Director of Life & Workforce Readiness

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida seeks a Director of Life and Workforce Readiness to lead life skills, workforce readiness, and college/career programming for teens across clubs. You will develop programming, build partnerships, and equip staff to deliver engaging experiences that prepare youth for postsecondary success.

The role collaborates with the Regional Director of Program Excellence and coordinates teen programs, grants, and youth leadership initiatives, with occasional direct

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in Education, Youth Development, Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or related field.
• Two to three years coordinating programs across multiple locations.
• Experience with grant implementation, program compliance, budgets, and reporting.
• Experience with Boys & Girls Club programming or youth leadership initiatives is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a plan to grow life and workforce readiness programming across traditional Clubs.
• Create age-appropriate experiences linking career exploration with skill development and planning.
• Build employability and life skills like resume writing, interviewing, and professionalism.
• Guide implementation of BGCA programs such as Career Launch and Diplomas to Degrees.
• Coordinate Teen programs, grants, partnerships, and on-site staff development.
• Train and mentor staff in trauma-informed practices and program delivery.
• Visit Clubs to coach staff and support teen outreach and recruitment.
• Lead Youth of the Year and related teen leadership initiatives.

Skills

Youth development

Partnership development

Staff training

Communication

Project planning

Trauma-informed practices

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Youth Development, Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Workforce Development, CTE or related field

Tools

Office software

Program reporting systems

Job description

Since 1944, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida has provided children and teens, ages 6 to 18, with a safe place to learn and grow during non-school hours. Today, more than 15,000 young people call our 39 Clubs across five Central Florida counties home. The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring adults. Every day after school and all summer long, our members walk through the blue doors at little or no cost to their families and find academic support, enrichment, and caring adult role models who believe in what they can become.

How we do it matters as much as what we do. Our Clubs deliver quality programming grounded in evidence across six core pillars of focus: education and career development; character and leadership development; sports, fitness, and recreation; health and life skills; the arts; and mental health. That work is reinforced by practices informed by trauma research, mental and emotional wellness support, and an unwavering commitment to safety. The results show up in graduation rates, college and vocational school enrollment, grades, and young people who tell us they feel emotionally safe at their Club. As part of the national Future Ready movement, we are growing bigger, better, and bolder, and we know none of it happens without exceptional people. That is why we invest in our team through comprehensive training, leader development, competitive compensation and benefits, and a workplace culture built on excellence, belonging, and accountability. If you want your work to change the trajectory of a child's life, there is a place for you here. Great futures start here, and they start with you.

TITLE:

Director of Life & Workforce Readiness

DEPARTMENT:

Club Operations

REPORTS TO:

Regional Director of Program Excellence

FLSA STATUS:

Exempt

WORKER CATEGORY:

Full-Time

EMPLOYMENT FUNCTION:

Professional

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Life and Workforce Readiness leads the development and expansion of life skills, workforce readiness, and college and career programming for teens at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida’s traditional Clubs. This position helps teens explore their interests, build practical skills, and connect with education, training, and employment opportunities that support their goals beyond high school.

Reporting to the Regional Director of Program Excellence, the Director develops programming, builds partnerships, and equips Club staff to deliver meaningful experiences. The position also coordinates Youth of the Year, Jr. Youth of the Year, and other teen programs and grants as assigned. The role has no direct reports and achieves results through collaboration, staff training, and consistent follow-through, with occasional direct program delivery as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Development and Growth

• Develop and implement a coordinated plan to grow life and workforce readiness programming across traditional Clubs, with clear priorities, timelines, participation goals, and intended outcomes.
• Develop a progression of age-appropriate experiences for middle and high school youth, connecting career exploration with skill development, postsecondary planning, and workforce entry.
• Build employability and life skills, including resume writing, interviewing, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, financial literacy, professionalism, and responsible decision‑making.
• Guide implementation of relevant BGCA and locally developed programs, including Career Launch and Diplomas to Degrees, to support college, technical education, credentials, and employment pathways.
• Develop program resources and calendars with Club teams; use teen interests and feedback to create engaging experiences and improve access across Clubs.

