Life and Workforce Readiness Manager

Life & Workforce Readiness Manager

Reporting directly to the Senior Program Director, the Life & Workforce Readiness Manager is a critical member of the BGCMD Programs and Outcomes team who works closely with Clubs to plan, implement, and strengthen high-quality K–12 Life and WorkforceReadiness programming, with shared responsibility for Character and Leadership development in partnership with the Academics and Leadership manager.

The Manager is responsible for program implementation and continuous improvement of BGCMD's Life & Workforce Readiness continuum, ensuring age-appropriate progression from foundational skills in elementary years to leadership, pathways in middle and high school. Core programs include TORCH Club, Keystone Club, Youth of the Year, and Work-Based Learners. The Manager also supports the integration of Social and Emotional Learning across programming.

This role supports Clubs in engaging and retaining youth across grade levels, meeting attendance, and completion goals, and ensuring programming is intentional, outcomes-driven, and aligned to BGCMD priorities and BGCA Life & Workforce Readiness, Character, and Leadership outcomes. The role collaborates closely with the Academics Manager on shared Character and Leadership goals and works in partnership with external Program Partners to strengthen program delivery and impact across sites.

Role & Responsibilities

• Program Design & Implementation plan, organize, and support Clubs in implementing Life & Workforce Readiness programming for youth in grades K–12, aligned to BGCMD program models and priorities.
• Ensure programming reflects a developmental progression, building foundational life skills (K–5), leadership and exploration (6–8), and Pathways (9–12).
• Support Clubs in developing clear, age-appropriate program plans throughout the school year and summer.
• Support Clubs in engaging families and communities in Life & Workforce Readiness programming, including communication, celebration of youth progress, and pathway awareness.
• Build trust and credibility with Club staff, Program Managers, and partners through clear communication, follow-through, and collaborative problem-solving.

Life & Workforce Readiness

• Support Clubs in delivering programming that builds life skills and employability skills, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, professionalism, goal setting, and responsibility.
• Ensure middle and high school youth have access to college and career readiness experiences, including postsecondary exploration, planning, and transition readiness.
• Strengthen work-based learning pathways, including paid opportunities, internships, and employer-connected experiences for older youth (6th-12th), and career exploration for younger youth (K-5th).
• Lead alumni engagement and scholarship initiatives that support postsecondary access and career pathways, maintain meaningful relationships with Club alumni while overseeing scholarship processes, communications, and ongoing recipient support.
• Ensure middle and high school youth have access to college and career readiness experiences, including planning and exploration of postsecondary pathways.
• Strengthening workforce readiness and employability pathways for older youth through work-based learning, paid opportunities, and employer-connected experiences

Character & Leadership (Shared Ownership with Academics)

• Partner with the Academics manager to support character development, leadership skills, youth voice, civic engagement, and service learning across K–12 programming.
• Support Clubs in creating meaningful leadership opportunities for youth, including peer leadership roles, service projects, and youth-led initiatives.
• Reinforce consistent expectations for belonging, responsibility, ethical decision-making, and positive youth development, in collaboration with Academics.
• Support Clubs in delivering leadership development and character education experiences appropriate for each grade band.
• Lead organization-wide implementation of TORCH club, Keystone, Peer leaders, and Work-based Learners, ensuring consistency and quality across clubs.
• Co-Lead organization-wide implementation of Youth of the Year, ensuring consistency and quality across Clubs
• Co-lead State/National Leadership Conferences.

Outcomes, Data & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure Life & Workforce Readiness programming is tied to BGCMD-defined outputs and outcomes for K–12 youth, including participation, attendance, retention, skill development, and postsecondary readiness indicators.
• Support implementation of BGCMD's program quality frameworks related to Life & Workforce Readiness, ensuring consistency, fidelity, and continuous improvement across Clubs.
• Align outcome tracking with BGCA Life & Workforce Readiness outcome areas, while prioritizing BGCMD data systems and reporting expectations
• Partner with Program and Outcomes and Operations teams to use data to strengthen program quality and inform continuous improvement.

Partnerships & Grants

• Maintain strong partnerships with BGCA, education partners, employers, and community organizations that support BGCMD's Life & Workforce Readiness priorities.
• Lead program partner onboarding for enrichment and workforce opportunities, including contracts and required documentation
• Support development, monitoring, and responsible use of programmatic budgets related to Life & Workforce Readiness initiatives.
• Work with the Resource Development team on content-specific grant applications, administration of grants and funder requirements, and reporting.
• Collaborates with the Human Resources team to ensure effective recruitment, onboarding, and payroll processes for Peer Leaders and Work-Based Learners.

Training, Coaching & Staff Support

• Support onboarding of new Club staff by orienting them to Life & Workforce Readiness program expectations, resources, tools, and timelines.
• Train and mentor Club staff on BGCMD's K–12 Life & Workforce Readiness expectations, curriculum, and tools, in coordination with Academics, where Character and Leadership are shared.
• Support Clubs in creating inclusive, developmentally appropriate environments that promote belonging, leadership, and future readiness.
• Serve as a resource and thought partner to Club leaders on K–12 engagement, retention, and program quality.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning in education, human or social services, or a related field; equivalent experience directly serving youth may be substituted on a year-by-year basis.

Minimum of 2 years of experience in K–12 youth programming, leadership development, or workforce readiness in a Boys & Girls Club or similar organization.

Preferred Qualifications, Knowledge, and Skills

• Outcomes-driven program design: Experience designing, implementing, and refining K–12 youth development or workforce readiness programs aligned to clearly defined goals, outcomes, and success indicators; Ability to translate organizational outcomes into practical, developmentally appropriate program plans and experiences across grade levels; Experience using data, feedback, and continuous improvement practices to strengthen program quality and youth outcomes
• Human-centered practice and youth development: Designing and supporting programs that improve access and opportunity for all youth and families across communities with diverse needs; Ability to apply community-informed and youth-centered practices to program design, facilitation, and staff support.
• K–12 youth and workforce readiness experience: At least two years of experience planning and implementing youth development, leadership, college and career readiness, or workforce readiness programming; Experience supporting leadership development, postsecondary access, or career exploration for middle and high school youth.
• Partnership and grant-aligned program support: Experience building, managing, or sustaining partnerships that support youth leadership, workforce readiness, and postsecondary success; Experience supporting or managing grants, contracts, or funded partnerships, including reporting, documentation, and outcome alignment.
• Program coordination and operational effectiveness: Demonstrated ability to organize, coordinate, and support program implementation, partner relationships, and budgets across multiple sites or initiatives; Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Staff training, coaching, and collaboration: Strong leadership skills with the ability to train, coach, and support staff delivering Life & Workforce Readiness programming; Ability to serve as a thought partner to Club leaders and staff around program quality, youth engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Communication and relationship-building: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to convey expectations clearly, facilitate training, and complete reports; Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with Club staff, youth, families, partners, funders, and community organizations.
• Data, documentation, and technology: Ability to use data to inform program improvement, complete accurate documentation, and utilize organizational data systems for reporting; Computer proficiency, including MS Word, MS Excel, Canva, and comfort using data tracking and reporting tools.
• Youth safety and wellbeing: Demonstrated ability to take responsibility for the safety, well-being, and positive development of