Statewide Director of MA Young Women

Location – Chelsea (in person, with ability to travel to other sites as needed)

Classification – Exempt

About Roca

Roca’s mission is to be a relentless force in disrupting incarceration, poverty, and racism by partnering with young adults, the police, and systems at the center of urban violence to create safety, address trauma, and find hope. Roca is a fast-paced, data-driven, and relentless organization that annually serves 1,800 young people at the center of urban violence – the young people most likely to shoot or be shot. Founded just outside of Boston in 1988, Roca operates a nationally acclaimed Intervention Model with five sites in Massachusetts, one in Hartford, CT and one in Baltimore, Maryland. Complementing our direct service work, the Roca Impact Institute is the coaching arm of our work that scales Roca’s work to cities across the U.S. that are seeking proven approaches to community violence intervention.

Roca’s approach is rooted in understanding brain development, neuroplasticity, and the impact of trauma on the brain. Roca’s Intervention Model engages this population of very high-risk young adults in an intensive three-year program to address trauma, teach life-saving cognitive-behavioral skills, and break the cycle of incarceration and poverty that traditional youth programs alone cannot break. Roca also helps institutions like police and state agencies change the way they work with young people who are traumatized and living at the intersection of gangs, drugs, poverty, violence, and involvement with multiple public systems.

Roca is in a period of tremendous growth as we continue to expand our direct service work, lead policy and system change initiatives in Massachusetts, Maryland and Connecticut, and increase our national footprint through the Roca Impact Institute.

Position Overview

The Statewide Director of MA Young Women (Director) will report to Executive Vice President of Women & 2Gen (EVP) and provide key supports in the areas of operations, administration, and partner/resource development. The ideal candidate must have the experience, skills, and knowledge necessary to manage a complex program and lead teams effectively. S/he must be able to demonstrate the ability to effectively monitor and support program and staff performance, analyze and submit data and reports, and effectively represent the program through written and oral communication. S/he will have existing, working knowledge of working with young women impacted by violence and relevant systems including child welfare and criminal justice.

Under the supervision of the EVP, the Director will oversee program operations, provide grant and contract management, cultivate and manage relationships with key partners/stakeholders, support the development of strategic communication efforts, and assist in developing and achieving strategic goals that further growth and sustainability of the Young Women’s Program in Massachusetts.

The Director supervises Assistant Directors of the Eastern and Western MA Young Women’s Programs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee program operations, including staff hiring and development, monitoring of program implementation and outcomes, documentation and oversight of crisis management and safety.
• Provide supervision and coaching to Assistant Directors and support them in implementing staff development efforts including supervision, onboarding, weekly team meetings, trainings, and performance reviews.
• Assist in communications efforts including preparation of written documents and presentations and representing the Young Women’s Program. Participate in internal and external meetings, site visits, and other events.
• Oversee grant and contract reports and deliverables for the MA Young Women’s Programs and assist in the cultivation and writing of new grant opportunities.
• Manage relationships with key systems partners and the local and state level, including but not limited to the Department of Children & Families (DCF), Probation, courts, Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), women’s jails, law enforcement, and other relevant entities.
• Participate in relevant regional and state working groups and collaboratives, and monitor/support participation of Assistant Directors in local collaborative efforts.
• Assist with the cultivation of new strategic partners and funders for the Young Women’s Program, and represent the EVP in meetings with partners, legislators, and funders as needed.
• Work collaboratively with other Directors and members of the leadership team.

Other duties as directed, and required by emerging and unexpected challenges, and organizational changes.

Qualifications, Skills, and Knowledge Requirements

• B.A./B.S. or 7-10 years of relevant experience, including 5 years of relevant experience in program management, youth services, or a related field with a focus working with young women and/or systems-involved populations.
• Proven ability to cultivate and manage partnerships with a range of stakeholders, including 3 years of knowledge or experience with child welfare and/or criminal justice systems, including understanding of relevant policies and practices. Experience working with key state and local agencies in MA such as DCF, courts, probation, DA, and/or law enforcement preferred.
• Proven track record of managing teams and providing staff development and coaching.
• Strong experience in grant management and writing including working with both government and private funders.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent writing, verbal and interpersonal communication skills including ability to work in highly collaborative work environment.
• Must be detail-oriented, organized, and deadline driven, and able to function well in a fast-paced environment and multitask effectively with ability to take initiative to get information needed to accomplish work objectives.
• Technically skilled; extremely proficient in PC applications, including Microsoft Office, e-mail, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe.
• Must be highly flexible, able to adapt to changing conditions and requirements, problem-solve, and use sound judgment to complete work assignments and resolve issues.
• Demonstrated interest and passion in Roca’s mission to help high-risk young people move out of violence and poverty.
• A strong commitment to the mission and values of the organization, particularly in supporting young women in vulnerable situations.
• Ability to travel across the state of MA as needed.