DescriptionPosition Title: Associate Director of Youth Development Programs Department: Youth Development Services (YDS) Reports to: Director of Youth Development Position Objective and Summary: In coordination with the Director of Youth Development, the function of the Associate Director is to serve as lead planner, coordinator, and support the department and Director. The Associate Director will have a strategic role in ensuring the alignment of program goals and objectives are critically met. While adhering to program standards and regulations, this position will supervise staff who administer components of programs; act as liaison with CPS, the Department of Family Support Services (DFSS), DCFS, and provide support to direct line staff. The Associate Director will monitor and develop training and education modules for outcomes, develop and maintain partnerships with stakeholders, and manage participant flow for programs. In collaboration with the Director of Youth Development, this position is responsible for the framework of the programs and all aspects of program implementation. Essential Functions and Responsibilities:Project Management
- Direct and manage program development from beginning to end, ensuring that all program deliverables/benchmarks are met.
- Effectively communicate program expectations to team members in a timely and clear manner
- Determine and assess the need for additional staff, stakeholders and/or resources and make the appropriate sourcing if necessary, during program cycles.
- Delegate tasks and responsibilities to appropriate personnel
- Identify and resolve issues and conflicts within program teams.
- Coordinate outreach to qualified youth participants
- Plan, schedule and track program (and participant) timelines and milestones using appropriate tools.
- Participate in program meetings with funders and program providers.
- Complete and maintain all necessary reports and required program participant spreadsheets.
- Maintain funder compliance as well as UCAN compliance.
- Develop and deliver progress reports, documentation and presentations.
- Proactively manage changes in program scopes, identify potential crisis and work with the Director to devise contingency plans.
Communication
- Facilitates team, client, and interdisciplinary meetings effectively.
- Holds regular status meetings with program teams.
- Keeps program teams well informed of changes within the program and general departmental news.
- Effectively communicates relevant program information to the Director of Youth Development and other key participants via conference calls and in person meetings.
- Understands how to communicate difficult/sensitive information tactfully.
- Coordinate with collaborative partners and stakeholders to identify opportunities to resolve problems and opportunities for growth.
Teamwork/Leadership
- Possess strong leadership skills to inspire team members to attain goals and pursue excellence.
- Build and maintain business partnerships with both employers, community organizations and education systems for the purpose of placement and referrals for youth participants.
- Identifies opportunities for improvement and makes constructive suggestions for change.
- Manages the process of innovative change effectively.
- Remains in touch with emerging tools and programming that may help to add success to programs and departmental needs.
- Demonstrate solution focused problem-solving skills and work to empower and lead associates to do the same.
Developing and Leading Employees
- Orients and trains new employees according to program and department guidelines to ensure all new employees are ready and able to perform as necessary.
- Sets and evaluates clear and collaborative individual performance goals for employees in collaboration with the Director of Youth Development.
- Provides regular individual supervision and performance feedback to employees.
- Coaches and mentor's employee development around professional interests and career goals.
- Recognizes and rewards employee performance, initiative and decision-making.
- Completes meaningful Performance Reviews for all employees and submits as required.
Professionalism and Work Conduct
- Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of UCAN.
- Acts in a professional manner always and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients and staff.
- Punctual to all work, meetings, training, and job-related activities prepared and as scheduled.
- Understands and supports UCAN's standard of cultural proficiency and strives to meet it.
- Responds to clients and their families, UCAN staff, service providers and other stakeholders in a timely manner and ensures follow up to adequately address their need.
- Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.
Education/Job Experience/Certification:
- Bachelor's degree in business management, Non-Profit Management, or Education Administration; with minimum eight years of equivalent experience. Master's degree preferred.
- Three to five years of supervisory and/or management experience in Youth Development, Non-Profit, Education Administration or Business management required.
- Intermediate/advanced computer software experience (word, excel, etc.)
- Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
Special Knowledge and Qualifications:
- Possess general understanding in the areas of application programming and youth development.
- Experience and ability to use computers for data entry, communication and report writing.
- Understands and utilizes internet, intranet and power point presentations effectively.
- Strong communication and writing (presentation) skills required.
- Proven experience in budget management
- Demonstrated experience managing a team with proven teamwork skills.
- Strong sense of responsibility and orientation to detail
- Proven ability to effectively manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Experience working in youth and/or employment programs.
- Experience planning, coordinating and facilitating events.
- Is open and respectful of cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and is willing and competent to work with a diverse client population.
- Ability to work both independently and within a high-functioning team.
- Automobile and valid Illinois driver's license required.
Work Environment: This position requires the use of a car for local travel to multiple UCAN sites and to provide services to clients in their homes and in their community. This position may require the transportation of clients and/or their children. Work Conditions: This position may require work on weekends and evenings.