Lightner Y Achiever Program Director

The YMCA of the Triangle is hiring a Lightner Y Achievers Program Director !

Under the supervision of the Chief Partnership and Impact Officer, with support from the Vice President of Practice and Belonging, the Lightner Y Achievers Program Director will lead, manage, and expand year-round youth development programs, including Lightner Y Achievers, Young Men Thriving, Girls Empowerment, and alumni engagement.

The ideal candidate will collect data about the teens and programs to communicate impact, support committees and Improvement and Quality work across the Association, collaborate with YMCA branches, schools, community organizations, corporate partners, adult mentors, volunteers, and teens to deliver innovative, impactful programming that empowers young people of color, strengthens leadership pathways, and bridges opportunity gaps. This role engages YMCA branch teen directors, local schools, community partners, and alumni to deliver culturally responsive, high-quality programming for teens and young adults.

They are responsible for managing these functions in accordance with the stated mission, goals, and policies established by the administrative staff, governing committees, and Board of Directors of the YMCA.

This full-time position requires year-round program leadership and occasional evening, weekend, and overnight work. The ideal candidate will bring passion, creativity, strategic thinking, and experience in youth development, diversity and inclusion, event planning, and program management.

• Bachelor's degree preferred in education, political science, psychology, sociology or related field and 2+ years progressive experience in youth/teen development, community engagement, or teen program management.
• Dynamic leader with a strong up-front presence, sound judgment, and the ability to inspire teens, adults, volunteers, staff, and partners.
• Experience working with diverse communities and the ability to engage professionally and appropriately with corporate partners, diverse adults, and teens.
• Experience planning and executing youth, community, alumni, or corporate partner events.
• Ability to effectively manage staff and programs.
• Exceptional oral, public speaking, and written communication skills.
• Possess a high level of organization, the ability to prioritize, and the capacity to respond and handle multiple tasks appropriately in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment.
• Requires a positive attitude, a high level of initiative and professionalism, and enjoys working in and creating a strong team environment.
• Demonstrate initiative, effectively prioritize, and possess strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
• Multilingual desired but not required.

• Expand and innovate year-round Lightner Y Achievers programming, including Saturday Summits, LYA Clubs, Young Men Thriving, Girls Empowerment, alumni engagement, the yearly college tour, and other related programming.
• Establish vision and strategy to grow programming, strengthen participant outcomes, and expand pathways for leadership, academic, career, and community engagement.
• Monitor program outcomes through data analysis and feedback, ensuring continuous improvement.
• Work with staff and volunteers to deliver a teen-run program of excellence.
• Recruit, train, and supervise program staff and volunteers.
• Provide leadership support for retreats, summits, tours, and youth development events.
• Oversee program budgets, reports, compliance, and operational requirements.
• Develop and maintain an annual program calendar.
• Participate in budget planning processes.

• Develop strategic partnerships and program pathways that bridge opportunity gaps for young people of color.
• Build and maintain relationships with colleges, universities, law enforcement professionals, attorneys, schools, community organizations, and corporate partners.
• Collaborate with YMCA branch teen directors, internal stakeholders, and community partners to…