Director of Career Development

This position will work with local program staff to ensure successful transitions of YouthBuild graduates into employment opportunities and long-term economic sustainability.  The director of career development will focus on training program staff to build bridges from the YouthBuild program environment to the market environment.  The role of this position is to improve YouthBuild practice along the full spectrum of demand-driven employment activity including career assessments of YouthBuild students, preparation for placement and success in careers, partnerships with the private sector, and long-term supports for graduates. 

 
Specific Responsibilities:

I. Create strategic plan and ensure its full implementation Work with experts in the field of career development, YouthBuild Directors and YouthBuild USA senior staff to create a full vision for the placement and success of low income youth in high demand industriesProvide guidance to YouthBuild USA and the YouthBuild Network on effective strategies for improving career related outcomes and the economic sustainability of graduatesCollaborate and coordinate with other YouthBuild USA departments and initiatives to create a seamless plan to strengthen graduate placement and success.

 
II. Develop and grow external partnershipsRepresent YouthBuild USA at conferences, meetings, and other gatheringsCultivate additional public- and private-sector funds to provide long-term support to the Career Development Initiative (CDI)Identify and negotiate regional and national partnerships with funders, employers, training organizations, and workforce intermediaries to support employment opportunities for YouthBuild graduateIII. Increase the capacity of the YouthBuild field to implement the full range of employment strategies Deliver career-related technical assistance and training to YouthBuild programs including DOL-contract activitiesDesign, organize, and facilitate conferences, meetings, workshops, and other gatherings within the YouthBuild NetworkDevelop publications, training workshops, web resources, and other materials to support career development activities at local YouthBuild programs and across the national YouthBuild Network. Research, create and disseminate to YouthBuild programs career related resources such as curricula, assessment tools, and case management toolsResearch, and track the trends in U.S. workforce development and employment training and share these widely with YouthBuild programs.Increase employment-related credentials and certifications available to YouthBuild studentsAdminister the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) sponsorship

 IV. Project managementDirect the YouthBuild Career Development Initiative (CDI) and manage all aspects of CDI including the C.S. Mott Foundation’s Opening Career Pathways grant program.Maintain funder relationships, submit project reports, and manage pass-through grants Serve on the YouthBuild USA Senior Program Team and other committees as needed

 Qualifications:Master’s degree in a related fieldAt least ten years experience in workforce development, education and training, youth development, alternative education, or economic developmentAt least five years of experience in program management, grant management, and project designExperience in building private sector partnerships, especially in employment-related regional sectoral partnershipsExperience with U.S. Department of Labor programsExcellent communications skills including public presentations, training, and writingWillingness to travelAbility to work productively in a fast-paced, team-oriented, customer-service-related, non-profit organization

YouthBuild USA is an equal opportunity employer.