Associate Director - Youth In Action

BLACK - Building Leadership And Community Knowledge; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

BLACK - Building Leadership And Community Knowledge seeks an Associate Director to lead and advance youth programs in the Chicagoland area. The role requires strategic oversight, program development, and robust staff mentorship.

The incumbent will drive planning, execution, and evaluation, ensuring compliance and high-quality outcomes while fostering strong, inclusive communication across teams and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or extensive training related to youth-oriented programs.
• Must pass Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System inquiry.
• Experience with youth-focused initiatives is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Research, plan, develop and implement the organization’s youth programs.
• Train and mentor staff.
• Lead large group discussions to answer questions and remedy complaints.
• Create and nurture effective communication within the organization.
• Build a strong team through open communication and collaborative decision-making.
• Set goals for programs based on organizational objectives.
• Plan programs from start to finish with deadlines and milestones.
• Develop and approve operations and budgets.
• Maintain thorough records including participant files, reports and attendance.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic mindset

Multitasking

Problem-solving

Written & verbal comms

Interpersonal skills

Cross-cultural comunication

Youth programs experience

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field

Job description

Associate Director is responsible for researching, planning, developing and implementing organization’s youth programs.

• Help train and be a motivating mentor to staff.
• Lead large group discussions to answer questions and remedy complaints.
• Create and nurture effective communication within the organization.
• Help build a strong team through open communication and by collaborating on decision‑making responsibilities.
• Initiate and set goals for programs based on the organization's strategic objectives.
• Assist with planning programs from start to finish, including identifying processes, deadlines and milestones.
• Help develop and approve operations and budgets.
• Maintain excellent record‑keeping in the form of participant files, reports, documented coursework, student attendance, etc.

Associate Director has a variety of skills and qualifications that allow them to manage their responsibilities effectively, which can include:

• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Strategic mindset
• Ability to multitask
• Problem‑solving skills
• Written and verbal communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated interest, familiarity or direct work experience with the youth of the community.
• Able to communicate with a culturally diverse group.
• Excellent, verifiable work and/or scholastic history with related references.
• Must pass Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System inquiry.

Bachelor’s Degree or extensive training or workplace experience directly related to youth-oriented programs and services.

Candidates must live in the Chicagoland area.