Senior Director of Youth and Workforce Development

GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE POSITION: Responsible for developing and implementing the workforce programs for the organization

The Senior Director of Youth and Workforce Development provides strategic, operational, and programmatic leadership for Xiente’s youth and young adult development and workforce services. The position is responsible for ensuring that programs provide safe, coordinated, participant-centered pathways to education, employment, economic mobility, and long-term success.

The Senior Director oversees assigned program directors, managers, staff, consultants, volunteers, and contracted partners. The position ensures alignment across youth development, career readiness, workforce training, supportive services, employer engagement, work-based learning, job placement, participant retention, data management, grant compliance, and building-based operations.

The Senior Director is responsible for converting Xiente’s organizational strategy into measurable annual plans, program standards, staff expectations, partnerships, and participant outcomes. The position works closely with executive leadership, Finance, Human Resources, Data and Technology, Development, and other Xiente departments.

The ideal candidate is an experienced youth and workforce development leader who can manage complex programs, supervise managers, build employer and community partnerships, oversee grants and budgets, use data to improve performance, and maintain a culture of accountability, safety, inclusion, and participant success..

Primary Responsibilities/ Tasks:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for Youth Take Action and workforce development programs.
• Supervise assigned directors, managers, coordinators, staff, interns, volunteers, consultants, and contracted partners.
• Develop and monitor annual program plans, goals, timelines, performance measures, and expected outcomes.
• Oversee the participant journey from outreach and intake through training, supportive services, placement, retention, advancement, and alumni engagement.
• Lead career readiness, occupational training, credentialing, internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, employer visits, and other work-based learning activities.
• Build and maintain partnerships with employers, training providers, schools, colleges, workforce agencies, government agencies, and community organizations.
• Develop employer pipelines that support internships, apprenticeships, interviews, job placements, workplace tours, and career exploration.
• Coordinate supportive services and referrals that reduce barriers to education, training, employment, and long-term success.
• Manage program budgets, grants, contracts, reporting, documentation, deliverables, and funder communication.
• Ensure accurate and timely tracking of participant services, attendance, goals, progress, employer engagement, placements, retention, and outcomes.
• Use Salesforce data, participant feedback, employer feedback, and program results to improve service quality and demonstrate impact.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, grant requirements, confidentiality standards, youth safety protocols, and applicable regulations.
• Ensure adequate staffing, program coverage, staff accountability, participant supervision, and safe daily operations.
• Represent Xiente in workforce, employer, government, funder, and community meetings.
• Stay current with workforce trends, youth employment practices, labor-market needs, economic mobility strategies, and emerging career pathways.
• Perform other duties assigned by the COO or Xiente leadership that are consistent with the scope of the position.

Organizational Competencies:

Professionalism: Is able to communicate present information in a professional and

structured manner.

• Is open to feedback and has a growth mindset.

Teamwork: Collaborate with others to advance the mission of the

organization.

Integrity: Maintain confidentiality of all information regarding the

organization.

• Has the ability to take ethical decisions all the time, safeguarding

the wellbeing of the organization.

Strategic Planning Leads the strategic planning processes for the fulfillment of

organizational goals and objectives.

• Develops Action Plans to align the organization with the Strategy.
• Demonstrates your critical analysis and problem-solving

capabilities.

• Make changes and adjustments to achieve goals and objectives.

Commitment to the Mission Demonstrates the ability to adjust to situations of change positively.

• Learn in detail how the operation impacts the mission.
• It shows with actions that it believes in equality and economic mobility

for all.

• It develops knowledge and stays at the forefront of issues related to the

area of work and the organization.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in workforce development, education, human services, public administration, business administration, social work, or related field preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required. Equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in youth development, workforce development, education, human services, or related programming.
• At least three years of supervisory, program management, or team leadership experience preferred.
• Experience working with youth, young adults, families, and communities impacted by poverty, limited access to opportunity, violence, unemployment, or systemic barriers.
• Strong knowledge of Philadelphia workforce systems, employer networks, training providers, and career pathway opportunities preferred.
• Experience developing and facilitating workshops, training sessions, career readiness activities, or employment preparation programs.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships with employers, schools, community organizations, funders, and public agencies.
• Experience managing budgets, grants, contracts, deliverables, compliance requirements, and program outcomes preferred.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and use data to improve program performance and participant outcomes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and report writing.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage both strategy and daily details.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, databases, case management systems, and digital communication tools.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• Ability to work independently, solve problems, set priorities, and produce results with limited supervision.
• Sensitivity to confidentiality requirements and participant privacy.
• Ability to secure PA Child Abuse Clearance, PA Criminal History Clearance, FBI Clearance, and National Sex Offender Registry clearance.
• Valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation preferred.
• Ability to secure required health clearances every two years and TB clearance as required.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to climb steps