Youth Program Manager

Reporting to the Program Director, we have a one-year contract opportunity for a Youth Program Manager who wants to lead a dynamic, cross-functional team, overseeing our IT workforce development and life skills program for young adults. It's an exciting chance to hone your leadership skills while continuing to play an essential frontline role.

Toronto, ON

NPower Canada

NPower Canada is a charitable organization that launches underserved young adults into meaningful and sustainable careers. The program provides participants with free in-demand digital and professional skills training, and connects them to new and rewarding career opportunities with some of Canada&rsquo;s largest employers. Through consultation with a wide range of employers, NPower Canada&rsquo;s comprehensive curriculum ensures participants are equipped with the in-demand technical and professional skills most sought after by industry.<br /><br /> NPower Canada provides employers with access to a pipeline of eager, diverse and job-ready young talent with in-demand digital skills who are primed to succeed in the workplace. Graduates receive ongoing support and coaching to ensure continued success in their careers. <br /><br />NPower was founded in New York City in 2001 and now operates in New York, New Jersey, Texas, California, Baltimore and St. Louis. https://npowercanada.ca/

keywords: who we are,who we need,who you are,what's in it for you,program management,build and nurture a team,admissions,program evaluation,case management,education,experience,compassion,leadership,technical skills

Mid Level

Overview: <p>At NPower Canada, a charitable organization established in 2014, we are on a mission to help as many young people as possible by providing them with the technical and soft skills they need to secure employment in the technology field, often lifting themselves and their families out of poverty.</p> <p>We provide an all-encompassing program that teaches in-demand technical and soft skills, as identified by our employment partners from banks to startups. We take our program - and our youth - to the next level by including one-on-one and group coaching that builds business communication and customer-facing skills as well as addresses mental health and other societal obstacles that may impede completing certification. Our goal is to connect at least 80% of our program graduates to new and rewarding career opportunities with some of Canada's largest employers, supporting all of our alumni with ongoing mentorship and placement support for five years after they complete our program.&nbsp;</p> <p>Our unique approach to workforce development has seen 1,398 youth graduate from our programs in the last five years. In addition to growing our current capacity, we are scaling our model to include alumni training programs through a $2.5 million grant from Google.org and a new reskilling program. To support our growth within the GTA, in Calgary and soon in Halifax and Vancouver, we are adding passionate, collaborative, motivated, and compassionate team members to our offices.&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Right now, we are searching for a <strong>Youth Program Manager </strong>to join us in Toronto for a one-year contract.</em></p> <p><strong>Who we need</strong></p> <p>Reporting to the Program Director, we have a one-year contract opportunity for a <strong>Youth Program Manager</strong> who wants to lead a dynamic, cross-functional team, overseeing our IT workforce development and life skills program for young adults. It's an exciting chance to hone your leadership skills while continuing to play an essential frontline role. You will be accountable for ensuring that at least 80% of program participants complete training and secure IT-related, full-time employment or enroll in postsecondary education within six months of training completion.</p> <p><strong>Who you are&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>You want to make an impact - and you are ready to jump in, pick up the reins, and run with it. You are a well-rounded Youth Program Manager with direct experience in training and education. Ideally, you have a background in employment services or work skills training. You understand how to manage end-to-end non-profit program delivery successfully. You are comfortable presenting findings and analysis to stakeholders and equally at home, sitting with diverse participants to address barriers to learning. You can dig in and get your hands dirty as well as implement highly effective oversight. You are passionate about creating employment opportunities for youth through targeted, holistic education. You believe in fostering a partnership with your teams and participants, engaging and empowering them in thoughtful and creative ways, motivating them to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential.&nbsp;</p>
Responsibilities: <p><strong>What's in it for you</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Purpose</strong></em>. This is an outstanding opportunity to see the tangible results of the work you do as we transform the lives of our participants. This is a genuine chance to make an impact on someone's life, empowering them to contribute to their community as they learn relevant skills for the future of work.</p> <p><em><strong>Vocation fulfillment</strong></em>. This is a chance to work with individuals seeking opportunities to update their skills and take the next step in their careers. It's an exciting opportunity to develop and evolve programs that are directly responding to the needs of our communities. No two days will be the same.&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Growth potential</strong></em>. You will have ongoing opportunities to achieve technical certifications and learn new ways of delivering content to your participants. The chance to move up exists as we expand our program offerings both locally and nationally. Over 75% of our staff have grown their capacity and moved up in roles and responsibilities since starting here. If you are passionate about our purpose, you will find a fulfilling career path here.</p> <p><em><strong>Exposure</strong></em>. You will have the opportunity to work with leaders and team members at our partners to learn more about the skills they are seeking in new hires and then create programs to deliver those skills.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>How you will make an impact:</strong></p> <p><strong>Program management</strong>. You will supervise frontline staff to ensure that participants are prepared to market themselves professionally, collaborating across teams - Job Placement, Instruction, Program Coordination, Career Coordination, Frontline, and Leadership - to:</p> <ul> <li>Ensure effective design and delivery of professional development training and career counselling.</li> <li>Certification outcomes are achieved.