Director of Teen Leadership Initiatives

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Association Director of Teen Programs and Engagement, the Director of Teen Leadership Initiatives is responsible for the leadership, growth, direction, and implementation of YMCA teen civic engagement and leadership programs. This includes the Youth and Government (YAG) Conference, Middle School Civic Engagement, Leaders Club rallies, and Y-Corps. The Director develops strategies and frameworks to strengthen civic engagement, leadership development, and educational enrichment opportunities for teens across all branches. This role ensures all programs are managed in alignment with the YMCA’s mission, goals, policies, and values, while fostering meaningful experiences that empower young people to lead and serve in their communities.

• Prefer a bachelor's degree in a related field and 3-5 years of experience leading middle and high school students and/or teaching political science, civics or government courses.
• Proven leadership and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to encourage teams and staff; able to actively coach, mentor and lead through complex initiatives, change and challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task, work under pressure and meet deadlines with quality and excellence.
• Strong financial management skills, with the ability to develop, implement and manage complex budgets, evaluate financial performance, and take proactive and decisive action when needed.
• Outstanding communication skills – including writing, presentation delivery, facilitating meetings and public speaking, both in-person and through virtual platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to work with community partners, third-party organizations, and high-level volunteers to move work forward.
• Proficient with Microsoft 365 Office applications (e.g. Word, Teams, SharePoint, PowerPoint, OneDrive, PowerBi, Excel and Outlook).
• Ability to quickly understand and use data to drive business decisions and planning.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong collaboration and influential leadership skills.
• Strong understanding of business imperatives, strategic priorities, funding opportunities and proven success in strategy development, implementation and tactical execution.
• Demonstrated and successful experience assessing situations, defining problems, collecting data, and drawing valid conclusions.
• Proven ability and capacity to address and resolve employee conflicts and work toward/find equitable solutions.
• An outstanding commitment to the YMCA Mission and Purpose – with the proven ability to model and teach unifying behavior to support Y culture and develop high-performing and collaborative teams. 
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and professionalism.
• Ability to manage and accomplish multiple projects and work assignments with little supervision. 

• Leads, directs and delivers the Association teen programming, including North Carolina YMCA Youth & Government Program and the annual Youth Legislature Conference, Leaders Club Rallies and quarterly events, Achievers event, CILT Capstone, Conference on National Affairs, National Judicial Competition, Officers Retreat, etc.
• In partnership with the Association Director Teen Programs and Engagement, works directly and collaboratively with YMCA of the Triangle Branch Executives, Associates of Youth Development and Teen Directors to cultivate relationships with local high schools, supporting existing YMCA teen programs, employment opportunities, and new initiatives to serve teens.  
• Leads, develops, and manages all budgets and fiscal aspects related to the management of Teen Programs, including managing contracts, expenses, and vendor relationships with the Sheraton, Marriott, and Raleigh Convention Center.
• Leads the design, development, implementation and facilitation of an Association-wide/statewide middle school (civic) engagement program focused on grades six through eight.  
• Designs and implements, through partnerships and collaboration, an accessibility support system to ensure ease of entry, expanded access, and sustained participation in the YMCA of the Triangle Teen Programs.
• Develops and leads a teen civic engagement framework focused on expanding civic engagement programming for teens across the YMCA of the Triangle by creating innovative initiatives focused on civic education, democratic participation, youth empowerment, equity and the power of youth (teen) voice.  
• Leads relationship building and partnership with local and statewide school systems to support recruiting students and advisors, focusing on growth in the NC YMCA Youth & Government and Leaders Club programs in schools throughout the State and branches across the Triangle.
• Recruits, onboards and leads a part-time Program Director or Intern for Youth and Government.  
  Identifies and recruits adult volunteers association-wide for teen programs – made up of alumni, community leaders, Y CEOs and other key statewide Y leadership as appropriate.
• Leads relationship development with the NC State Alliance of YMCAs, YMCAs across the state and their CEOs to support participation in and growth of the NC YMCA Youth & Government program.
• Recruits and leads a Teen Racial Equity Council for the state of North Carolina.
• Supports the YMCA of the Triangle’s Annual Campaign by leading a NC Youth & Government campaign for alumni and current students.
• Actively participates (as appropriate) in advocacy efforts spearheaded by the NC Alliance of YMCAs and the YMCA of the Triangle.
• Serves as the YMCA of the Triangle’s lead for civic engagement grant funding.
• Models relationship-building skills in all interactions. Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with community organizations. Maintains regular, clear, and concise communication within area of responsibility.
• Represent the mission and values of the YMCA of the Triangle externally and encourage the community-wide discussion of issues that relate to the core programming.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor or the CEO.