DIRECTOR OF LIFE AND WORKFORCE READINESS

Description

JOB TITLE: DIRECTOR OF LIFE AND WORKFORCE READINESS 

DEPARTMENT: CLUB OPERATIONS- PROGRAM SERVICES 

REPORTS TO: COO 

FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT 

PRIMARY FUNCTION: 

The Director of Life and Workforce Readiness leads BGCMC's effort to ensure every young person leaves our Clubs ready for what comes next. This position builds and sustains a tiered, developmental continuum of programming that grows with young people from early career exploration through graduation support and workforce entry, whether that path leads to higher education, a technical credential, military service, or direct employment. 

This role is both strategic and relational. The Director designs systems, manages partnerships, and builds staff capacity at an organizational level while maintaining an active direct service presence. As with all director-level roles at BGCMC, staying close to the work is part of the job. The Director delivers programming across the L&WR continuum, models quality practice for site staff, and carries a direct caseload of graduation-track youth. 

This position reports to the COO and operates as a peer to Club Directors. Influence at the site level is exercised through training, coaching, and partnership with Club Directors, Program Directors, and Teen Managers rather than through direct supervisory authority over site staff. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES: (not all-inclusive) 

Program Continuum: Direct Delivery and Oversight 

• Elementary: Deliver and support age-appropriate career exploration programming that builds curiosity and awareness of the world of work through hands-on, community-connected experiences. 
• Middle School: Facilitate and support skill-building and career discovery programming that helps youth identify their strengths, explore career possibilities, and engage in experiences including job shadows and industry visits. 
• High School: Carry an active caseload of graduation-track youth, providing individualized postsecondary planning, accountability support, and connection to work-based learning and credential opportunities 
• Embed life skills: financial literacy, communication, professionalism, and responsible decision-making across all tiers in ways that feel relevant to young people's real lives. 

Work-Based Learning and Credentials 

• Build and manage a pipeline of paid work opportunities, internships, pre-apprenticeships, and employer-connected experiences for high school youth. 
• Develop and expand youth access to workforce credentials that signal readiness to employers and qualify youth for postsecondary opportunities. 
• Support youth in postsecondary planning including college and financial aid processes, vocational program enrollment, and career pathway development. 
• Maintain communication with employer partners to monitor youth progress, address barriers, and identify new opportunities. 

Partnerships and Community Presence 

• Build and sustain a network of employer, education, and community partners that support youth across the continuum. 
• Represent BGCMC in the local workforce development ecosystem and serve as the organization's primary liaison to workforce and postsecondary partners. 
• Lead partner onboarding, agreements, and quality oversight for program partnerships. 

Staff Development and Site Support 

• Train and coach program staff across all BGCMC sites on L&WR programming expectations, developmental progressions, and quality delivery. 
• Partner with Club Directors and Program Directors to integrate L&WR programming into site schedules, staffing plans, and program goals. 
• Serve as a thought partner and resource to Teen Managers on youth engagement, program quality, and individual member needs. 
• Support the planning and execution of signature organizational programs and events, including youth leadership and recognition initiatives, as assigned. 
• Directly supervise Graduation and Workforce/Career Specialists or equivalent direct reports. 

Data, Grants, and Outcomes 

• Track and report on youth outcomes aligned to BGCA's Life and Workforce Readiness framework and BGCMC's data expectations. 
• Lead outcome development and reporting for L&WR milestones in BGC Manatee's Children's Services Millage funding contract. 
• Support grant development, administration, and funder reporting for L&WR-related funding. 
• Use data and member feedback to drive continuous improvement across the program continuum. 
• Monitor program budgets and ensure responsible use of resources aligned to grant requirements. 

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Works collaboratively with COO, Club Leadership, Program Service Team, and Program Quality to facilitate overall program success. 
• Maintains efficient and effective record keeping procedures. 
• Communicates effectively with students, parents, volunteers, peers, employers, and the community at large. 
• Collaborates with program team to enhance the program environment. 
• Models professional and ethical standards. 
• Meets professional obligations, paperwork, and deadlines through efficient, organized work habits. 
• Incumbent is a mandated child abuse reporter. 

JOB SPECIFICATIONS: 

Required 

• Bachelor's degree in education, youth development, human services, or a related field, or equivalent direct experience working with youth (year-for-year substitution). 
• Minimum of three years of progressive experience in youth programming or workforce readiness, with responsibility for program design and delivery across multiple sites or age levels. 
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and effective relationships with young people, families, staff, and community partners from diverse backgrounds. 
• Strong organizational, communication, and facilitation skills; ability to manage multiple priorities across sites. 
• Valid Florida driver's license; ability to pass background check and drug screening. 
• CPR and First Aid certification required within 90 days of hire. 

Preferred 

• Experience in a Boys & Girls Club or comparable youth-serving organization. 
• Knowledge of workforce readiness frameworks, work-based learning practices, and postsecondary access strategies. 

RELATIONSHIPS: 

• Supervises: Graduation, Workforce and Career and equivalent roles 
• Internal: This position operates organizationally as a peer to other Operation Directors and works through established site leadership structures to support program delivery. Direct influence on site staff is exercised through training, coaching, and partnership rather than supervisory authority. 
• External: Maintains contact with external community groups, school officials and others as required. 

Requirements

 POSITION REQUIREMENTS: (not all-inclusive) Valid State Driver's License 

• Must pass pre-employment background check and drug test and motor vehicle requirements for driving organizational vans 
• Experience in working with children and teens and knowledge of youth development 
• Strong organization, time management skills, and ability to set priorities 
• Strong work ethic, positive attitude, high level of energy and flexibility 
• Effective communication, interpersonal skills, and attention to detail 
• Must be comfortable performing multi-faceted projects in conjunction with day-to-day activities 

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS: Level 2 Background Check Must be able to stand or sit for extended periods Must be able to climb stairs Must be able to lift a minimum of 25 lbs. Must be able to function in a fast paced and noisy environment  

 It is the policy of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County that applicants for employment undergo level 2 employment screening in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment. All applicants for employment or to volunteer who are selected for an interview will be provided with the Consent to Background Screening form for level 2 screening, and/or an Affidavit of Good Moral Character. The leading candidate for employment will be required to execute the Consent form and report to a designated location and submit fingerprints for level 2 screening. No applicant for a designated position will be employed until the level 2 screening results are received, reviewed, and approved by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County, Office of Human Resources. Level 2 background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and federal criminal records checks through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and may include local criminal records checks through local law enforcement agencies.