Job Summary:
The Program Manager – Youth and Young Adult Workforce Development is responsible for coordinating, implementing, and managing workforce development programs for youth ages 14-18, with primary responsibility for the Ready 2 Earn (R2E) Summer Work Readiness Academy and year-round career readiness initiatives. This role serves as the operational leader for R2E program delivery, ensuring high-quality execution of curriculum, coaching services, data management, employer partnerships, and participant support. The coordinator manages daily program operations, supervises program staff, facilitates work readiness training, tracks participant progress, and ensures compliance with funder requirements and agency standards. This position bridges program operations with strategic career development, working collaboratively with internal teams, external partners, and community stakeholders to ignite pathways to success for youth in Central Ohio.
Responsibilities:
R2E Program Coordination & Operations
- Provide daily leadership, coordination, and oversight of the Ready 2 Earn Summer Work Readiness Academy, ensuring seamless delivery of the five-week intensive program serving youth across multiple cohorts.
- Manage program operations, including scheduling, attendance tracking, stipend eligibility documentation, behavior documentation, and logistics coordination for in-person and online activities.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for Godman Guild community partners related to R2E programming.
- Coordinate employer and guest speaker sessions, mock interview series, industry tours, hands-on community activations, and signature program components, including entrepreneurship projects, cohort commercial projects, and capstone presentations.
- Oversee compliance with licensing, safety protocols, inspections, and funder-required documentation and reporting for R2E and other youth workforce programs.
- Prepare weekly stipend eligibility reports and final stipend approvals in alignment with program benchmarks, attendance policies, and behavior expectations.
- Manage family and community communication, including responding to program inquiries via email and phone, preparing newsletters, managing program calendars, and sharing information about resources and events.
- Coordinate special events such as the R2E Kick-Off, family engagement events, and closing celebrations, including planning, scheduling, ordering supplies, coordinating staff and volunteers, and managing registration and evaluation.
Career Development Training & Coaching
- Utilize structured and approved curriculum to facilitate engaging and comprehensive work readiness training in the following areas: career planning and goal setting, resume development, professional communication (verbal, written, active listening), interview preparation, workplace behaviors and professionalism, customer service foundations, leadership development, financial literacy, digital literacy, and presentation skills.
- Collaborate with leadership and community partners to design supplementary curriculum that meets the evolving needs of youth participants and employer partners.
- Facilitate remediation workshops and individual coaching sessions to provide personalized support to participants outside of structured classroom time.
- Lead onboarding and orientation for new program cohorts, setting clear expectations and building participant engagement from day one.
- Provide ongoing individual career counseling, guiding participants toward their academic and career goals.
- Accompany participants to employer site visits, mock interviews, networking events, and other career exploration activities.
- Support participants in creating career portfolios, including resumes, cover letters, assessments, certifications, online career profiles, and professional references.
Data Management, Assessment, & Reporting
- Manage program data and data collection systems, including program rosters, participant files, daily attendance, case notes, incident reports, participant assessments, and certification tracking.
- Ensure timely and accurate data entry into agency data systems, maintaining real-time updates on participant engagement and progress.
- Administer pre- and post-program work readiness assessments and track outcomes against program goals and funder requirements.
- Generate and submit monthly Program Outcome Reports (PORs) and other required reports to Franklin County JFS, Godman Guild leadership, and funders.
- Provide data-informed feedback to internal partners regarding participant trends, barriers, successes, and recommendations for continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with the Enrollment team to ensure audit-readiness and alignment with grant requirements and agency data standards.
Employer Partnership & Community Engagement
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with employer partners, community organizations, and workforce development stakeholders to expand career exposure opportunities for youth.
- Work closely with the Director of Workforce Innovation and other internal teams to identify and secure employer site visit opportunities, guest speakers, and work-based learning providers.
- Act as a liaison between program participants and employer partners, facilitating connections and preparing youth for meaningful engagement.
- Represent Godman Guild youth workforce development programs in the community through outreach, presentations, and partnership meetings.
- Coordinate with external training providers to ensure delivery of industry-recognized certification opportunities.
Staff Supervision & Development
- Recruit, hire, train, schedule, and supervise R2E Career Advancement Coaches, administrative staff, and ancillary personnel, including work-study students, interns, and volunteers.
