager to learn about, to identify and coordinate trainings which strengthen guides’ capacity to work effectively with youth.

Partnerships and Community Outreach

• Build and deepen relationships with schools, nonprofits, and community partners to expand access to Valo programming

• Represent Valo in public facing settings such as conferences

Organizational Leadership

• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Board on strategy and long-term planning.

• Contribute thoughtfully to Valo communications (newsletter, website, and storytelling).

• Co-guide select retreats to remain connected to the participant experience.

Qualifications

• Experience in youth development, ideally development programs that centers on growth, belonging, and empowerment.

• Experience mentoring others with warmth and directness.

• Experience creatively designing and thoughtfully supporting group programming.

• Clear, grounded, and attuned communication skills, both written and verbal

• Organized, reflective, and able to balance vision with day-to-day execution.

• A deep commitment to creating inclusive, open-hearted spaces for youth.

Position Details

Schedule: Full-time, 3 days a week from our Yarmouth office with option to work two days remotely.

Reports To: Executive Director

Collaborates With: Guides, Leadership Circle, and Board

Job Specifications & Application Details

This is a salaried, full-time position based in Maine. The role includes occasional weekend retreats and community events.

Start date: June 15, 2026

To apply, please send your resume and a thoughtful cover letter to: Dana Anderson, Executive Director, ed@valomaine.org

In one page or less, please include the following in your cover letter:

• Why this role resonates with you, and why now

• A story of an experience working with youth or leading a group that has helped shape you

• A haiku that tells of a recent moment you felt connection

Disclaimer

This job description reflects the general responsibilities of the role and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Responsibilities may evolve as the organization grows. All employment is at-will and in accordance with applicable laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Valo is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a circle that reflects diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives. We encourage applicants of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, religions, and backgrounds to apply.

We believe our work is strongest when our community is diverse, inclusive, and grounded in mutual respect.

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Program Director