Chief of Career Readiness & Pathways (Volunteer)

Mentor A Promise is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth (ages 5–18) experiencing housing instability, grounded in the belief that every child is a Promise—full of potential, dignity, and possibility. We deliver consistent, high-quality programming across mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression in shelters, schools, and community spaces, creating structured environments where students can grow, be seen, and build lasting skills. Through signature experiences like The Imagination Studio, The Kitchen Table, The Sound Lab, and The Story Space, we nurture academic development, emotional well-being, and creative voice, all within a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessibility-centered framework. Our work prioritizes dignity-protective storytelling, consent-driven engagement, and deep community partnership, ensuring that how we serve is as intentional as whom we serve. We are not only addressing immediate needs - we are building pathways to confidence, belonging, and long-term opportunity, so every child has the support and foundation to carry their promise forward.

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Description

Chief of Career Readiness & Pathways (Volunteer)

PromiseRise Division

Organization Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Reports To CEO / Executive Director

Location Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Type Volunteer

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a NYC-based nonprofit serving children, youth, young adults, and families experiencing housing instability through mentorship, education, workforce pathways, creative expression, and community-based programs. MAP is committed to expanding access to opportunity beyond traditional classrooms—supporting adolescents, young adults, and parents as they prepare for careers, economic mobility, and long-term stability.

About The PromiseRise Division

The PromiseRise Division leads MAP’s pathway-focused programming for older students, young adults, and parents, including internships, summer programs, career readiness, workforce preparation, alternative education, and skill-building workshops. PromiseRise bridges education and employment, supporting participants as they transition into postsecondary education, careers, and sustainable livelihoods.

Role Overview

The Chief of Career Readiness & Pathways is the senior leader responsible for leading the PromiseRise Division and setting MAP’s organization-wide strategy for career readiness, internships, summer programs, alternative education, workshops, and pathway development. This role oversees programs designed to support older students, young adults, and parents in navigating education-to-career transitions.

The Chief of Career Readiness & Pathways serves as a strategic partner to the CEO / Executive Director and collaborates closely with PromiseLearning, PromiseHousing, Promise of Giving, Partnerships, and Content & Storytelling leadership to ensure PromiseRise initiatives are integrated, accessible, and mission-aligned.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and steward the PromiseRise Division and its strategic direction
• Set and execute MAP’s organization-wide strategy for
• Career readiness and workforce preparation
• Internships and experiential learning
• Summer programs
• Alternative education and nontraditional learning models
• Skills-based workshops and career exploration
• Oversee PromiseRise programming for older students, young adults, and parents
• Ensure programs are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessible
• Align PromiseRise initiatives with education, mentoring, housing, and family support efforts
• Partner with Development and Partnerships to cultivate employer, training, and funder relationships
• Collaborate with Data and Evaluation teams to assess outcomes and continuously improve programming
• Support and guide staff and volunteers delivering PromiseRise programs
• Advise executive leadership on pathway strategy, risks, and long-term planning
  

Qualifications

• Senior experience in workforce development, career readiness, education pathways, or program leadership
• Strong understanding of internships, workforce preparation, and alternative education models
• Experience designing or overseeing programs for adolescents, young adults, or families
• Ability to align pathway programming with mission and community needs
• Strong leadership, communication, and systems-thinking skills
• Alignment with MAP’s mission and dignity-centered values
  
  

Preferred Skills

• Experience in nonprofit, workforce development, or education organizations
• Familiarity with employer partnerships, training providers, or postsecondary pathways
• Experience working with individuals experiencing housing or economic instability
• Experience leading cross-functional or multi-program initiatives
• Background in youth, young adult, or family-serving programs
  
  

Commitment

• Volunteer executive leadership role
• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
• Fully remote with optional NYC-based collaboration
  
  

What You’ll Gain

• Executive-level leadership experience leading a division focused on career readiness and pathways
• Direct influence on programs supporting economic mobility for youth, young adults, and families
• Collaboration with senior leadership and cross-division partners
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• The opportunity to build dignified, opportunity-centered pathways at scale
  
  

How To Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist, please add resume and cover letter.

Help lead PromiseRise—creating pathways that connect learning, work, and stability for youth, young adults, and families.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.