- Provide leadership, direction, feedback, coaching, and professional development to program staff, ensuring high-quality program delivery and alignment with agency values and funder expectations.
- Conduct regular staff meetings, performance evaluations, and support sessions to promote team cohesion, clarity of roles, and continuous improvement.
- Coordinate with HR and program leadership to ensure proper onboarding, training, and compliance for all program staff.
Participant Support & Case Management
- Act as a professional role model for youth, demonstrating empathy, professionalism, accountability, and readiness in all interactions.
- Be the go-to person for participant questions, concerns, and barriers, providing responsive and individualized support.
- Interface regularly with parents and families to address inquiries, provide program updates, and foster family engagement in participant success.
- Collaborate with program staff to identify and address participant barriers, including attendance challenges, academic needs, social-emotional concerns, and resource gaps.
- Provide referrals to internal Godman Guild programs and external community resources as appropriate to support holistic participant success.
- Manage results against performance goals and contribute to a culture of empowerment, success, and accountability within Godman Guild youth workforce programs.
Continuous Improvement & Strategic Alignment
- Participate in the development of a continuous improvement plan to monitor and adjust for program quality, growth, participant experience, and staff development.
- Support the alignment of R2E and youth workforce programs with Godman Guild Kindergarten-to-Career mission and multigenerational impact strategy.
- Engage in ongoing professional development and training to stay current with best practices in youth workforce development, career readiness, and trauma-informed practices.
- Participate in agency meetings, committees, and special projects as assigned.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent preferred; candidates with a mix of relevant training and substantial experience in youth development, education, social services, workforce development, or a related field will be fully considered, including those without a traditional credential.
- Candidates with significant experience leading youth programs or teams (for example, 3–5 years in program coordination, supervision, or case management roles) may be considered in place of formal education credentials.
- Experience with curriculum development, facilitation, and project-based learning preferred.
- Experience with administrative and project management tasks, including scheduling, compliance documentation, data management, and reporting.
- Experience supervising staff, volunteers, or interns preferred.
- Demonstrated skills relevant to developing impact-oriented youth programming, including creativity, flexibility, problem-solving, and an understanding of trauma-informed practices, social-emotional learning, and youth development principles.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to engage effectively with diverse populations including youth, families, employers, community partners, and funders.
- Current certification in First Aid, CPR, management of communicable diseases, and recognizing child abuse and neglect is required, or the ability to complete these trainings within 90 days of hire.
- Valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and reliable transportation required. Ability to transport youth and materials as needed.
- Intermediate to advanced computer skills and experience using office equipment and cloud-based tools, including Microsoft Office, CRM systems, and digital communication platforms.
- Ability to work independently and remotely, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work non-traditional hours, including early mornings, late afternoons, evenings, and weekends as required by program schedule (especially during summer intensive programming).
- Ability to speak languages in addition to English (e.g., Spanish) strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated patience and understanding with youth participants; ability to form positive and productive relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.
- Must be able to pass a criminal background check.
Core Values:
- Empathy: We meet people where they are, without judgment.
- Equity: We understand that different people will need different supports to succeed.
- Impact: Our programs empower participants to be the best versions of themselves.
- Readiness: Our organization pivots to meet community needs, and our participants are prepared for work.
- Accountability: We hold ourselves to the same high standards as our participants do.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a desk or computer for data entry, planning, and administrative tasks.
- Ability to stand, walk, and move for extended periods during program delivery, participant supervision, and facilitation of activities.
- Occasionally required to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds (e.g., supplies, equipment, program materials).
- Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling office and instructional equipment.
- Ability to view and read computer screens, printed documents, and other visual materials for extended periods.
- Visual and auditory acuity to monitor participant behavior, safety, and engagement in various program activities.
- Ability to facilitate activities and supervise youth in a variety of environments, including classrooms, community sites, employer locations, outdoor settings, and during field trips.
- Tolerance for working in varying conditions, including indoor and outdoor environments, varying noise levels, heat, humidity, and other environmental factors.
- Ability to move quickly in response to participant needs, behavioral situations, or emergencies.
- Sufficient physical stamina to manage high-energy youth programming during intensive multi-week summer sessions.
- Occasional bending, stooping, reaching, and kneeling as needed.
Pay: $50,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
