Director, Career Pathways Programs

Philadelphia Youth Network; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a strategic leader to serve as the Director of Career Pathways Programs. This full-time role focuses on creating impactful career development initiatives for youth aged 12-24, ensuring compliance with WIOA standards while fostering partnerships that drive education and employment opportunities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in workforce development, experience managing programs funded by WIOA, and a passion for empowering young individuals. Join a mission-driven organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty and making a lasting impact in the community.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits

Professional development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• 5+ years in career/workforce development or youth services.
• Experience managing federally-funded workforce programs.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement career development programs for youth.
• Collaborate with educational institutions and community organizations.

Skills

WIOA Program Management

Workforce Development

Career Readiness Strategies

Data Evaluation

Leadership Skills

Education

Bachelor’s in Education

Master’s in related field

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Join to apply for the Director, Career Pathways Programs role at Philadelphia Youth Network.

Description

Lead with Purpose: Become PYN’s Director of Career Pathways Programs! Are you a strategic leader passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for young people? Do you believe in the power of career-connected learning to transform lives and communities? At the Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN), we’re on a mission to equip Philadelphia’s youth with the tools, skills, and confidence they need to succeed in the workforce—and we need your leadership to advance this work. We are especially seeking a leader with experience managing WIOA-funded programs and a strong understanding of workforce development systems to ensure youth achieve measurable success in education, training, and employment pathways.

As the Director of Career Pathways Programs, you’ll lead impactful career development initiatives aligned with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) standards, manage a talented team, and cultivate strong partnerships to support youth ages 12–24. You will be responsible for driving measurable outcomes in career readiness, education, and employment, ensuring program excellence and compliance. This full-time, exempt position operates Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, with a salary range of $65,000–$75,000, and reports directly to the Executive Vice President.

If you’re ready to lead innovative, youth-centered programming, drive equity through education and employment, and advance workforce innovation under WIOA principles, we invite you to bring your vision and passion to our team!

Company Summary

Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) is a nationally recognized intermediary organization dedicated to improving Philadelphia's youth's economic and educational outcomes. We are committed to building a dynamic, equitable, and inclusive youth workforce in Philadelphia. Our goal is to break the cycle of generational poverty by creating pathways to educational and workforce success. We serve approximately 800 youth and young adults (ages 12-24) annually, working with strategic employers and community-based partners to create education and employment opportunities. Our impact is driven through career-connected learning in out-of-school time (OST) programs, internships, career placement, and system building that promotes equity, inclusion, and belonging. Learn more at www.pyninc.org.

Position Summary

The Director of Career Pathways is a key leadership role responsible for developing and implementing programs supporting youth and young adults' career advancement, especially Opportunity Youth. This includes designing and overseeing WIOA-funded initiatives aligned with federal and local workforce priorities, establishing strategic partnerships, creating innovative pathways, and ensuring effective service delivery to promote education, training, credentialing, and employment outcomes. The role supervises two staff members: the Job Coach and the Case Manager.

Position Responsibilities

• Design and implement comprehensive career development programs tailored to youth needs.
• Develop strategies to enhance career readiness, including workshops, mentorship, internships, and job placement.
• Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness to meet goals.
• Collaborate with educational institutions, community organizations, and industry partners to create career pathways.

• Oversee staff supervision, providing guidance and performance management.
• Foster an inclusive work environment encouraging professional growth.
• Develop staff training programs to ensure high-quality services.

• Establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders including businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies.
• Identify collaboration opportunities to expand program impact.
• Advocate for policies supporting youth career development.

• Manage resource allocation, including budgeting, to sustain programs.
• Pursue funding opportunities such as grants and sponsorships.
• Ensure compliance with policies and regulations.

• Develop evaluation frameworks to measure impact.
• Use data and feedback for continuous improvement.
• Implement best practices and innovative approaches.

• Lead cross-functional teams to execute strategic initiatives, oversee pilots and partnerships.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s in Education, Workforce Development, Social Work, or related; Master’s preferred.

Additional Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of WIOA or similar programs, including design, compliance, and metrics.
• Experience managing federally-funded workforce programs with a focus on outcomes.
• Experience engaging Opportunity Youth (ages 12–24), understanding barriers and strategies for re-engagement.
• Skilled in using performance measures to track and improve programs.
• Familiar with workforce systems like PA CareerLink and community partners.
• Ability to manage grants, ensure compliance, and participate in audits.

Experience:

• Minimum five years in career/workforce development or youth services.
• Minimum five years of staff supervision.
• Proven ability to lead youth-centered workforce programs.
• Experience building partnerships with employers, education, and community organizations.
• Data evaluation skills for program improvement.
• Strong leadership and project management skills.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Resourceful, detail-oriented, able to prioritize.
• Familiarity with PYN initiatives is a plus.
• Willingness to travel and work occasional evenings/weekends.

Personal Attributes

• Deep commitment to organization’s mission and values.
• Collaborative, relationship-builder.
• Strong leadership and mentorship skills.
• Self-starter, independent worker.

Employment Conditions

• Successful background checks required.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit/stand for long periods, lift light loads, use office equipment, communicate effectively, and walk between sites.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Supportive work environment.
• Contribute to empowering youth and community impact.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

PYN provides equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics.