Program Director

Program Director, Life Skills

Part Time Position

In-Person (Columbus, OH)

Buddy Up for Life (BUFL) is a non-profit organization that exists to serve, enable and empower individuals with Down syndrome by providing industry leading Athletic and Life Skills programs designed to promote Health & Wellness, Friendship, and Independence. What began in Columbus as a mother’s mission to create inclusive opportunities for her son has grown into a nationwide movement transforming lives with 45+ program chapters across 14 states.

From tennis and pickleball to cooking and communication, our Athletes and Students are paired with Buddy volunteers, creating a supportive environment where confidence grows, barriers are broken, and societal norms are redefined.

BUFL is seeking a Program Director to lead the execution of and support the ongoing development of our Life Skills programs. BUFL’s Life Skills programs include Communication for Life, Cooking for Life, Finance for Life, Technology for Life, Safety for Life, Core Concepts, and Communities for Life. These programs are provided on an ongoing basis to students with Down syndrome ages 14 and above.

The Program Director will report directly to the BUFL Executive Director.

• Manage the ongoing execution of Life Skills programs and serve as a manager to 10 Life Skills instructors;
  Develop and maintain program calendar, coordinate instructor schedule, manage student and volunteer attendance, secure class space with partner facilities across the Columbus, OH Metropolitan area, etc.
• Attend select classes to observe curriculum execution for program development purposes; serve as substitute instructor as needed
• Collaborate with Curriculum Director to update and refine existing Life Skills curricula, evaluation tools, and training materials based on instructor feedback, participant response, best practices, and industry trends
• Lead training programs for Life Skills instructors at the start of program sessions three times a year (August, January, and June); solicit feedback / industry best practices and iterate training curricula accordingly.
• Partner with Executive Director and Community Relations Director to support special events with student participation to include Life Skills classes with potential and existing sponsors or corporate partners, Annual Benefit Gala and Open House
• Support cross-functional efforts to recruit and retain Volunteer Buddies

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education or related field
• Minimum 4-6 years of related experience in Special Education.
• Experience working with individuals with Down syndrome and their families
• Ability to communicate effectively, written and verbally, to differentiate stakeholder groups including individuals with Down syndrome, parents, instructors, volunteers, community partners, etc.
• Experience leading and managing multiple individuals and adaptive programs.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace or willingness to learn
• Must consent to and pass a criminal background check
• Located in / willingness to work in Columbus, OH area