Life & Workforce Readiness Director

Department: Operations | Report To: Director of Operations | FLSA Status: Exempt | Salary: In Person. Monday-Friday; some Saturdays required.

About the Role

The Life & Workforce Readiness Director leads the design, implementation, and evaluation of workplace readiness, career exploration, and employment pathways for youth and teens across the Boys & Girls Club of Kentuckiana, including the Mobile Club. This role ensures all workforce initiatives align with the BGCA Workforce Readiness Framework, utilizing evidence-based tools such as YouScience, Transfr VR, and the BGCA Workplace Curriculum. The director will guide youth and teens through career assessments, industry simulations, and skill-building experiences that prepare them for real-world opportunities and long-term success. The role directly supports multiple funded workforce initiatives and is responsible for meeting grant-required participation and outcome targets.

Program Targets & Outcomes

• Serve a minimum of 25 teens per Club site annually
• Serve an additional 50 teens through the Mobile Club annually
• Administer and track pre- and post-assessments for workforce readiness outcomes
• Document participation, credentialing progress, and workforce exploration

Responsibilities

Youth Recruitment & Engagement

• Actively recruit teens who face barriers to opportunity, including lack of access to transportation, technology, career exposure, or stable employment supports
• Build strong relationships with teens and families to increase consistent participation in workforce programming
• Partner with schools, counselors, and community organizations to identify and enroll youth most in need

Workforce Programming & Instruction

• Facilitate workforce development programming using:
  • YouScience for aptitude discovery and career matching
  • Transfr VR for hands-on career simulations
  • BGCA Workforce Readiness Curriculum for soft skills, resume building, financial literacy, and interview preparation
• Lead structured workforce labs, career exploration sessions, and job readiness workshops
• Support youth in setting career goals, exploring postsecondary options, and building individualized career plans

Assessment, Data & Grant Compliance

• Administer and track pre- and post-tests tied to workforce readiness, skill development, and employability growth
• Maintain accurate participation records, outcomes, and success stories for grant reporting
• Support all grant compliance requirements tied to workforce development funding, including documentation for federal, foundation, and corporate grants
• Work closely with the Grants and Finance teams to ensure programmatic reporting aligns with awarded funding

Partnership Development & Workforce Exposure

• Build and maintain relationships with local employers, training providers, trade unions, colleges, and workforce agencies
• Coordinate:
  • Job fairs
  • Employer site visits
  • Guest speakers
  • Mock interviews
  • Certification training opportunities
• Serve as the primary liaison between Club sites and workforce partners

Resource Development Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with the Resource Development Department to:
  • Schedule job fairs and workforce events
  • Align employer engagement with grant deliverables
  • Support donor engagement activities connected to workforce programming
  • Provide impact data, photos, and success stories for funder reports and communications

Mobile Club Workforce Programming

• Deliver workforce readiness programming through the Mobile Club to reach youth in underserved neighborhoods
• Ensure Mobile Club programming meets the annual service target of 50 workforce youth served
• Coordinate logistics, curriculum delivery, and partner engagement for mobile workforce initiatives

Special Events & Additional Duties

• Assist in execution of special events
• Perform other duties assigned to support the overall success of the program
• Required to drive a club vehicle

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Business, Human Resources, or a related field (preferred)
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in workforce development, educational programming, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience in program development, management, and evaluation
• Strong leadership skills with a proven track record of motivating and managing teams
• Excellent partnership-building skills with an ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders including educators, businesses, and community leaders
• Knowledge of current trends, resources, and information related to youth employment and workforce readiness
• Valid driver’s license
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written
• Required to drive a company vehicle at times