Associate Director of Youth Development

About More Than Words

More Than Words (MTW) is a social enterprise that empowers youth, ages 16-24, who are in the foster care system, court involved, homeless, or out of school to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business. By working as a team to manage their own retail and online used book business and community space, youth develop the employment skills, leadership, and self-confidence they need to successfully transition to adulthood.

MTW is an exemplary organization that has continually held up a mirror to identify areas for improvement and accountability; that ethic is part of the culture and fabric of MTW, and it extends to our commitment to ensuring our staff and board reflect the racial and ethnic diversity and lived experiences of the young adults we are privileged to serve. People of color are highly encouraged to apply.

The Opportunity

More Than Words (MTW) is looking for an experienced professional in youth services to lead the design and management of its youth development programs. This role involves developing programs, building partnerships with organizations and funders, managing staff, and promoting a data-driven culture to improve outcomes. The position also includes working directly with youth to support their growth in education, work, and life skills. This position reports to the Director of Youth Development and works closely with the Associate Director of Youth Development (Waltham) and Social Enterprise Leaders. Responsibilities include supervising Youth Development (YD) staff, interns, and volunteers, overseeing program development and management, and acting as a role model and resource for youth.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

Case Management and Youth Services

• Manage a caseload of 8-10 youth, coordinating with collaterals (DCF, probation, schools) and internal staff.
• Oversee Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Boston Youth Development Department, ensuring youth and staff meet program expectations, achieving SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely) goals, and progressing through models.
• Ensure Youth Development staff follow program policies, providing coaching and feedback as needed.
• Monitor daily reports to ensure timely and accurate data input, proactive case management, shift report completion, and clear communication with internal and external partners.
• Manage the youth interview pipeline, ensuring monthly targets are met and youth move efficiently through the process and into the model.
• Manage the youth performance review calendar, implementation, and the youth transition to graduation timeline, ensuring youth meet deliverables and are prepared for graduation.

Youth Development Program

• Directly supervise 2-3 Youth Development team members, holding weekly supervisions, performance management, and providing feedback.
• Collaborate with the Director of Youth Development and Associate Director of Youth Development (Waltham) to create and implement quality educational, employment, and self-efficacy programs for both sites.
• Lead day-to-day youth development programming at the Boston site, including staffing, scheduling, workshop rotations, and providing feedback on programming and youth management.
• Create and maintain structured systems for creating staffing schedules, monitoring program dashboards, and tracking youth progress throughout the program.
• Lead coaching and professional development for Youth Development staff, coordinators and interns, ensuring trauma-informed strategies are consistently applied in program delivery.
• Assist in training, coaching, scheduling, supervising, and evaluating youth development staff and interns for the Boston site.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Lead with creativity and innovation to implement new programming, solve challenges, and promote the Youth Development program model beyond the department.
• Coach the Youth Development team on best practices for communication and collaboration, across site and with partners, leading internal meetings/trainings as needed.
• Facilitate communication between Youth Development and Social Enterprise teams to align goals and support youth to successful completion of the model.
• Ensure site safety, uphold policies and protocols, and support staff (across sites) to manage crisis situations with youth, providing coaching and feedback to staff as needed.
• Build and maintain relationships with state agencies (e.g. DCF, DMH) and referral resources for youth, organizing updates, site visits, and collaborating with external partners.

Data Management

• Lead accurate and timely data reporting, using it to improve program delivery and foster a culture of continuous improvement to support youth achieving long-term outcomes.
• Lead the regular review and use of program data to help Youth Development staff strengthen their work with youth, make informed decisions, and adjust programs as needed.

Key Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years of experience working directly with high-risk youth in a youth development or education setting.
• Strong facilitation, coaching, and communication skills.
• Ability to inspire, motivate, and hold youth accountable.
• Highly organized, responsible, and flexible.
• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends.

Compensation: $70,000-$80,624; commensurate with skills and experience

Benefits:

• Medical and Dental Insurance
• 401K with up to 3.5% Employer Match
• Optional tax saving Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for health, dental, dependent care, transportation and parking
• Generous paid vacation and sick time
• Significant growth opportunities and professional development
• Employee Discounts

To apply: Please include both resume and a cover letter.

All of MTW’s sites are commuter friendly and are conveniently located near public transportation.

Background Checks:

More Than Words requires all staff, service members, volunteers, board members and youth over 18 years of age to undergo background checks. More Than Words is a CORI friendly organization and reviews CORIs on a case-by-case basis.

MTW EEO Statement:

MTW is an equal opportunity employer, fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces and encourages applicants of every background. The organization's policy regarding equal employment opportunity means that all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, benefits, wage and salary administration, scheduling, disciplinary action, and termination will be made without unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to HR@MTWyouth.org.