Teens, Youth, & Family Program Director

YMCA OF METROPOLITAN LOS ANGELES

The LA Y is the Center for Community Well-Being in Los Angeles, committed to building stronger communities by providing equitable programs and services to empower all. We are focused on fighting food insecurity, providing equity in education, making sure every child has the opportunity to experience the joy of sports, ensuring kids and teens have a safe place to grow, learn and live a healthy lifestyle. The LA Y’s health and wellness initiatives offer medical and mental health resources to ensure everyone has access to basic health needs. Our mission is to provide services and resources that contribute to the well-being of our community. The LA Y operates 29 Centers and over 200 program sites across LA County.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Teens, Youth & Family Director is responsible for the leadership, development, operation, and growth of assigned youth development programs, including teen, youth, family engagement, leadership development, enrichment, recreation, camps, special events, after-school and enrichment programs.

Responsibilities include program quality, member engagement, fiscal management, staff and volunteer development, community partnerships, marketing, safety and risk management, and strategic planning.

The Director ensures that all programs provide a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and asset-based environment that supports youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility while advancing the YMCA's mission. The position serves as a member of the Branch Leadership Team and collaborates with branch leadership to achieve annual operating goals, strengthen community relationships, and increase member engagement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PROGRAM OPERATIONS & MEMBER ENGAGEMENT

• Direct the daily operations and strategic growth of assigned Teen, Youth, and Family programs including, but not limited to:
  • Teen Center Programs
  • Get Summer
  • Youth & Government
  • Model United Nations
  • Youth Classes
  • Resident Camp
  • Leadership Development Programs
  • After-school Enrichment
  • Enrichment programs
  • Child Activity Center
  • Family Events
  • Other youth and family initiatives as assigned.
• Develop and implement annual operating plans that achieve enrollment, retention, participation, and revenue goals.
• Ensure all programs provide safe, welcoming, inclusive, child-centered, and asset-based experiences aligned with YMCA standards.
• Develop and maintain a year-round calendar of youth, teen, and family programming that responds to community needs.
• Regularly evaluate programs through participant feedback, outcomes measurements, and quality assessments.
• Visit program sites regularly to monitor quality, compliance, safety, and staff performance.
• Ensure facilities, equipment, and program spaces are clean, safe, and properly maintained.
• Foster meaningful relationships with youth, teens, families, and members to improve engagement and retention.
• Work collaboratively with Membership, Sports, Child Care, Camp, and Healthy Living departments to provide seamless member experiences.

STAFF LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT

• Recruit, hire, onboard, supervise, coach, and evaluate program staff and volunteers.
• Conduct regular staff meetings, one-on-one coaching sessions, and professional development opportunities.
• Ensure all staff maintain required certifications and complete mandatory trainings.
• Promote employee engagement, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Develop emerging leaders through mentoring and leadership opportunities.
• Maintain staffing levels that ensure quality programming and excellent member service.

FISCAL MANAGEMENT

• Develop and manage annual operating budgets for assigned departments.
• Monitor monthly financial performance including revenue, expenses, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Recommend pricing strategies and new revenue opportunities.
• Manage grants, contracts, sponsorships, and required reporting as assigned.
• Support branch fundraising initiatives including the Community Support Campaign, special events, and donor cultivation.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & MARKETING

• Develop annual marketing and outreach plans to increase awareness and participation.
• Build collaborative partnerships with schools, community organizations, municipalities, businesses, and youth-serving agencies.
• Represent the YMCA through community meetings, outreach events, committees, and collaborative initiatives.
• Develop volunteer leadership opportunities that engage families and community members.
• Ensure timely communication of schedules, events, program changes, and promotional materials.

RISK MANAGEMENT & SAFETY

• Ensure compliance with YMCA policies, licensing requirements, safety standards, and risk management procedures.
• Conduct documented safety inspections and site visits.
• Investigate incidents, complete required documentation, and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain emergency procedures and ensure staff are properly trained.

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

• Participate as a member of the Branch Leadership Team.
• Assist in developing annual operating plans and strategic priorities.
• Analyze community demographics and trends to identify opportunities for new programs and services.
• Lead innovation and continuous improvement efforts within assigned departments.
• Support branch-wide initiatives and collaborative projects.

VOLUNTEER & BOARD DEVELOPMENT

• Recruit, train, supervise, and recognize volunteers.
• Support branch committees and advisory groups as assigned.
• Develop meaningful volunteer opportunities that strengthen member engagement and community ownership.

YMCA RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attend staff meetings and training as required.
• Uphold YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting and risk management.
• Demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Respect, Responsibility, Caring and Fairness) as well as the YMCA Core Values of Caring, Respect, Honesty and Responsibility, in all dealings with members, guests, volunteers and fellow staff.
• Demonstrate competencies in and willingness to develop in the Cause Driven Leadership areas of mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness and personal growth.
• All other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

YMCA LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

The Y’s Leadership Competency Model is comprised of multiple leadership competencies (leadership knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for success in the Y), organized by the four disciplines of cause driven leadership:

• Advancing Our Mission & Cause: Provide visionary leadership to the organization and ensure that all resources are mobilized to adapt to new challenges and needs in the community.
  • Competencies Include: Change Leadership, Engaging Community, Philanthropy, & Volunteerism
• Building Relationships: Connect people to the Y’s cause by developing inclusive relationships, partnerships and collaborations so that Ys can co-create solutions to pressing social needs.
  • Competencies Include: Collaboration, Communication & Influence, Inclusion
• Leading Operations: ensure relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability of the organization so that we can continue to fulfill our promise to the community.
  • Competencies Include: Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Fiscal Management, Functional Expertise, Innovation, Program/Project Management
• Developing & Inspiring Others: support the holistic development of self and others so that everyone can embrace the Y’s cause, sustain the Y’s culture, and inspire others to take individual and collective action to further our impact.
  • Competencies Include: Developing Self & Others, Emotional Maturity

While all competencies are significant the following are critical to success in this position:

• Change Leadership
• Collaboration
• Functional Expertise
• Developing Self & Others

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• AGE:
  • 21 years or older
• EDUCATION:  
  • High School Diploma or GED required.
  • Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Education, Child Development, Human Services, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• RELATED EXPERIENCE:  
  • Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in youth development, teen programming, family programming, recreation, or community programs.
  • Two or more years of supervisory experience.
  • Experience managing budgets and multiple program areas preferred.
• SPECIALIZED SKILLS:
  • Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
  • Experience with program development, budgeting, staff supervision, and community partnerships.
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and youth development.
• CERTIFICATIONS:
  • YMCA Team Leader Certification preferred.
  • YMCA-approved CPR/First Aid/AED certification (or obtain within 60 days).
  • Other certifications as required by assigned program areas.

• WORK ENVIRONMENT/MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Frequently lift, carry, push, and pull materials weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors.
• Evening, weekend, and occasional overnight work may be required for programs and special events.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and actively participate in youth and family activities.
• You must have the physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Req# 4261

Salary : $70,300