Life and Workforce Readiness Director

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Life & Workforce Readiness Director provides strategic leadership for all life skills, workforce development, and teen programming at Greater Holyoke YMCA, serving members ages 12-18. Reporting to Senior Program Director, this role is responsible for designing, delivering, and expanding a continuum of programming that moves young people through three intentional stages — Explore, Develop, and Apply — from early curiosity and foundational skill-building in areas of Academic Success, Health & Well-being, Character & Leadership and Life & Workforce Readiness with an end goal of career exploration, hands-on training, industry certifications, and real-world work experience.

OUR CULTURE:  

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing and we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger, beginning with you.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Recruit, hire, develop, train, and supervise staff as well as volunteers 
• Responsible for the design and implementation of diverse teen programming, including YUSA national programs, college and career exploration, mentoring, and certified workforce training and other evidence-based curricula
• Develop additional program offerings and expand the program portfolio in response to workforce trends, community needs, and emerging partner opportunities.
• Manage all data and teen program outcome tracking for grant and contract reporting requirements
• Work with each department to provide training, mentoring, workforce readiness support, and other resources to all junior staff ages 18 years and under 
• Develop, implement, and monitor the program budget to meet fiscal objectives.
• Establish and maintain relationships with service providers in various settings, including other CBOs, schools, and partnerships; serve as liaison for City of Holyoke Youth Task Force and other community wide committees 
• Create and support an environment that is diverse, culturally sensitive, and relevant to the needs of teens.
• Manage adolescent behavior with respect, maturity, compassion, and encouragement.
• Support Youth Services department with additional Early Education & Care and Out of School Time responsibilities on an as needed basis

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

• Communication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y’s cause. 
• Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence. 
• Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data, and sound judgment. 
• Functional Expertise: Executes superior technical skills for the role.
• Innovation: Creates and implements new and relevant approaches and activities that improve and expand the Y’s work and impact in the community. 
• Program/Project Management: Ensures program or project goals are met and intended impact occurs.
• Developing Self & Others: Develops self and supports others (e.g., staff, volunteers, members, program participants), both formally and informally, to achieve their highest potential.
• Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations. 

Requirements

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience working with teens/youth and planning activities.
• One (1) to two (2) years of experience supervising community-based youth programs and experience developing programs.
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience required. A degree in Education or Social Work is preferred.
• Experience working in urban communities and managing an out of school time program or other community-based youth program
• Strong leadership skills with experience in managing different levels of staff
• Ability to build effective working relationships with parents, administrators, staff and students
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and organization skills
• Strong technical skills, with ability to learn new programs quickly as needed
• Must be at least 21 years of age or older.
• CPR/First Aid Certification within 3 months 
• YMCA Leader Certification within 6 months
• Mental Health First Air Certification within 12 months

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• 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.
• Sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to perform essential functions and to supervise program activities in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor locations
• Required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer, phone, and smart device
• Required to sit and reach
• Lift and move up to 10 pounds
• Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust
• Ability to work in noisy environments

Applications will be accepted through December 18, 2026