OPPORTUNITY YOUTH PROJECT DIRECTOR

JOB DESCRIPTION: OPPORTUNITY YOUTH PROJECT DIRECTOR

Location: (National) Remote and Hybrid Sites

Reports to: Senior Director of Learning Systems

Division: Learning Systems

Position Type: Full Time Salary

Purpose Statement:
Responsible for overseeing the delivery of Opportunity Youth efforts directly related to regional and national strategic and coordinated partnerships and programming.  Creating a national incubator for opportunity youth skill development best practices, mobilizing the National Institute to Unlock Potential's framework and ultimately transforming the future of the nation's workforce.

About Big Thought:  
Throughout our 30+ year history of innovation, Big Thought has become a national model in arts education, out of school time systems, summer learning and juvenile justice intervention. Now, we’re one of six community partnerships in the U.S helping scale the national’s best practice in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). We take direct-to-youth programs and resources to communities with the greatest needs and share our evidence-based best practices with other nonprofits and organizations through a suite of consultation services including professional development, curriculum design and technical assistance.  

#Big Thought Way:  
Big Thought brings relentless optimism, innovation, and imagination to everything we do.  Our kids come first, and we use a collaborative, all hands-on deck approach to ensure that they are served well.   

Essential Job Duties:

• Design, create and lead a national network of community-based organizations, businesses, and young people
• Recruit national network partners for national incubator
• Ensure that skills-based frameworks are developed and disseminated
• Serve as a liaison between Big Thought and the national community
• Develop and implement a strategic roadmap for the national OY incubator, aligning with national innovation goals and industry needs.
• Visionary Leadership: Inspire stakeholders by setting clear objectives and long-term goals for fostering workforce-based skills, entrepreneurship and technological innovation.
• Ensure the OY incubator’s mission and activities align with current government policies, national economic goals, and relevant frameworks
• Design programs that offer organizations or participants the tools, resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities needed to grow.
• Develop customizable services, workshops, and training sessions to support the varying needs of organizations, including business-community connections, market entry strategies, and digital credentialing/badging.
• Establish partnerships with industry experts, businesses, entrepreneurs, universities, and government agencies to enrich OY incubator offerings.
• Ensure the smooth operation of the OY incubator, including technology, traveling, staffing, and scheduling of events.
• Collaborate with a cross-functional team (e.g., program managers, contractors, etc.), ensuring effective collaboration.
• Develop KPIs and metrics for tracking the progress of OY incubator participants and overall program success. Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the incubator’s offerings and make adjustments.
• Manage the financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation for the project.
• Represent the OY incubator at national and international events, promoting its mission, success stories, and attracting new participants and partners.
• Monitor trends in workforce, entrepreneurship, innovation, and ecosystems to ensure the incubator remains relevant and ahead of the curve.
• Provide accurate reports and data as required

General Job Duties and Expectations:

• Represent Big Thought to partners, community, youth and staff
• Adhere to all rules, regulations, and policies of Big Thought
• Attend team meetings as required

Experience Required:

Project and Program Management

• Experience: 5-7 years in project management, ideally with programs focused on youth empowerment, workforce development, or social services.
• Skills: Ability to design, implement, and scale programs; strong skills in budgeting, scheduling, and reporting.

 Youth Development Expertise

• Experience: Proven track record (2+years) working directly with youth, particularly those from underserved backgrounds or justice-impacted populations.
• Skills: Knowledge of trauma-informed practices, culturally responsive strategies, and an understanding of the unique barriers faced by opportunity youth (youth aged 16-24 not in school or work).

Community Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement

• Experience: Experience building relationships with diverse stakeholders, including community organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies.
• Skills: Strong networking and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to advocate for youth initiatives and work collaboratively across sectors.

 Data-Driven Decision Making

• Experience: Familiarity with data collection and analysis to assess program impact, identify trends, and make data-informed improvements.
• Skills: Proficiency with data management software, ability to create actionable insights, and experience with evaluation frameworks.

 Leadership and People Management

• Experience: Supervisory experience managing teams or volunteers is often preferred, along with experience in leading or mentoring youth directly.
• Skills: Strong leadership abilities, conflict resolution skills, and the capacity to inspire and guide teams toward shared goals.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit administration, applied or community health preferred
• High school diploma with sufficient experience
• Community or nonprofit certifications will be considered

Physical Expectations (not an exhaustive list):  

Big Thought jobs are hands on and can be physically demanding.  To perform the duties of these roles successfully, you may regularly be required to: sit, stand, or stare at computer screen for long periods of time; participate in external activities; use various office equipment, some manual; work in environment with loud sounds, multiple distractions, and interruptions; be exposed to extreme hot or cold temperatures on occasion; maintain emotional control during stressful situations.  

BIG THOUGHT ASPIRES TO BE A WORKPLACE OF INCLUSION & EQUITY.  WE VISUALIZE A WORKPLACE THAT PROVIDES AN EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE.  WE BELIEVE A BASELINE REQUIREMENT TO ACHIEVE OUR VISION IS EVERYONE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT – REGARDLESS THE ISSUE AT HAND.  

Big Thought is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.  

Employees of Big Thought are expected to participate in mission driven activities, meetings, committees, etc. BT is based on a team environment and openness to always “lend a hand” as appropriate to another employee. 

All employees are required to adhere to BT policies and procedures.  All employees may expect to perform duties as assigned. In addition, all employees may be assigned “other” duties in the spirit of teamwork. 

NOTE: This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.  The CEO and/or designee has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.