Partnerships and Teen Opportunities

• Build and maintain partnerships with employers, colleges, technical schools, workforce organizations, and community partners to expand opportunities for teens.
• Coordinate career speakers, college and workplace visits, mentoring, career fairs, job shadowing, and access to internships, pre‑apprenticeships, and employment opportunities.
• Develop partner commitments and coordinate onboarding and logistics through BGCCF procedures; maintain contact to assess experience quality and youth progress.
• Connect teens and families with college and technical school applications, scholarships, financial aid resources, and training or credential opportunities; coordinate support for barriers such as transportation.

Staff Training and Program Support

• Train and mentor Club staff in program delivery, teen engagement, youth development, trauma‑informed practices, and documentation; model quality facilitation as needed.
• Collaborate with Regional Director of Program Excellence, Regional Directors of Club Operations, Club leadership, and program colleagues to coordinate implementation, address challenges, and strengthen program quality.
• Visit Clubs to observe programs, coach staff, and follow up on improvements. Collaborate on teen outreach and recruitment strategies that strengthen participation and retention.
• Deliver programs, workshops, or special experiences directly to teens on occasion when needed to support implementation or assigned initiatives.

Youth Leadership and Assigned Teen Programs

• Coordinate Youth of the Year and Jr. Youth of the Year, including planning, staff guidance, participant preparation, required materials, and program timelines.
• Support Club staff in helping youth develop leadership, public speaking, and personal storytelling skills while ensuring their own voices and experiences remain central.
• Lead other teen programs and initiatives as assigned, with clear plans, communication, and accountability for completion.

Grant Management and Program Accountability

• Manage implementation of assigned teen program grants, translating requirements into work plans, Club responsibilities, milestones, and reporting schedules.
• Monitor participation, program delivery, outcomes, and required documentation; identify gaps early and coordinate corrective steps with appropriate staff.
• Maintain accurate program records and prepare timely reports in collaboration with the Grants team and other departments.
• Coordinate assigned program budgets and grant spending with the supervisor, Finance, and Grants teams to align resources with approved activities and requirements.
• Evaluate programs against participation and outcome goals; prepare an annual written analysis of teen needs and interests and recommend improvements with BGCCF leadership.
• Support funding proposals and partner updates by providing program plans, outcome information, and participant stories with appropriate consent.

General Accountabilities

• Safeguard confidential member, family, and personnel information.
• Maintain and update job knowledge by participating in required training and professional development opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned that are consistent with the role and aligned with the mission and values of BGCCF.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Youth Development, Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Workforce Development, Career and Technical Education, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience:

• Two to three years of experience coordinating programs across multiple locations.
• Two to three years of experience working with teens and supporting youth development, workforce readiness, college and career preparation, or related programming.
• Experience with grant implementation, program compliance, budgets, and reporting.
• Experience with Boys & Girls Club programming, Youth of the Year, Jr. Youth of the Year, or comparable youth leadership initiatives a plus.

Certifications and Licenses:

• CPR, AED, and First Aid certification required within 90 days of hire and maintained throughout employment.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for regular travel to Club and partner sites required.

Skills:

• Ability to build partnerships with employers, education providers, and community organizations.
• Ability to train staff, facilitate groups, and guide implementation without direct supervisory authority.
• Strong planning and coordination skills; ability to manage multiple programs, deadlines, and follow‑up with limited supervision.
• Strong communication skills and ability to build respectful relationships with teens, families, staff, and partners from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, evaluate outcomes, and improve programs.
• Proficiency with office software and ability to learn program reporting systems.

KEY ROLE COMPETENCIES:

Drives results

• Grows teen participation, program quality, and outcomes across traditional Clubs, setting clear goals and following through until commitments are met.
• Uses participation, outcome, and feedback data to adjust plans and strengthen life and workforce readiness programming.

Builds networks

• Develops and sustains partnerships with employers, colleges, technical schools, workforce organizations, and community partners that expand opportunities for teens.
• Maintains regular contact with partners to assess experience quality, youth progress, and new opportunities.
• Trains, mentors, and coaches Club staff to deliver engaging, trauma‑informed teen programming with consistency and quality.
• Models effective facilitation and provides practical feedback during Club visits and follow‑up.

Plans and aligns

• Translates program and grant requirements into clear work plans, calendars, milestones, and reporting schedules across multiple Clubs.