Director of Teen Engagement

Title: Director of Teen Engagement

Location: Office is located at  3691 Willowcreek Drive, Suite 200 Portage, IN 46368 Travel will be required to all clubs in Lake and Porter County 

Position Summary

The Teen Engagement Director provides strategic and operational leadership for teen programming across multiple Clubs, ensuring that teens in grades 6-12 are meaningfully engaged, retained, and supported in developing the skills, experiences, and relationships needed for future success.

This role supervises the Best Buy Teen Tech Center as the Community-Based Organization Staff; oversees the staff in Teen Clubs; and coaches Club-based teen staff.  Leads the development of systems, frameworks, and partnerships that elevate program quality and teen experience across the organization. Grounded in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Formula for Impact and Future Ready Agenda, the Director ensures that teen programming is youth-centered, trauma-informed, outcomes-driven, and aligned with organizational priorities.

The ideal candidate brings a deep understanding of adolescent development and out-of-school-time practice, paired with the ability to think strategically, build staff capacity, and design programming that teens actively choose to attend and remain engaged in over time.

Essential Responsibilities

Teen Programming Strategy & Alignment

• Lead the development and implementation of a cohesive, multi-site teen programming strategy that integrates leadership development, workforce readiness, postsecondary planning, and positive youth development.
• Ensure all Teen programs align with BGCA’s Formula for Impact, Future Ready Agenda, organizational goals, and best practices.
• Develop program frameworks, tools, and guidance to support consistent, high-quality teen experiences while allowing for local adaptation and youth voice.
• Analyze program effectiveness and refine services to respond to teen needs, engagement trends, and organizational priorities.

Workforce Development & Career Readiness

• Oversee workforce development programming, including career exploration, job readiness, credentials, internships, mentorships, and work-based learning experiences.
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with employers, education providers, and community organizations to expand career pathways for teens.
• Support Club-based staff in integrating workforce readiness concepts into daily teen engagement and broader programming.
• Ensure workforce development efforts are equitable, accessible, and developmentally appropriate for all teens.

Career Pathways Development & Navigation

• Design and oversee clearly defined career pathways that guide teens from exploration to preparation to placement, aligned with in-demand industries and postsecondary options.
• Ensure career pathways include progressive experiences such as skill-building, credential attainment, paid and unpaid work-based learning, and exposure to real-world careers.
• Collaborate with workforce partners, educational institutions, and community stakeholders to align pathways with regional labor market trends.
• Support staff in helping teens understand and navigate their individual pathways, including goal setting, checkpoints, and transitions beyond Club participation.
• Promote long-term outcomes by strengthening alumni connections, follow-up supports, and post-program engagement related to education and employment.

Staff Supervision, Coaching & Professional Development

• Directly supervise Club-based designated teen-focused staff across multiple sites.
• Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and professional development to strengthen youth development practice and staff effectiveness.
• Facilitate learning communities and training opportunities focused on teen engagement, trauma-informed care, workforce readiness, and program quality.
• Set clear expectations and accountability standards while fostering a culture of learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Teen Recruitment, Retention & Engagement

• Lead the development of organization-wide strategies for teen recruitment, retention, and re-engagement, with attention to middle-to-high school transition points.
• Support Clubs in creating teen-centered environments that promote belonging, relevance, leadership, and voice.
• Use data and youth feedback to address barriers to participation and reduce attrition.
• Monitor attendance and engagement trends across Clubs and provide targeted coaching and support where needed.

Data, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to teen attendance, retention, program quality, workforce outcomes, and pathway progression.
• Use data to inform strategic planning, continuous improvement, and organizational decision-making.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure accurate data collection, reporting, and evaluation.
• Prepare reports and insights for senior leadership, funders, and community stakeholders as needed.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Organizational Leadership

• Partner with Operations, Program Quality, Development, and Marketing teams to align teen initiatives across the organization.
• Support grant implementation, compliance, and reporting related to teen and workforce development programming.
• Represent the organization in community partnerships, coalitions, and networks related to teen engagement and workforce readiness.
• Model organizational values and promote a mission-driven, equitable culture that centers teen voice and belonging.

Required

• At least 3 years of experience supervising staff, preferably in a multi-site or organizational role.
• Demonstrated success designing and leading teen programs that drive engagement, retention, and positive outcomes.
• Strong understanding of adolescent development, trauma-informed practice, and positive youth development.
• Experience developing or managing community and employer partnerships.
• Ability to satisfactorily pass a criminal history background check.
• Ability to satisfactorily pass a drug screen for all federally illegal substances.
• Must be authorized to work in the US.
• Must possess a Public Passenger License
• Must possess or have the ability to obtain a certification in CPR and First Aid

Preferred

• Experience within the Boys & Girls Clubs movement or similar youth-serving organizations.
• Familiarity with BGCA’s Formula for Impact, Youth Impact Framework, and Future Ready Agenda.
• Bachelor’s degree in education, youth development, social work, workforce development, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of experience working with teens in out-of-school-time, youth development, or workforce programs.
• Experience managing workforce development initiatives or grants.

Core Competencies

• Teen-Centered, Youth Voice–Driven Leadership
• Strategic Program and Career Pathway Design
• Staff Coaching and Talent Development
• Workforce Development and Employer Engagement
• Data-Informed Decision-Making
• Relationship Building and Partnership Development
• Equity, Inclusion, and Cultural Humility

What Success Looks Like

• Increased teen attendance, retention, and sustained engagement across Clubs
• Clearly defined and accessible career pathways for teens across multiple sites
• High-quality, consistent programming aligned to Future Ready outcomes
• Staff who feel supported, skilled, and confident in their work with teens
• Teens who leave the Club prepared for postsecondary education, training, and employment

Physical Requirements / Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Salary : $59,000 - $80,000