Manager, Youth Development

Description

Prospect Park Alliance seeks a dynamic, collaborative, and youth-centered Manager of Youth Development to lead the implementation and advancement of the Alliance's youth development strategy. Reporting to the Vice President, Public Programs & Volunteer Services, this position will develop and implement a comprehensive Youth Development Framework that establishes a shared vision, guiding principles, and pathways for youth engagement across the organization.

Building on a youth employment program that has served Brooklyn teens for more than 30 years, the Manager will oversee and strengthen opportunities that currently support approximately 40 high school students annually through the Alliance's flagship youth employment programs, the Park Youth Representatives and Woodlands Youth Crew, as well as internships with students from the SUNY and CUNY systems. Park Youth Representatives serve in public-facing roles focused on visitor engagement, environmental education, stewardship, and Brooklyn history, while Woodlands Youth Crew members gain hands‑on experience in ecological restoration and park operations.

Together, these programs provide meaningful work experiences that build skills, confidence, and connections to community and public service.

Working collaboratively with program managers across the Lefferts Historic House, Nature Programs, Landscape Management, People + Culture, and external partners, the Manager will strengthen and expand opportunities for youth employment, internships, workforce development, leadership development, career exploration, and college access while advancing alignment across the Alliance's youth-serving programs.

The Alliance's Youth Development Initiative seeks to expand opportunities for young people while strengthening pathways to college, careers, civic engagement, and community leadership. The Manager will cultivate strategic partnerships; evaluate program outcomes; identify growth opportunities; and help create clear pathways that connect youth to higher education and careers in environmental stewardship, public service, education, cultural institutions, conservation, and community engagement.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker, skilled relationship builder, and effective program manager who is passionate about helping young people develop the skills, confidence, and experiences needed to thrive in college, careers, and civic life while contributing to the well‑being of their communities.

• Partner with the Vice President, Public Programs. Vice President, People + Culture, and the Director, Landscape Management, to implement and advance the Alliance's Youth Development Framework, creating a coordinated approach to youth engagement, workforce development, and career pathways.
• Collaborate with Youth Program managers to strengthen alignment, share best practices, and identify opportunities to enhance participant experiences and long‑term outcomes.
• Support strategic planning and continuous improvement efforts that position Prospect Park Alliance as a leader in youth development, environmental stewardship, and workforce development.

• Develop and coordinate recruitment strategies that expand access to youth employment, internships, apprenticeships, and workforce development opportunities.
• Build and maintain partnerships with schools, colleges, workforce development agencies, employers, community organizations, and government partners to strengthen recruitment pipelines and career‑connected learning opportunities.
• Represent the Alliance at community meetings, career fairs, conferences, and networking events, and cultivate relationships that advance the organization's youth development goals.

• Coordinate initiatives that prepare youth for educational and career success through leadership development, career readiness, mentorship, college access, environmental stewardship, and workforce development experiences.
• Partner with program staff to ensure that youth participants receive…