Debate Spaces: Debate Program Director (USA)

Debate Program Director, Debate Spaces, New York, NY, USA (hybrid). Deadline: 5 July 2024.

Based in New York City, the Program Director will serve two complementary roles: establishing debate teams at local partner schools while expanding and improving virtual programs for the international debate community. Success will require a Program Director who brings a passion for the organization’s mission and an ability to grow and improve debate education in both in-person and remote environments. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Program Director will play a key role in designing, strategizing, and implementing unique and impactful debate opportunities that further Debate Spaces’ mission.

Debate Spaces is partnering with local secondary schools to integrate debate education. Starting in the 2024-25 academic year, this means creating and coaching debate teams at two middle schools: designing and implementing curricula for public forum and parliamentary debate, facilitating practices, collaborating with school staff and parents, and coordinating competitions at local and virtual tournaments. In subsequent years, the partnership will grow to include high school programs, as well as extend debate education into the classroom.

The Program Director would also lead the development of new debate education initiatives that maximize the potential of virtual programs to promote cross-cultural exchanges. The Program Director will build bridges in the debate community through a network of collaborative practices and tournaments. Combined with the increased scale of our weekend Academy programs, these initiatives will extend world-class, cross-cultural debate education to more students in more places than ever before.

This is a hybrid position that requires both in-person and virtual day-to-day work. The start date for this position is mid-August and will continue year-round. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis with interviews likely to begin as soon as possible.

Debate Spaces is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers young people to advocate for themselves and their communities by cultivating critical thinking, empathy, and confidence through cross-cultural debate education. Founded in 2016 to create a space for middle school students to connect across social and economic divides in South Africa, Debate Spaces went global in 2020.