</li> <li>Equip all participants with professional resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles and ensure the are ready to market themselves to employers</li> <li>Oversee development of Program Calendar for each cohort.</li> <li>Schedule employee engagement opportunities for corporate partners such as site tours, speed networking, and presentations.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Build and nurture a team</strong>. You will coach and mentor frontline staff in effective program delivery, participant management strategies, and core elements of program delivery, such as issue resolution, crisis intervention, facilitation, lesson planning, teaching, and providing warm and appropriate referrals.</p> <p><strong>Admissions</strong>. You will work with the Recruitment and Admissions teams to ensure that enrollment targets are achieved with the most suitable youth. You will:</p> <ul> <li>Support participant with the admissions process</li> <li>Ensure the most suitable candidates are admitted into the program</li> <li>Lead sensitive meetings or communications with applicants who have been denied admission or exited from Bootcamp.</li> <li>Deliver presentations to key recruitment stakeholders.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Program Evaluation</strong>. You will assist the leadership team in collecting data and analyzing qualitative and quantitative program outcomes. You will:&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Conduct quarterly data reviews, ensuring completeness and accuracy of data entered regarding key metrics (enrollment, certification, referrals, employment, and graduation outcomes).</li> <li>Prepare weekly reports regarding program activities and results, providing feedback to frontline staff regarding case notes and documentation to ensure adherence to best practices.</li> <li>Prepare end-of-cohort reports to facilitate reflection on best practices, lessons learned, and outcomes achieved to inform future cohort delivery.</li> <li>Cultivate, grow, and steward key employer and stakeholder relationships, supporting marketing efforts with case study identification and other content development.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Case management</strong>. You will lead case conferencing and provide case supervision to the program team, assisting frontline staff with successfully navigating and resolving challenging participant service situations. You will:</p> <ul> <li>Oversee participant disciplinary process and lead sensitive meetings with participants, especially when addressing final warnings and dismissals.</li> <li>Serve as the first point of escalation to address participant complaints; work with staff to document, respond to, and resolve complaints.</li> <li>Oversee coordination of participant resources (professional clothing, transportation vouchers, exam vouchers, housing, etc.).</li> </ul>
Requirements: <p><strong>What you bring to the team:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>The education</strong>. You have postsecondary education in human services, employment counselling, non-profit sector management, or a related discipline.</li> <li><strong>The experience</strong>. You have 3-5 years of experience in non-profit sector program management, preferably in the employment services field and ideally targeting participants 18-29. You have demonstrable strengths in program planning, development, evaluation, and reporting.&nbsp;</li> <li><strong>The compassion</strong>. You exhibit a high level of sensitivity, relatability, and emotional intelligence. You understand the socio-economic and mental health barriers faced by the youth of all backgrounds, and you have experience working with diverse community members, including new Canadians, people with disabilities, LGBTQ, low income, and racialized groups.</li> <li><strong>The leadership</strong>. You are an exceptional people manager who can grow, coach, and develop a highly responsive frontline team stepping up to meet the needs of youth. You can foster and nurture internal and external relationships with participants, colleagues, funders, community and employer partners, and other stakeholders.</li> <li><strong>The technical skills</strong>. You are proficient with educational software including, but not limited to, Google Drive and Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Schoology, an LMS, and a CRM. You have exposure to a blended learning approach and can lead to the implementation of best practices.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><strong>Why should I join?</strong></p> <p>Joining NPower Canada is an opportunity to make an I - M - P - A - C - T:</p> <p><strong>Innovation.</strong> You will be part of our continuously evolving purpose, to reflect the needs of our employers and respond to the needs of the youth we support. We are always looking for ways to change, and we want team members to propose and try new ideas.</p> <p><strong>Motivation.</strong> You will make a measurable difference in people's lives. Everything we do and every action we take at NPower Canada is motivated by the chance to change lives.</p> <p><strong>Passion.</strong> You will have the opportunity to channel the desire and drive of the youth we serve. We support youth in overcoming adversity to achieve their career aspirations. The people who make up our teams are genuinely committed to making a difference.</p> <p><strong>Agility.</strong> You will be part of an industry-driven program that is growing strategically. We are always testing and evaluating new curriculum and approaches to programming. We foster a growth mindset and take pride in the way we change lives.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Collaboration. </strong>You are all in. And so are we. From admissions to alumni, from operations to fundraising, everyone within the organization works in partnership with each other. We are wholly focused on the opportunity we have to elevate NPower Canada's mission and build a work and life skills program that is unique to Canada.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Tangible outcomes.</strong> You will be rewarded personally and professionally as you become a part of the communities we are raising up. What we offer is transformative, and each of us has a chance to see and hear the direct impact we have on the lives of the youth we serve.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Are you ready to make an impact with us?</strong></p> <p>At NPower Canada, we understand that not everyone acquires their skills and experience the traditional way. If you feel you can make a difference to our team and the communities we serve, and you have 70% of the qualifications listed here, please express your interest. We promise to consider your application.</p> <p><strong>NPower, Canada is an Equal Opportunity Employer.</strong></p> <p>NPower Canada will make every effort to accommodate any needs of candidates through the hiring process, under the Human Rights Code. Please inform us if you require any accommodation through the hiring process.</p>