Summary
Description
Director of Programs
Café Momentum Denver, a nonprofit corporation
About Café Momentum
Café Momentum is more than a restaurant; it’s a nationally recognized nonprofit and a transformative experience for everyone who walks through the door. Founded in Dallas, Café Momentum operates a 12-month paid internship program for justice-involved youth ages 15–19, combining culinary training with intensive life skills development and comprehensive wraparound support.
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, Café Momentum is entering an exciting chapter of growth, including the launch of our newest location in Denver, Colorado. This marks an important step in our mission to expand nationally and create opportunities for more youth to rise. At the heart of everything we do is believing in the power of dignity, compassion, and excellence to transform lives and communities.
Position Summary
Director of Programs
Café Momentum Denver, a nonprofit corporation
About Café Momentum
Café Momentum is more than a restaurant; it’s a nationally recognized nonprofit and a transformative experience for everyone who walks through the door. Founded in Dallas, Café Momentum operates a 12-month paid internship program for justice-involved youth ages 15–19, combining culinary training with intensive life skills development and comprehensive wraparound support.
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, Café Momentum is entering an exciting chapter of growth, including the launch of our newest location in Denver, Colorado. This marks an important step in our mission to expand nationally and create opportunities for more youth to rise. At the heart of everything we do is believing in the power of dignity, compassion, and excellence to transform lives and communities.
Position Summary
The Director of Programs is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of intern support and development within the Café Momentum program. This role ensures each intern receives the individualized services they need to achieve stability, meet basic needs, and progress through the program’s Tiers of Success. The Director leads a team of program staff, manages external partnerships, and ensures access to educational, social, and mental health resources aligned with our trauma-informed care model.
Key Responsibilities
Program Oversight & Intern Support
- Supervise the individualized ecosystem of support for interns, ensuring access to housing, healthcare, legal, and other wraparound services.
- Oversee intern progress through Café Momentum’s Tiers of Success, ensuring consistent documentation and tracking in the data system.
- Monitor and evaluate program objectives, implementing improvements as needed to support intern outcomes.
- Work in close partnership with the Restaurant General Manager to align strategies for intern success and ensure seamless program delivery.
Team Leadership & Staff Supervision
- Directly supervise and support case managers, ensuring active and effective engagement with intern caseloads.
- Provide regular coaching, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities to program team members.
- Participate in weekly intern reviews and team check-ins, offering guidance and insight for intern development plans.
Education & Mental Health
- Oversee the educational pathways for interns, including enrollment in school, credit recovery, homeschool, or GED programs.
- Ensure interns with IEPs or special learning needs are supported and resourced appropriately.
- Manage the provision and coordination of mental health services in collaboration with internal staff and external partners.
Partnership Development
- Maintain and strengthen relationships with community partners who provide critical services, including housing, food assistance, legal aid, and externship opportunities.
- Lead the overall externship strategy and manage relationships with post-program placement partners.
- Represent the program in the community and at relevant stakeholder meetings.
Reporting & Compliance
- Provide regular updates and reports to the Chief Program Officer.
- Ensure accurate data collection, documentation, and reporting of intern progress and program outcomes.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree (preferred) or Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Education, Counseling, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or related field.
- Minimum 8-10 years of experience in program or case management, ideally with youth or justice-involved populations.
- 5+ years of team management experience required; nonprofit leadership experience preferred.
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) strongly preferred.
Skills & Attributes
- Deep understanding of issues impacting justice-involved youth and trauma-informed care.
- Ability to lead, coach, and inspire a diverse team.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Highly collaborative with the ability to work cross-functionally with operations, education, and restaurant teams.
- Self-starter with a proactive mindset and strong follow-through.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with Apricot or other case management systems preferred.
- Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and proof of auto insurance required.
- Must pass a background check.
Salary & Benefits
Salary is $80,000-$90,000
Benefits include:
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Generous paid time off and holidays.
- Opportunities for professional development.
- Meaningful work in a mission-driven, inclusive, and dynamic organization.
To Apply:
Please send your resume and cover letter to hello@cafemomentumden.org with the subject “Café Momentum Denver: Director of Programs”. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Phone inquiries are not accepted.
Following a review of resumes and/or applications, the most highly qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Eligible applicants will be notified of the exact time and place of assessments and interviews. Candidates will be interviewed to determine their relative knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas. Offers of employment may be contingent upon successful completion of a reference check and background check provided by Café Momentum Denver, though a criminal record does not preclude employment. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Café Momentum Denver will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. The listed duties are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not to be interpreted as an exhaustive list of responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
Program Oversight & Intern Support
- Supervise the individualized ecosystem of support for interns, ensuring access to housing, healthcare, legal, and other wraparound services.
- Oversee intern progress through Café Momentum’s Tiers of Success, ensuring consistent documentation and tracking in the data system.
- Monitor and evaluate program objectives, implementing improvements as needed to support intern outcomes.
- Work in close partnership with the Restaurant General Manager to align strategies for intern success and ensure seamless program delivery.
Team Leadership & Staff Supervision
- Directly supervise and support case managers, ensuring active and effective engagement with intern caseloads.
- Provide regular coaching, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities to program team members.
- Participate in weekly intern reviews and team check-ins, offering guidance and insight for intern development plans.
Education & Mental Health
- Oversee the educational pathways for interns, including enrollment in school, credit recovery, homeschool, or GED programs.
- Ensure interns with IEPs or special learning needs are supported and resourced appropriately.
- Manage the provision and coordination of mental health services in collaboration with internal staff and external partners.
Partnership Development
- Maintain and strengthen relationships with community partners who provide critical services, including housing, food assistance, legal aid, and externship opportunities.
- Lead the overall externship strategy and manage relationships with post-program placement partners.
- Represent the program in the community and at relevant stakeholder meetings.
Reporting & Compliance
- Provide regular updates and reports to the Chief Program Officer.
- Ensure accurate data collection, documentation, and reporting of intern progress and program outcomes.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree (preferred) or Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Education, Counseling, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or related field.
- Minimum 8-10 years of experience in program or case management, ideally with youth or justice-involved populations.
- 5+ years of team management experience required; nonprofit leadership experience preferred.
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) strongly preferred.
Skills & Attributes
- Deep understanding of issues impacting justice-involved youth and trauma-informed care.
- Ability to lead, coach, and inspire a diverse team.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Highly collaborative with the ability to work cross-functionally with operations, education, and restaurant teams.
- Self-starter with a proactive mindset and strong follow-through.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with Apricot or other case management systems preferred.
- Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and proof of auto insurance required.
- Must pass a background check.
Salary & Benefits
Salary is $80,000-$90,000
Benefits include:
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Generous paid time off and holidays.
- Opportunities for professional development.
- Meaningful work in a mission-driven, inclusive, and dynamic organization.
To Apply:
Please send your resume and cover letter to hello@cafemomentumden.org with the subject “Café Momentum Denver: Director of Programs”. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Phone inquiries are not accepted.
Following a review of resumes and/or applications, the most highly qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Eligible applicants will be notified of the exact time and place of assessments and interviews. Candidates will be interviewed to determine their relative knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas. Offers of employment may be contingent upon successful completion of a reference check and background check provided by Café Momentum Denver, though a criminal record does not preclude employment. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Café Momentum Denver will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. The listed duties are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not to be interpreted as an exhaustive list of responsibilities.
