Workforce Readiness Director

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 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.

• 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

• 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…