Principal Coordinator, Middle School Programs

PRINCIPAL COORDINATOR, MIDDLE SCHOOL SUCCESS

Why This Work Matters

For more than 55 years, Philadelphia Academies, Inc. (PAI) has connected young people in Philadelphia to real pathways for postsecondary success, career mobility, and economic opportunity.

Founded in 1969, PAI partners with schools, employers, labor unions, higher education institutions, and the School District of Philadelphia to ensure students, particularly Black and Brown students across the city, have access to career-connected learning experiences that change life trajectories.

Under new executive leadership, PAI has entered a significant period of growth and transformation. The organization has expanded its footprint to its largest in history, strengthened its financial position, launched five registered pre-apprenticeship pathways, and deepened its role as a citywide leader in workforce development and student success.

Today, PAI is proud to be:

• The only youth-serving organization in Pennsylvania operating five registered pre-apprenticeship programs for in-school high school students
• A lead partner in Philadelphia’s nationally recognized Ninth Grade Success Network
• A growing force in middle grades career-connected learning and early pathway development
• A trusted intermediary between schools, industry, labor, philanthropy, and government

This is a moment of momentum. We are building the next generation of career-connected learning systems in Philadelphia—and we are looking for leaders ready to help shape that future.

The Programs You Will Lead

The Principal Coordinator of Middle School Programs will lead the implementation of PAI’s innovative middle grades extended school day program focused on STEM exploration, mentorship, career awareness, and violence prevention through engagement, with additional in-school support for career connected learning, during the actual school day, at the same school site.

The extended day (after-school) program is designed to serve middle school students during the critical after-school hours between 3:00–6:00 PM, a time widely recognized as a peak window for youth victimization and disengagement. Through hands-on STEM learning, mentorship, career-connected experiences, and structured after-school programming, students will gain exposure to pathways in technology and innovation while building social-emotional skills, confidence, and future readiness.

The program will utilize Woz ED STEM Career Pathway Kits focused on robotics, animation, engineering, and drones, alongside guest speakers, career panels, project-based learning experiences, mentorship, and family/community celebration events.

This position will serve as the lead implementation coordinator for the extended day program housed at one partner middle school while also supporting career-connected learning workshops, student experiences, and implementation support at the actual school site and partner schools.

The Opportunity

The Principal Coordinator of Middle Grades Extended Day & Career-Connected Learning is a school-facing leadership role responsible for ensuring the successful implementation, coordination, and day-to-day management of PAI’s middle grades extended day programming and in-school Career-Connected Learning (CCL) initiatives at the identified school.

This individual will build strong relationships with school leadership, students, families, and community partners while creating engaging, culturally responsive, and high-impact experiences for middle school students.

Reporting to the Manager, Middle School Programs, this role is ideal for someone who thrives in youth-centered environments, understands middle school development, and believes deeply in the power of exposure, mentorship, and opportunity.

What You Will Own

You will be directly accountable for:

• Successful implementation of PAI’s middle grades extended school day program
• Enthusiastically serve as the Team Leader of the extended school day staff of 4-5 part time instructors
• Student engagement, participation, and program culture
• Coordination of daily after-school operations and enrichment activities
• Building strong relationships with school leaders, teachers, students, and families
• Career-connected learning and workshop implementation across partner schools
• Coordination of STEM programming, guest speakers, field experiences, and community partnerships
• Student recruitment, attendance tracking, and family engagement
• Data collection, reporting, and continuous improvement efforts
• Supporting safe, engaging, and structured after-school environments for students

What Leadership Looks Like Here

Program Implementation & Student Engagement

• Lead the day-to-day implementation of the extended school day program for students in grades 6–8
• Facilitate engaging, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate programming focused on STEM exploration, career awareness, and social-emotional development
• Support daily student check-ins, mentorship structures, and enrichment activities
• Create a positive and affirming student culture that promotes belonging, engagement, and accountability
• Coordinate quarterly celebration events, student showcases, and family engagement activities

Career-Connected Learning (CCL) Leadership

• Serve as a Career-Connected Learning coach at the program’s base-site middle school
• Support the planning and facilitation of CCL workshops at the school site
• Help students connect career interests to high school pathways, postsecondary opportunities, and future careers
• Support the coordination of high school selection with school guidance counselor(s)
• Coordinate career exposure opportunities including guest speakers, panels, high school & college visits, and industry experiences
• Build partnerships with employers, higher education institutions, and community organizations to enhance student learning experiences

School & Partner Collaboration

• Build strong relationships with principals, counselors, teachers, and school-based staff
• Serve as a trusted school partner and ambassador for PAI’s middle grades work
• Collaborate closely with PAI’s middle grades team to align programming, student supports, and implementation strategy
• Communicate regularly with families regarding student participation, attendance, and opportunities

Operations, Data, & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain strong systems for attendance tracking, student participation, and program documentation
• Support data collection efforts including surveys, student reflections, and program outcomes
• Monitor student engagement and identify intervention supports when needed
• Ensure programming aligns with grant requirements, organizational expectations, and school-site needs

Who Will Thrive in This Role

The ideal candidate is energetic, relationship-driven, organized, and deeply committed to youth development and educational equity. You understand that middle school students require structure, encouragement, mentorship, consistency, and engaging experiences that help them imagine a different future for themselves.

You bring:

• Experience leading or implementing youth programs in schools or community settings, particularly urban settings
• Strong understanding of middle school development and adolescent engagement
• Experience facilitating group activities, workshops, or enrichment programming for youth
• Knowledge of Career-Connected Learning, workforce development, STEM education, or college/career readiness
• Demonstrated relationship-building skills with students, families, and school staff
• The ability to create culturally responsive and affirming learning environments
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities across school sites
• A belief in the brilliance and potential of Black and Brown students in Philadelphia

What You Bring

Required

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 3–5 years of experience in education, youth development, after-school programming, workforce development, or nonprofit programming
• Experience working directly with middle school-aged students
• Experience implementing school-based or community-based youth programs
• Strong facilitation, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Experience coordinating events, workshops, or student engagement activities
• Ability to work collaboratively with school leaders, families, and community partners
• Commitment to educational equity and positive youth development

Preferred

• Experience with Career-Connected Learning (CCL), STEM programming, workforce development, or college/career readiness initiatives
• Experience working in urban school settings
• Familiarity with Philadelphia schools and communities
• Experience with project-based learning or after-school programming models
• Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Compensation & Benefits

PAI offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience and qualifications. The range for this position begins at $60K. Benefits include health coverage, generous paid time off, hybrid schedule flexibility, retirement contributions, and the opportunity to help shape one of Philadelphia’s emerging middle grades career-connected learning initiatives.

How to Join Us

Interested candidates should apply directly through the Philadelphia Academies, Inc. website.

Please submit:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Your cover letter should help us understand your experience working with middle school students, your approach to youth engagement and program implementation, and why this work matters to you.