Managing Director for Program and Field Services

PURPOSE: The Managing Director for Program and Field Services is responsible for overseeing implementation of key programmatic work undertaken by the Forum. Major responsibilities include project management, product development, field services delivery and development of program staff and consultants. This position plays a critical leadership role within the organization, helping to shape strategy, manage staff, and develop key external relationships, as well as being heavily involved in the fundraising activities of the organization. Reporting directly to the Chief Program Officer, this Managing Director will work as part of a program management team that includes a Director of Field Services and a Director of Special Projects.

Organization

The Forum for Youth Investment is a nonprofit, nonpartisan "action tank" dedicated to helping communities and the nation make sure all young people are Ready by 21®: ready for college, work and life. Informed by rigorous research and practical experience, the Forum forges innovative ideas, strategies and partnerships to strengthen solutions for young people and those who care about them. A trusted resource for policy makers, advocates, researchers and program professionals, the Forum provides youth and adult leaders with the information, connections and tools they need to create greater opportunities and outcomes for young people.

Ready by 21 is the core work of the Forum and is done in collaboration with national partners representing the education, government, nonprofit, business and community philanthropy sectors. The partners have identified concrete ways to collaborate to challenge and support their members and affiliates in states and communities across the country. Ready by 21 National Partners include United Way Worldwide, American Association of School Administrators, and Corporate Voices for Working Families.

The Forum is rapidly growing, with an annual budget of approximately $7 million and more than 40 staff. The Forum is funded largely by foundations and corporations with a growing fee-for-service contract base. The Managing Director for Program and Field Services will play an important role in the Forum’s continued growth. For more information, please visit www.forumfyi.org.

Position

The primary duties of the Managing Director for Program and Field Services include:

Management (scope of work development, internal project management and multisite project management, staff development/management)

1. Lead the implementation of major projects. Be responsible for oversight and management of multi-site cohorts. This includes project management, technical assistance, maintaining regular communications and managing the cohort as a learning community. Work to be coordinated with other internal units and members of the Ready by 21 National Partnership. Participate in the design, implementation, tracking and analysis of new projects that support Ready by 21 strategies and solutions.

2. Oversee the implementation of short-term commitments and projects undertaken by the Program Team relating to Ready by 21. This includes working closely with intake staff for development of new fee for service contracts. Involves working with clients to develop scopes of work, processing contracts and following the contractual process through to conclusion of work (final reports and payments).

3. Manage program team staff, including regular meetings, professional development, performance reviews, and relevant HR matters. Serve as mentor and coach in the development of the skills, knowledge and capacity of Ready by 21 program staff and consultants.

Writing and Product Development

1. Be responsible for development of Ready by 21 publications and training materials, including drafting, writing, editing, and field testing.

2. Liaise with the Communications Team to ensure consistency of the organization’s mission and message.

3. Provide leadership and management of the formulation, development and packaging of the intellectual capital of the Forum and Ready by 21 (products and services development).

Field Services Delivery

Provide training, technical assistance and coaching on Ready by 21 content and Forum related tools and materials to leaders or leadership groups in a variety of settings and jurisdictions at the community and state level. This includes tasks such as conducting interviews, facilitating meetings and event, and developing strategic plans or recommendations. Also includes full documentation of technical assistance provided and results achieved.

External Representation

Represent the Forum to prospective clients, funders, network members and broader audiences.

Fund Development

Actively and aggressively engage in the development activities of the organization, including development of new funding sources, proposal and grant report writing, and relationship management with corporate, foundation, and governmental organizations.

Evaluation and Documentation

Provide input to Ready by 21 evaluation goals and procedures and to support evaluation documentation and processes as they relate to program and field services. Participate in the review of evaluation results and a continuous improvement process.

Performance/Character Requirements

Must adhere to high quality standards. Must customarily and regularly exercise independent judgment, assume responsibility and work under minimum supervision. Ability to identify and establish priorities, attend to all details in a professional manner and make important job-related decisions.

Qualifications

**EDUCATIONAL/SKILLS REQUIREMENTS**

The successful candidate will have at least ten years of experience with youth programs, youth policy, and youth development theory and will have demonstrated ability in developing and facilitating learning strategies for diverse audiences. Strong working knowledge of networks and resources related to child and youth development in the United States is highly desirable. Experience in managing relationships and internal work teams is a must.

Academic credentials in a subject area related to children and youth programming are desirable. Excellent facilitation, research, analytic, and written communication skills are a must. Experience in project management and product development is essential.

This person should be creative, organized, and have excellent communications and interpersonal skills. This person must also be able to work as a team player in a high-energy environment with many simultaneous projects.

REQUIRED:

• Passion for the Forum’s mission and for improving the lives of young people through positive youth development and education reform;

• At least ten years experience in business development, strategic planning or systems management fields combined with strong knowledge base of child and youth development;

• Have content expertise in youth development and in a related youth services system or area (education, juvenile justice, recreation etc.), in community development and/or strategic planning.

• Excellent writing skills, particularly related to the development of training and facilitation materials and case studies.

• Excellent communications, facilitation and interpersonal skills;

• Strong computer skills;

• Strong organizational and project management skills;

• Attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple projects towards firm deadlines;

• Ability to develop creative solutions, individually and as part of a group;

• High level of motivation.

Working Environment

Flexibility is required to adapt to the dynamic work environment of a small but growing nonprofit “think tank” that has national clients and exposure. The climate is informal but mission-driven. Excellence is valued in every position.

Position & Compensation

Salaries at the Forum are competitive with comparable nonprofit organizations in the region and will be based upon experience and expertise. Salary range, duties and responsibilities of this position meet the requirements of Section 13 (a) (1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act and therefore qualifies this as an "exempt" position.