Director of Capacity Building & Learning

About the role

The Director of Capacity Building & Learning will lead YDRC's strategy and implementation of capacity-building initiatives that strengthen youth-serving organizations across the region. This role will oversee professional learning programs, organizational capacity support, and leadership development opportunities designed to improve organizational effectiveness, program quality, and youth outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of YDRC’s capacity-building initiatives focused on organizational development, program quality improvement, and leadership development

• Facilitate and oversee learning cohorts, workshops, and professional learning opportunities for youth development leaders and practitioners

• Ensure YDRC’s capacity-building initiatives reflect best practices in youth development, organizational learning, and equity-centered systems change

• Support youth-serving organizations in improving program quality practices, youth engagement strategies, and organizational systems

• Integrate research and best practices from the youth development field into training and technical assistance offerings

• Identify capacity-building needs across youth-serving organizations to inform learning initiatives and training opportunities

• Partner with Program Consultants to design and implement leadership pipelines within youth-serving organizations, particularly for emerging and mid-career leaders

• Support professional development and peer learning opportunities that build management quality practices across the youth development workforce

• Facilitate communities of practice and learning environments that support leadership growth and organizational learning

• Develop learning opportunities that strengthen understanding of policy issues affecting out-of-school-time programs and youth development systems

• Work with YDRC leadership to integrate policy awareness and advocacy capacity into capacity-building initiatives

• Support youth-serving organizations in understanding how local and regional policies influence program sustainability and youth access to opportunities

• Lead a team that designs and delivers workshops and training opportunities that contribute to YDRC’s contractual opportunities and professional learning strategy

• Support the development of professional learning opportunities that expand YDRC’s training and capacity-building offerings

• Ensure training offerings maintain high quality and relevance to the needs of youth-serving organizations

• Supervise program staff, consultants, trainers, and coaches supporting YDRC’s capacity-building initiatives

• Manage program budgets, timelines, deliverables, and outcomes

• Support evaluation and learning processes to continuously improve YDRC’s capacity-building work

Requirements

Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in youth development, nonprofit leadership, organizational development, or a related field

Experience designing and facilitating professional learning, leadership development, or capacity-building initiatives

Strong understanding of youth development best practices and program quality standards

Strong facilitation, training, and group learning skills

Experience managing programs, consultants, trainers, coaches, or cross-sector initiatives

Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, timelines, deliverables, and program outcomes

Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills

Qualifications

Familiarity with out-of-school-time programs and the youth development ecosystem in Metro Detroit or Southeast Michigan

Commitment to equity and strengthening opportunities for young people across the region

Experience supporting organizational learning, continuous quality improvement, or systems change

Comfort working in a dynamic environment where priorities, partnerships, and learning needs may evolve

Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to foster collaboration across diverse organizations and stakeholders

Skills

Strategic thinker with a passion for youth development

Effective communicator and collaborator

Strong facilitation and training skills

Ability to manage multiple projects and teams

Experience with budgeting and program oversight

Benefits

Competitive benefits package, including professional development and wellness benefits

Full-time position based in Metro Detroit, Michigan

Pay

Salary range of $85,000-$95,000, commensurate with experience

Schedule

Full-time position