Director, Youth Programs

Visions of Science; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 95,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative nonprofit organization seeks a Director of Youth Programs to lead their STEM initiatives, overseeing a budget of $1 million. This leadership role requires a strategic vision for program development and a commitment to equity in youth empowerment, with full support for employees' professional growth and well-being.

Benefits

Flexible work options: remote, hybrid, and in-office

Extended health & dental coverage

Generous vacation package: 2–4 weeks paid vacation + 2-week paid winter closure

10 paid sick days

Employer-matched RRSP/TFSA/FHSA contributions

Professional development support

Flexible Fridays year-round

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Tech package for success

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in youth development or nonprofit management.
• Experience managing multi-level teams and complex programs is essential.
• Strong track record in strategy and innovation is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the visioning and development of STEM Journey programs.
• Direct and support a team of program managers and coordinators.
• Oversee operational execution, including scheduling and quality control.

Skills

Visionary leadership

Project management

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Post-secondary education in education, STEM, community development, or nonprofit leadership

Tools

Google Suite

Asana

Salesforce

Job description

Director, Youth Programs

Introduction

Visions of Science is committed to advancing STEM equity by intentionally supporting youth and communities who experience significant barriers to participation. We facilitate community-based youth engagement programs, provide support for families and educators, and advocate for equitable STEM education, and opportunity throughout the system. We believe that when youth understand the possibilities within STEM, they are empowered with the relevant skills and knowledge to be leaders in their community, agents of change for society, and good stewards of the planet. To learn more about Visions of Science please visit: www.vosnl.org.

Authentic Representation

Visions of Science prioritizes facilitating power, platform, and agency to individuals who represent the ethnicities, cultures, and lived experiences of the children and youth in the communities that we partner with in all areas of the organization and our work. We strongly encourage individuals from equity-deserving groups who are historically underrepresented in STEM to apply. To learn more about the perks of working at Visions of Science team, click here.

The Opportunity

Position Overview

We are seeking an exceptional and strategic Director of Youth Programs to lead our STEM Journey portfolio, which includes core programs serving youth from middle school through early post-secondary. This role oversees multiple programs such as STEM Leaders and Shaw Visionary Scholars and is responsible for driving innovation, alignment, and excellence across a high-impact continuum of programming.

We are looking for a visionary leader who will not only steward our current work but also bring a clear plan for standardizing program offerings, strengthening internal systems, and advancing long-term impact. The ideal candidate will bring a strong lens for enhancing what works, identifying opportunities for growth, and ensuring a coherent, high quality, and streamlined experience for youth, families, and partners.

You will lead a growing team of full-time and part-time staff, oversee a budget of up to $1 million, and guide program strategy, execution, and evolution. This is a cross-functional leadership role that requires strategic vision, operational acumen, and a deep commitment to equity and youth empowerment.

Position Details:

• Contract Type/Term: Full-time, Indefinite
• Start Date: September 2025 (Flexible)
• Hours of Work/Schedule: 35 hours/week
• Available Positions: 1
• Job Location(s): Toronto, 71 Regent Park Boulevard + Hybrid/Remote Work
• Salary Range: $95,000 annually
• Reports to: CEO
• Deadline: July 6, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET. Posting will remain open until the position is filled.

What We Offer: Supporting You to Thrive

At Visions of Science, we believe that when our team members are supported, they can do transformative work alongside communities. Our full-time team members receive:

• Flexible work options: remote, hybrid, and in-office
• Extended health & dental coverage
• Generous vacation package: 2–4 weeks paid vacation + 2-week paid winter closure
• 10 paid sick days
• Employer-matched RRSP/TFSA/FHSA contributions
• Support for professional development
• Flexible Fridays year-round
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tech package to set you up for success

Learn more about what it’s like to work with us here.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic and Organizational Leadership

• Lead the visioning, development, and enhancement of STEM Journey programs with a focus on strategic alignment, long-term outcomes, and youth-centered innovation.
• Set operational and programmatic goals, ensuring coherence and high-quality delivery across multiple sites and program streams.
• Champion equity-centered approaches, ensuring all programs are accessible, culturally responsive, and grounded in community voice.

Team and Program Management

• Direct and support a multi-level team of program managers, coordinators, and facilitators across several program streams.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and development opportunities to build leadership and capacity within the team.
• Oversee operational execution, including scheduling, resourcing, and quality control.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as a key leader across departments to ensure consistent quality and alignment in all programmatic touchpoints and organizational events.
• Collaborate closely with Communications, Operations, Development, HR, and Executive teams to support integrated planning and stakeholder engagement.
• Act as a connective bridge between grassroots insights and strategic planning.
• Collaborate with internal departments (Research & Evaluation, Operations, Communications, Development) to ensure consistent integration of impact measurement, storytelling, and system strengthening.
• Lead the execution and cross-functional coordination of high-impact organizational events such as the STEM Futures Expo, seasonal showcases, alumni summits, and career panels.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with various stakeholders
• Liaise with various corporate, post-secondary and community organizations to support career readiness, internship programming, and youth transition efforts.
• Cultivate and maintain deep, trust-based relationships with youth, families, and the broader communities we serve—centering community leadership and lived experience as a foundation of our work.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement

• Champion the use of evidence and data for learning, accountability, and decision-making.
• Oversee evaluation strategies to track youth progress, inform continuous improvement, and demonstrate long-term impact.
• Lead knowledge-sharing initiatives across teams to promote excellence and innovation.

Community Engagement & Development

• Lead organization-wide strategy to build and sustain authentic, trust-based relationships with youth, families, and communities.
• Engage youth, families, and community stakeholders in reflective processes to ensure programs remain responsive, relevant, and grounded in lived experience.
• Represent Visions of Science in community and multi-stakeholder spaces to advance shared priorities and systems-level impact.

What We’re Looking For

Education & Training

• Post-secondary education in education, STEM, community development, nonprofit leadership, or a related field—or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous professional learning and improvement.

Required Experience & Expertise

• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in youth development, STEM programming, education, or nonprofit management.
• Experience managing multi-level teams and complex program portfolios.
• Strong track record of leading strategy, implementation, and innovation at scale.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain cross-sector partnerships.
• Proven financial stewardship, including managing budgets of $1M or more.

Key Competencies & Skills

• Visionary leadership and the ability to lead transformational initiatives.
• Advanced proficiency in managing large-scale projects, optimizing resources, and driving results.
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop others.
• Strong capacity for navigating complex challenges, managing competing priorities, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with a systems-thinking mindset.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Comfort working in dynamic, community-centered environments with multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with digital tools such as Google Suite, Asana, and Salesforce is an asset.

Preferred

• Lived experience related to the communities we collaborate with.
• Experience influencing sector-wide practices or engaging in advisory/board-level work.
• Knowledge of youth transitions, post-secondary access, or career pathways.
• Comfort in youth-led or storytelling spaces (e.g., public speaking, community events).

Application Process

Please submit your application by July 6, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET via this link. Application must include:

• Resume
• Statement of Interest (max. 1 page)
• 2-3 Professional References (references will only be contacted at a later stage in the hiring process, and only after informing candidates in advance)

Please note that only candidates selected to move forward in the hiring process will be contacted.

Commitment to Equity

Visions of Science is committed to employment equity, welcomes diversity in the workplace, and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. We strive for an inclusive and representative work environment. If you require accommodation during the application process, please contact [e-mail]. Resumes sent to this email address will not be considered.

To receive alerts on career and volunteer opportunities, sign up for our Opportunities Newsletter!