Career Success Coach - Launchpad

Title: Career Success Coach

Status: Full time Exempt

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Launchpad Background:

Launchpad equips Philadelphia high school students from underrepresented communities with the skills and experience needed for high-paying tech careers. Through a flexible, multi-phase program, students complete up to 2,000 hours of industry-aligned training, gain real-world experience through paid internships, earn college credits, certifications, and $18,000 in stipends, and develop the technical and professional skills essential for long-term career success in tech.

Vision: Young people thrive in an economy that works for everyone

Mission: Build accelerated pathways connecting high school students to high paying tech careers

Position Overview:

We know that the relationship between a young person and a trusting, caring adult is critical for learning and growth. Launchpad coaches are skilled facilitators and youth development specialists who support participants through one-to-one and small group facilitation, with a focus on helping young people reach their career goals and navigate the path to high-wage, high-growth opportunities. Career Success Coaches meet regularly with participants to reflect on their growth, navigate life outside of Launchpad, and build the skills needed for career success. Career Success Coaches also work with participants in small groups to facilitate future ready skill-building workshops focused on topics including building social capital, positive identity development, financial planning, collaboration, and other critical workplace readiness skills.

Launchpad is currently looking for a passionate and motivated individual to join our coaching team. The ideal Career Success Coach is deeply committed to expanding career access for young people and believes in the power of positive youth development and innovative strategies to help them navigate barriers and connect with their bright futures. On any given day, Launchpad coaches might be out in the field doing a home visit for a participant; facilitating a group workshop on written communication in the workplace; or, supporting a soon to be graduate with final revisions to their portfolio and resume in preparation for their job interviews.

What you’ll do:

Support a caseload of Launchpad students and associates with meeting key program outcomes

• Schedule and facilitate regular check-ins with young adults enrolled in the Launchpad program
• Work with participants to build motivation towards and accountability for program attendance, assignment completion, and goal setting
• Build and maintain a network of key partners that support participants with unique needs and/or interests not addressed by our core program
• Document and monitor participant progress and coaching meeting notes, providing timely and succinct updates to the full team
• Work with participants to prepare for performance review processes, reflecting on growth, project work, and key experiences
• Integrate cutting-edge AI tools into coaching to assist in career wayfinding, prepare for interviews, and build a stellar resume, portfolio, and personal brand

Plan and facilitate group coaching sessions in order to drive growth in work readiness and habits of success

• Build facilitation guides and conduct group coaching sessions centered on durable skill development, financial planning, and job searching
• Work alongside Launchpad’s partnerships team to coordinate industry exposure opportunities (e.g. mock interviews, guest speakers, workshops, community meet-ups) that provide authentic opportunities for skill development and networking for participants
• Design meaningful projects in order to build competency in key skill areas (e.g. building a budget, writing a resume, creating a LinkedIn profile)
• Evaluate project work and provide clear, actionable feedback to participants

Engage, support, and track participants during and after transitions away from Launchpad

• Follow-up regularly with program alumni who have been placed in full-time roles, equipping them with relevant resources, continuing education, and opportunities for community building with Launchpad and fellow alums
• Connect participants who transition out of Launchpad with meaningful referral opportunities for continued education and/or training suited to their needs, skill level, and career aspirations
• Conduct exit interviews with all participants who leave Launchpad, determining reasons for leaving the program and documenting next steps

Contribute to the overall success of Launchpad’s program

• Take a youth-centered, holistic approach to supporting everyone on your caseload by proactively collaborating with team members and external partners to identify gaps, remove barriers, and connect participants to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
• Support and participate in full-group programming such as community building, field trips, and industry exposure.
• Contribute youth development updates to quarterly reports, team meetings, and advisory board meetings, using data-informed reflections to surface trends, highlight progress, and offer actionable insights that strengthen interventions and support for young people.

The beliefs, mindsets, and skills you possess:

• Candidates with proven experience advising or coaching youth on career exploration, postsecondary planning, or workforce readiness are strongly preferred
• Belief that building strong and caring relationships with young people and adults is the foundation upon which a successful workforce development program is built
• Deep commitment to positive youth development and an unwavering faith in the potential of every participant
• Fundamental belief that every young person has the ability to design their own path to success in the postsecondary world and in the value that transferable skills attained through workforce training programs can offer along this pathway
• Comfort with utilizing multiple types of data to support a young person’s development
• Familiarity with or openness to learning how AI tools can enhance individualized coaching, strengthen facilitation planning, and help job seekers stand out in a competitive market.
• Adaptable to the change, iteration, and ambiguity of a startup environment
• A growth mindset, understanding that failure is the path to success
• Commitment to personal growth and continuous learning
• Willingness to contribute to a collaborative culture in a way that builds trust, challenges and supports each member of the Launchpad community
• Solid understanding of secondary education, youth development, and workforce development
• High level of self-awareness, humility, interpersonal skills, and emotional intelligence

Salary and Benefits:

• Salary: $50,000-55,000/year
• Benefits: Strong benefits package provided including health, dental, vision, and paid time off

Application Submission:

Launchpad, a fiscally sponsored organization under Building 21, is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of individuals from diverse backgrounds. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Building 21 is a non-profit organization that is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. Building 21’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of races, ethnicities, national origins, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities, beliefs, religions, faiths and ideologies, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, and levels of physical ability.

Apply online at https://www.launchpadphilly.org/careers/