Vice President of Teen Experience

Under the direction of the SVP of Community Well-Being & Impact, the Vice President (VP) of Teen Experience will lead the development and implementation of impactful strategies to engage middle and high school students across YMCA programs and memberships. This role is responsible for designing initiatives that support career and college readiness, workforce development, mentorship, and overall teen engagement.

The VP will collaborate closely with YMCA centers, volunteers, and community partners—including My Brother's Keeper, YUSA, CMS (local school systems), and other institutions—to ensure programs are aligned with national strategies and emerging community needs. This role requires a visionary leader passionate about empowering teens while ensuring operational excellence, sustainable growth, and measurable impact.

Culture Statement:

The culture of the Y is rooted in our Christian mission and core values. We strive every day to collectively embody our purpose of serving as a catalyst to transform lives and communities through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. We are respectful – we treat each other and those we serve as we hope to be treated ourselves. We are caring – we show a sincere concern for others and their well-being. We are honest – we are truthful in what we say and what we do, and we do not make promises we do not intend to keep. We are responsible – we are good stewards of our resources, strive for excellence and our actions are accountable to those we serve. We are innovative – we harness creativity, are solution minded and forward thinking. We lead with faith.

Essential Functions:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive teen engagement strategy aligned with the YMCA's mission, focusing on career readiness, mental wellness, achievement gaps, and family engagement.
• Lead the implementation of national initiatives, including YUSA’s Boys and Young Men of Color, My Brother’s Keeper, and the Opportunity Task Force recommendations.
• Oversee the design and standardization of teen programs centered on career readiness, mentorship, internships, and workforce development.
• Ensure teen programs meet national criteria and quality standards, achieving outcomes in mental wellness, academic achievement, and life skills.

Team Leadership

• Provide leadership and support to YMCA center teams to deliver high-quality teen programs.
• Develop and implement an association-wide strategy for teen employees, ensuring consistency in engagement and development.
• Establish a teen advisory board to provide input and leadership opportunities for participants.

Program Development and Management

• Oversee middle and high school initiatives, including partnerships with local school systems (e.g., CMS).
• Monitor program outcomes and maintain records to evaluate effectiveness and impact.
• Develop standards for meaningful experiences for teens as members, ensuring accessibility and value.

Community Engagement and Collaborations

• Build and foster partnerships with schools, nonprofits, community leaders, and businesses to expand resources and opportunities for teens.
• Collaborate with community organizations to address gaps and enhance program outcomes.

Operational Excellence

• Manage program budgets, ensuring financial resources align with strategic goals and program growth.
• Support funding development through grants, sponsorships, and community partnerships, while leading marketing efforts to elevate teen programming visibility.
• Performs other duties and tasks as assigned by leadership

Required Qualifications:

• 4-year college degree in education or human services related field, equivalent experience may substitute for a degree if proficiency in a related field is demonstrated.
• 10 or more years or more of proven administrative experience in working with teens in a multi-site platform. Proven experience to include: strategy development, budget development and management; staffing; collaborative experience working with schools; outcome measurement and successful work community alignment/initiatives
• Five to seven years of multi-/cross-functional team experience preferred.
• Excellent planning and tracking skills with attention to details, capable of managing multiple projects in parallel, well-organized, excellent time management with respect to priorities and self-management and the ability to motivate and develop staff and teenagers.
• Solid interpersonal and public relations skills – including image, attitude, and demeanor; and the ability to relate to members, volunteers, external partners, and YMCA branch staff in the utmost professional manner.
• Proven ability to have initiative, good judgment, and ability to make decisions independently.
• Proven strategic ability to develop short and long-term plans with a high degree of quality, effectiveness, and professionalism.
• Ability to design, implement, and benchmark systems and procedures for effective broad based management and execution.
• Must possess excellent writing skills to independently compose correspondence.
• Must have ability to understand YMCA policies, procedures and evaluation.
• All YMCA team members are expected to maintain a current and active status for all safety, risk, and programming certifications defined by the YMCA of Greater Charlotte. 

Working Conditions:

• Ability to work in excess of a 40-hour week with irregular work hours.
• Ability to walk, stand, and sit (including on the floor), while maintaining alertness for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to lift and carry supplies weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Position may require bending, leaning, kneeling, and walking.
• Ability to speak concisely and effectively communicate.
• Ability to view/enter data for long periods of time.

Competencies:

INNOVATION: Creates and implements new and relevant approaches and activities that improve and expand the Y’s work and impact in the community

CHANGE LEADERSHIP: Facilitates, co-creates, and implements equitable change for the good of the organization and/or community.

INCLUSION: Values all people for their unique talents, and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence.

DEVELOPING SELF & OTHERS: Develops self and supports others (e.g., staff, volunteers, members, program participants), both formally and informally, to achieve their highest potential.