Program Director - Youth Engagement

Job Description

Job Description

Program Director – Youth Engagement

Position Summary

The Program Director for Youth Engagement is responsible for developing, managing, and expanding initiatives that empower young people to influence programs, policies, and systems that affect their lives. This position provides leadership for MCCOY's youth engagement portfolio, including the Mayor's Youth Leadership Council (MYLC), Fever Confidence, and other youth voice initiatives. The Program Director will cultivate strong relationships with youth, community leaders, elected officials, public agencies, schools, and partner organizations to ensure youth perspectives are meaningfully incorporated into decision-making processes throughout Marion County. The Program Director – Youth Engagement will collaborate closely with MCCOY staff to integrate youth voice across the organization’s work.

The ideal candidate is passionate about youth development, skilled in relationship-building, and committed to creating authentic opportunities for youth leadership and civic engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Mayor's Youth Leadership Council (MYLC)
• Fever Confidence
• Youth Voice Initiatives

The Mayor's Youth Leadership Council advises Indianapolis' Mayor and city government on issues affecting young people and helps shape strategies, policies, and initiatives that strengthen communities and improve outcomes for youth. The Program Director will be responsible for:

• Serve as the primary liaison between MCCOY and the Mayor's Office.
• Serve as the primary liaison with Pacers Sports & Entertainment and other program partners.

• Lead recruitment, outreach, application review, selection, and onboarding of each MYLC cohort.
• Design, coordinate, and facilitate monthly meetings, leadership development experiences, civic engagement opportunities, and special events.
• Develop and implement strategies to strengthen alumni engagement and networking opportunities.
• Coordinate youth participation in community events, public meetings, and leadership opportunities.
• Track program outcomes and maintain participant records.
• Lead program evaluation activities and prepare reports for funders and stakeholders.
• Support grant applications, reports, and fundraising efforts related to the program.

Fever Confidence is a leadership development program for a cohort of 15–20 senior high school women. Through experiential learning opportunities, mentoring relationships, and exposure to accomplished women leaders, participants build confidence, strengthen their mental wellness, expand their professional networks, and develop the skills necessary to lead in their schools, workplaces, and communities. The program is delivered in partnership with Pacers Sports & Entertainment and leverages connections within the Indiana Fever community to inspire and empower the next generation of women leaders.

The Program Director will be responsible for:

• Lead recruitment, selection, and onboarding of participants.
• Develop and oversee program curriculum, leadership experiences, mentoring opportunities, and special events.
• Coordinate volunteer mentors, guest speakers, and community partners.
• Develop and implement alumni engagement strategies.
• Monitor participation, outcomes, and program effectiveness.
• Prepare reports and evaluation materials for partners and funders.
• Support fundraising and sustainability efforts for the program.

Youth Voice Initiatives create meaningful opportunities for young people to share their perspectives, experiences, and ideas with community leaders, policymakers, and organizations. Through advisory councils, focus groups, listening sessions, community engagement activities, and leadership opportunities, these initiatives ensure that youth voices help inform the programs, policies, and systems that affect their lives. The goal is to move beyond simply hearing from youth to authentically engaging them as partners in shaping solutions and driving positive change throughout Marion County. The Program Director will be responsible for:

• Develop and implement strategies that elevate youth voice in community decision-making and systems change efforts.
• Create opportunities for youth to engage directly with policymakers, public officials, community leaders, and organizational decision makers.
• Facilitate youth advisory groups, listening sessions, focus groups, and other engagement activities.
• Develop tools and processes for collecting, analyzing, and communicating youth perspectives.
• Support community partners in incorporating authentic youth engagement practices into their work.
• Develop metrics and evaluation frameworks to assess the impact of youth engagement on policies, programs, and systems.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and communications highlighting youth input and resulting outcomes.
• Identify emerging opportunities to expand youth leadership and civic engagement initiatives throughout Marion County.

4. Administration and Organizational Support

• Develop and manage program budgets.
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements and organizational policies.
• Maintain accurate records and program documentation.
• Contribute to organizational planning, strategic initiatives, and team projects.
• Participate in fundraising, grant development, and stewardship activities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required ; Master's degree preferred in education, public administration, social work, youth development, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in youth development, leadership programming, education, community engagement, or a related field.
• Experience designing and facilitating programs for adolescents and young adults.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including youth, community leaders, public officials, and organizational partners.
• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills .
• Experience with program evaluation , data collection, and outcome reporting.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and authentic youth engagement .
• Ability to work evenings and weekends (when youth are available).

Desired Competencies

• Youth development and positive youth engagement practices
• Facilitation and public speaking
• Strategic relationship-building
• Program design and implementation
• Data-informed decision making
• Grant and stakeholder reporting
• Collaborative leadership
• Cultural competence and community engagement

Reports To: President

About MCCOY

MCCOY champions the positive development of youth through community and systems change. We envision a community where every child has equitable opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Through leadership development, systems coordination, workforce initiatives, and advocacy, MCCOY works to improve outcomes for young people throughout Marion County.