Program Manager, Speech and Debate; YPIE Yonkers

Program Manager, Speech and Debate (YPIE Yonkers)

YPIE creates pathways to college and career success. With a focus on mid‑sized cities, our proven approach is grounded in high expectations, personalized opportunities, and community partnerships.

We envision a future where all young people are equipped to thrive in communities that support their pathways to success. Youth in mid‑sized cities often face significant barriers to achieving economic mobility and may lack the sustained support systems needed to navigate college and career pathways. YPIE is working to change that. Across Yonkers, Jersey City, and Nashville, YPIE partners with public schools and local organizations to provide students with a comprehensive 9th‑grade‑to‑career continuum of support.

Through deep, high‑touch relationships, real‑world skill development, strong community and corporate partnerships, and a culture of high expectations paired with meaningful support, YPIE helps students prepare for college, persist through graduation, and launch into careers that lead to long‑term opportunity.

Our recent outcomes data demonstrates the positive impact that YPIE has on the communities we serve: increased college readiness, enrollment, degree attainment, and career access.

POSITION OVERVIEW

YPIE Program Managers support high school students on their path to college and career success through a combination of academic coaching and career‑focused instruction. This Program Manager, Speech & Debate will lead the YPIE Speech & Debate Major, supporting student success through high‑quality instruction, coaching, and preparation for speech and debate competitions. The Program Manager oversees a cohort of 9th‑12th grade students, providing classroom instruction and small group/individual coaching in public speaking, argumentation, research, and critical thinking.

RESPONSIBILITIES & RESULTS

• Develop curriculum and teach YPIE Speech & Debate daily after school at the YPIE College Zone.
• Coach students in speech writing, debate case development, research, and argumentation for participation in local speech and debate tournaments.
• Support students in selecting events, developing original speeches or debate cases, conducting research, structuring arguments, and refining delivery and rebuttal skills.
• Provide ongoing feedback on speeches, debate cases, performance rounds, and written materials.
• Research and select speech and debate events appropriate for YPIE students across grade and experience levels.
• Attend speech and debate events with students.
  
  Support competition preparation, logistics, and post‑competition reflection to strengthen student performance.

Student Support & Family Engagement

• Develop strong professional relationships with students.
• Provide tutoring in Biology, Chemistry, and/or Physics.
• Foster self‑advocacy so students identify and seek support.
• Collaborate with volunteers to assist in providing services to YPIE students.
• Maintain active, collaborative relationships with key family figures in students’ lives, coordinating to address students’ challenges and reinforce goals.

Program Administration & Recruitment

• Manage student records and leverage data systems to proactively identify student challenges and concerns.
• Manage relevant program logistics and communicate with key stakeholders about timelines and necessary tasks.
• Recruit for a new cohort of YPIE Scholars each year, proactively collaborating with district partners to identify target students and deliver info sessions and presentations.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• 2+ years of teaching/facilitating student learning (non‑traditional classroom experience welcome).
• Evidence of experience with Speech and Debate, such as coaching or teaching high school or college Speech and Debate students.
• Competitive participation at high school or college level.

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong writing and public speaking skills.
• Proven organizational and program tracking skills.
• An outcomes‑focused orientation.

Personal Attributes

• Ability to navigate partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
• Flexibility to work some evening and weekend hours based on program needs.
• A car and willingness to travel to program…