Program Director, Carolina East Chapter

Job Title: Program Director, Coastal Carolina Chapter

Department: Chapter Impact

Location: Coastal Carolina, NC

Reports to: Executive Director, Greater Fayetteville Chapter (Dotted line reporting to Senior Director, Chapter Relations)

Classification: Exempt

Position type: Full-Time Employee

Anticipated Pay Range at Commencement of Employment: $69,000 - $88,000 per year

Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families is a growing non-profit (Military Service Organization (MSO)) with a history of delivering innovative solutions. We're the team that senior DoD leaders seek out when they want ground truth on issues facing our military families. Our team members are motivated individuals that help each other do remarkable things for military families to bridge the civilian-military divide every day.   We deliver first-class solutions that transform the military experience for military family members.  We operate in an agile arena where great minds come together to make life better for military members and their families.  We focus on data-driven insights while understanding the value of spirited storytelling.   And we do all this in a highly flexible, virtual environment with great benefits!  Our diverse and inclusive environment fosters a sense of belonging among our team resulting in innovative and creative decision-making. Are you ready to make a difference for the families of those who serve our great nation?  We are the ideal match for the innovator, the out-of-the-box, strategic thinker who understands the value of social impact.

General Description

Reporting to the Chapter Executive Director, with a dotted-line relationship to the Senior Director of Chapter Relations, the Program Director serves as a key member of the Blue Star Families Chapter Impact Team. This integral role is dedicated to fostering exceptional membership stewardship and customer service, ensuring that every interaction strengthens a sense of belonging among military families. The Program Director plays a central role in executing programs and supporting fundraising efforts. Given that the Executive Director is based out of the Greater Fayetteville Region, the Program Director will operate with a strong degree of autonomy in day-to-day chapter work, while the Executive Director will be present in person for key collaborative initiatives and strategic efforts.

The Program Director will manage multiple programs for the local Chapter, including, but not limited to, projects currently within Blue Star Families' portfolio. In addition to driving membership and volunteer growth and engagement, the Program Director will support the Executive Director on high-impact initiatives on local advocacy, fundraising, and essential operational tasks critical to the Chapter's success.

While this role is remote, periodic out-of-town, overnight travel is an essential function. In-person time is critical to how we work — enabling deep collaboration, team alignment, creative problem-solving, and a shared sense of purpose. Team members are expected to travel several times per year for offsites, planning sessions, and company-wide gatherings. These events are essential for contributing to team outcomes, building trust across the organization, and staying aligned in a distributed environment. Participation in these in-person gatherings is a required part of the role and integral to successful performance in our remote-first organization.

*The Program Director must reside in the local community the Chapter serves.

Key Job Functions

• Manage programs and events for Blue Star Families’ local chapter, while ensuring program design and execution align with current and prospective funding opportunities to maximize impact and sustainability.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, develop and support local fundraising efforts including identifying opportunities, developing proposals, leading peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, stewarding relationships, and contributing to achieving chapter revenue goals.
• Work with the Executive Director to maximize local collaborations by identifying key local private, public, and philanthropic organizations interested in supporting active duty and veteran military families.
• Support the Executive Director on local advocacy efforts, as well as other initiatives essential to the Chapter’s success.
• Build and steward relationships with local partners to support both program delivery and fundraising opportunities
• Educate key community leaders using Blue Star Families’ Annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey.
• Seek opportunities to connect military families with the resources and programs offered by community organizations and partners.
• In collaboration with the Volunteer department, develop a volunteer management program for the chapter.
• Execute marketing and communications strategies, including social media management, to elevate the Chapter’s presence and attract membership growth.
• Implement a strategic calendar that supports Blue Star Families' presence in community events.
• Utilize and manage project management technologies and tools to administer projects actively and effectively (including, but not limited to, HIVE, Hive Brite, Salesforce, Google Workspace Suite, Zoom, etc).
• Engage volunteers, fellows,  and interns to maximize the impact of chapter initiatives and programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

National Chapter Impact

• Support the Senior Director of Chapter Relations  on key initiatives to ensure clear and achievable project objectives.
• Ensure that membership engagement remains a top priority across all interactions at the Chapter, fostering a welcoming environment that strengthens the sense of belonging within the community.
• Responsible for tracking metrics and evaluation on all programs and activities of the Chapter
• Ensure that national policies are implemented effectively at the community level, specifically on programs and events.
• Foster an organizational culture that prioritizes strategic thinking, thoughtful planning, and collaboration both within the mission and across Blue Star Families, while reinforcing trust, commitment to the mission, and continuous professional and organizational growth.

Required Experience, Skills & Background

• Minimum 4-5 years of relevant experience
• Independent self-starter with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• Knowledge of the military family experience
• Ability to lift and carry supplies and equipment up to 30 lbs
• An entrepreneurial spirit eager to engage with potential partners to build community-based solutions
• Initiative to engage with leaders in the community and on the installation(s)
• Volunteer recruitment and  management experience
• Business development and fundraising experience
• Experienced in public speaking
• Excellent writing skills
• Ability to facilitate meetings and drive towards decision-making
• Project management experience
• Proficient with technology
• Travel requirements required outside of your home office will be up to 25% or less depending on our business needs.
• Regular evening and weekend work is an essential function of this position. Occasional holiday hours may also be required to support programs, events, and organizational priorities.

Desired Experience, Skills & Background

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Experience with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems; and familiarity with Salesforce a plus
• Familiarity with membership-driven organizations

More About Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families empowers military and Veteran families to thrive by connecting them with their civilian neighbors — both people and organizations — to create strong communities of mutual support. We believe we're all stronger when we take care of one another.

Our groundbreaking research is raising the nation's awareness of the unique challenges of military family life. With the help of neighbors across the country, Blue Star Families is overcoming the isolation and alienation of frequent moves, deployments, and reduced support from the government. Our innovative programs are solving specific challenges for military families, including fighting economic insecurity with resources that foster spouse career development, creating family strength with rich family programming, and providing critical peer support for caregivers, whose numbers are only increasing.

Blue Star Families is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. 

EEO Policy

Blue Star Families is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Why Blue Star Families?

Virtual/remote nonprofit organization that moves with you (position specific)
Career growth opportunities
Excellent benefits (403(b) with matching, Flexible Spending, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Communications Allowance, and more)
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Leave for Active Duty Military Spouses
On-the-job professional development training
Front-line opportunity to positively impact the military experience
Competitive salaries
Workplace flexibility