Director of The Summer Program and School Year Rackets & Fitness

Director of The Summer Program and School Year Rackets & Fitness
Location: Boston, MA

Classification: Full-Time, Year-Round

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

ABOUT TENACITY
Tenacity is a dynamic nonprofit organization that empowers under-resourced Massachusetts youth to graduate from high school and achieve post-secondary success. Since our founding in 1999, Tenacity has been providing high-dosage youth enrichment programs that promote literacy, life skills, rackets/fitness skills, and social/emotional growth. We have served more than 45,000 students, ages 6-22, from Boston, Worcester, and Chelsea, MA. Tenacity’s objectives include:

Foster long-term, supportive relationships between students and Tenacity staff to encourage high school completion and post-secondary success

Provide literacy skills that promote critical thinking and understanding through a literacy curriculum designed around themes of social justice and student empowerment

Provide racket sports and fitness instruction that results in athletic skills, improved physical fitness, an understanding of health, enthusiasm for sport, and perseverance on and off the court

As part of our Pathway to Post-Secondary Success, 6th, 7th and 8th graders receive 300+ hours of youth enrichment programming per year, helping students from under-resourced neighborhoods grow academically and socially while improving their level of fitness.

For 25 years, Tenacity students have achieved a 95% high school graduation rate, higher than the 2021 average graduation rates in Boston (79%). 75% of Tenacity students are also succeeding in or have completed college or other structured post-secondary programs, which significantly exceeds the rate for Boston Public School graduates (38%).

Tenacity is recognized as a leader in in-school, after-school, and summer programs. All our well-rounded programs provide literacy/academic support along with racket sports/fitness instruction, offering youth personal attention and the opportunity to develop age-appropriate literacy skills, life skills, and physical fitness.

OUR SUMMER IMPACT
Each summer, Tenacity’s Summer Tennis, Reading, and Pickleball (STRP) program engages thousands of Boston youth across 25 sites, free of charge. The program blends fun, tennis, and pickleball instruction with reading support and life skills activities that keep students engaged and learning while school is out. STRP helps prevent summer learning loss, builds confidence, and promotes teamwork and healthy habits.

Our team of dedicated instructors, coaches, and mentors play a vital role in creating safe, inclusive, and joyful environments where students can discover their potential both on and off the court.

JOB SUMMARY
Tenacity is seeking a dynamic and mission-driven Director of The Summer Program and School Year Rackets & Fitness to lead and oversee the planning, coordination, and implementation of Tenacity’s summer programs across Boston and school year racket sports and fitness. This leadership position supports year-round programming and plays a key role in ensuring program excellence, staff development, and effective partnership management.

The Director of The Summer Program and School Year Rackets & Fitness will guide the program from the school-year model into the summer season, ensuring a seamless transition and maintaining alignment with Tenacity’s mission to advance youth development through literacy, life skills, family engagement, and racquet-based fitness.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Recruit, supervise and coach summer Site Leaders, Sector Leaders, and 85+ seasonal program staff (primarily youth), fostering continuous improvement and professional growth.

Manage partnerships with the City of Boston, Boston Parks and Recreation Department, City of Boston Youth Employment & Opportunity, and Boston After School & Beyond and other community organizations.

Coordinate the training for all summer program employees.

Support program quality through data collection, outcome tracking, and continuous improvement processes.

Collaborate closely with HR, Operations, and Finance teams on hiring, payroll, budgeting, and compliance.

Oversee logistics for equipment, supplies, and facilities to ensure high-quality, safe programming environments.

Serve as a primary point of contact for family engagement in the summer, addressing inquiries, and supporting communication across sites.

Lead the planning and coordination of the summer program and school year rackets and fitness.

Lead safety preparedness efforts and ensure all staff are trained in emergency protocols.

Represent Tenacity at events, partner meetings, and public engagements as needed.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrated success as a highly motivated and organized professional.

Strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.

Self-starter, proactive, and high energy.

Excellent verbal and written communication and relationship-building skills.

Experience in youth development, program management, or education-based nonprofits.

Demonstrated ability to manage large teams and multi-site programs.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and project management tools.

CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain) preferred.

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

Minimum 5–7 years of experience, or more, in program management or youth development.

Proven experience in partnership management and event or program coordination.

Knowledge of community-based programming and racket/fitness programs preferred.

Compensation: $80,000–$100,000+ OR commensurate with level of experience, and full benefits package