Youth Development & Support Manager

Youth Development & Support Manager

Organization: Heart of the City (HOTC)

Department: Youth Development & Support (YDS)

Reports To: Director of Youth Development & Support

Schedule: Full-time (typically 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM); evenings and some weekends are required based on programming, events, and seasonal needs

Position Summary

Heart of the City (HOTC) is seeking a passionate, youth-centered professional to serve as a Youth Development & Support Manager. This full-time role will primarily support programming for elementary through early middle school student athletes (grades K–7), while also contributing to high school programming and enrichment opportunities.

This position focuses on Social Emotional Learning (SEL), health and wellness, youth leadership, family engagement, and positive youth development through sport. This person will work closely with the Director of Youth Development & Support to implement curriculum, support coaches, facilitate programming, and build strong relationships with youth and families.

This role requires a Spanish-speaking professional who can effectively communicate with both student athletes and families, many of whom are Spanish-speaking, to ensure strong engagement and program success.

Key Responsibilities

Youth Development & Programming

• Facilitate SEL programming across HOTC academic, grassroots, and soccer programs, primarily serving grades K–7.
• Implement and support the Soccer for Success curriculum (U.S. Soccer Foundation), which integrates social-emotional learning, health, and wellness into sports-based youth development.
• Work alongside coaches to train, model, and co-deliver curriculum, ensuring consistent and high-quality implementation with student-athletes.
• Support youth leadership and development programming that builds confidence, accountability, and life skills.

College, Career & Enrichment Experiences

• Plan and coordinate enrichment opportunities including college visits, career exploration trips, field trips, and community-based learning experiences.
• Attend and lead select trips throughout the year to support logistics, student engagement, and safety.
• Be a representative of Heart of the City values with corporate and business partners during workshops, activities, and trips.

Family Engagement

• Develop, plan, and facilitate meaningful family engagement events, workshops, and activities throughout the year.
• Strengthen relationships with families to build trust, participation, and a strong sense of community.

Volunteer Coordination

• Lead and manage meaningful volunteer opportunities for HOTC student athletes, with a focus on high school scholarship recipients.
• Create structured opportunities that build leadership, service, and community engagement.

Relationship Building & Data Management

• Build strong, supportive relationships with youth and families.
• Maintain relationships with current community partners and help build new nonprofit, social service, and corporate partnerships.
• Maintain accurate participant records and enter program data into case management systems.
• Support program evaluation, tracking outcomes and impact.

Travel & Site Support

• Provide programming support across multiple HOTC sites, including (but not limited to):
• Waukegan
• Highwood/Highland Park
• Zion
• Beach Park
• Gurnee
• North Chicago
• Additional sites as the program expands
• Frequent local travel is required; candidates must be comfortable working across multiple communities.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Psychology, Youth Development, Human Services, or a related field
• Experience working with elementary and/or middle school youth, preferably in underserved communities
• Fluency in Spanish and English (required), ability to communicate with youth and families, facilitate programming, and translate when needed
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and organizational skills
• Experience facilitating youth programs or group activities
• Ability to relate to youth while maintaining high expectations and accountability
• Comfortable using data systems and technology
• Reliable transportation and willingness to travel regularly between program sites

Preferred

• Experience with Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programming
• Experience with sports-based youth development, especially soccer
• Experience with curriculum implementation or adaptation

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking someone who is:

• Passionate about youth development and educational equity
• Relationship-driven, adaptable, and proactive
• Excited to work with youth during critical developmental years
• Eager to learn and grow within an expanding department
• Committed to building strong family and community connections
• Ready to support youth relentlessly while holding them to high standards

Our Commitment

At Heart of the City, we believe every young person deserves access to opportunity, support, and pathways to success. We are looking for a team member who shares this belief and is ready to help our youth thrive both on and off the field.