Director of Community Impact

ABOUT THE NATIONAL YOUTH EMPLOYMENT COALITION

NYEC (National Youth Employment Coalition) is a national membership network representing hundreds of workforce-development organizations and tens of thousands of direct service professionals and young people. NYEC’s membership is primarily composed of direct service organizations, and includes workforce development boards and other intermediaries, research organizations, and national nonprofits. NYEC works to improve the effectiveness of all organizations that serve young people aged 14-26 who are out of school and out of work, or opportunity youth (OY). NYEC sets and promotes quality standards; tracks, crafts, and influences policy; provides and supports professional development; and builds the capacity of organizations and programs. For 46 years, NYEC has been central to the youth workforce system as a convener, policy and advocacy lead, training and technical assistance provider, and builder of youth leadership nationally. As a membership organization, we track and shape changing practices within our industry, and employers in the industry.

OUR PRINCIPLES

Our efforts are guided by principles that reflect the needs of today’s young people:

• Center Race and Gender Equity: Policies and programs must focus on race and gender explicitly, prioritize people of color for services, and be driven by people with lived experience.
• Expand Opportunities for the Most Vulnerable: Policies must prioritize youth and young adults facing the most barriers to employment, adopt performance measures that encourage serving these young people, and reflect our deeper understanding of the effects of trauma.
• Invest in Capacity Building and Local Decision-Making: Funders should provide sufficient resources to support strong local conveners or intermediaries, thriving local service ecosystems, and a healthy workforce of youth-serving professionals.
• Co-Design Solutions with Young People: Youth voice and building youth leadership are at the heart of positive youth workforce development efforts. With training, support, and compensation, young people can be invaluable contributors and co-designers of programs and policies.
• Prepare the Next Generation of Leaders: We must train and support a new generation of leaders. Additional resources are needed not only to expand services for the young people, but also to hire, train, and refine the work of the adults who deliver youth employment programming.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Community Impact leads NYEC’s national efforts to strengthen youth-serving ecosystems through community engagement, technical assistance, and applied practice. This role merges strategic field-building with hands-on implementation support, overseeing place-based initiatives like the Youth Champion Communities (YCC), coordinating Communities of Practice (CoPs), and supporting collective impact strategies across the workforce and youth development fields.

This individual will serve as a trusted partner to practitioners and systems leaders, ensuring NYEC’s initiatives reflect grassroots insights, elevate promising practices, and drive systemic change. The ideal candidate is proactive, highly organized, and passionate about youth equity and systems transformation—ready to adapt to shifting needs and help shape emerging opportunities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Engagement

• • Cultivate strong relationships with youth-serving organizations, cross-sector leaders, and national/local partners.
  • Design and lead peer learning structures, including affinity groups and CoPs, across key issue areas (e.g., foster care, justice, homelessness, youth leadership, and workforce).
  • Lead collective impact efforts to align systems and drive cross-sector collaboration.
  • Ensure community insights meaningfully inform NYEC’s strategy, resources, and collective voice.

Practice Implementation & Technical Assistance

• • Support the implementation of the Youth Champion Communities (YCC) framework, providing support to participating communities and refining tools based on feedback.
  • Deliver responsive, equity-informed technical assistance to partners advancing youth employment and systems change.
  • Design and support implementation of youth workforce programs, including apprenticeships and career pathways aligned with local systems

Project Management & Evaluation

• • Oversee multi-site projects and partnerships, including design, deliverables, and outcome measurement.
  • Balance multiple projects and priorities across shifting timelines and stakeholder needs.
  • Collaborate with internal teams to track progress, assess impact, and continuously improve.
  • Contribute to grant writing and fund development efforts to secure resources for programs, partnerships, and technical assistance initiatives.

WORK STYLE & CORE COMPETENCIES

• Adaptability: Thrives in fast-paced, evolving environments and can pivot strategies to meet emerging needs.
• Proactive Mindset: Takes initiative, identifies solutions, and follows through without close supervision.
• Self-Motivation: Passionate about the work and driven by a sense of purpose and mission alignment.
• Strong Organization: Manages complex projects with competing priorities through exceptional planning, documentation, and time management.
• Collaborative Approach: Works well with diverse partners and colleagues across virtual and cross-functional teams.
• Mission-Driven: Deep commitment to equity, systems transformation, and improving outcomes for vulnerable youth.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 5 years of project management experience in cross-sector or nonprofit contexts.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in workforce development systems or programming.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in youth development, preferably with vulnerable populations.
• Extensive experience managing teams, including providing direction, support, and accountability to achieve shared goals.
• Extensive experience managing grants, including tracking deliverables, reporting outcomes, and ensuring compliance with funder requirements.
• Proven experience in grant writing and securing funding from public and/or private sources to support programs and initiatives.
• Strong facilitation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage shifting priorities and stay organized under pressure.
• Passion for racial equity, systems change, and youth-led solutions.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to support projects and events.

Candidates with similar experiences and qualifications may be considered.

COMPENSATION

The salary range for this position will be commensurate with experience. NYEC offers a comprehensive benefits package including health and dental insurance; a 403(b)-retirement plan with employer contributions; and generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

This is a full-time, remote position with occasional travel (less than once per month) for in-person programming and meetings. NYEC values a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunity employer.