WOW Regional Manager

About Our Organization

Youth Guidance creates and implements school-based programs that enable children to overcome obstacles, focus on their education, and ultimately, to succeed in school and in life.  We believe that no matter what challenges a young person faces, they are more likely to succeed when they have caring adults in their lives. Our highly trained staff guides kids to overcome the life and academic challenges facing the youth. We meet kids where they are — physically and emotionally — to help them focus on their education, make positive choices, and remain on the right path toward life success.

Founded in 1924 and celebrating 100 years of impact this year, Youth Guidance is a leading provider of outcomes-driven programs serving more than 18,000 youth around the country.  For more information, visit www.youth-guidance.org. 

About You:

You have the passion and desire to work in a dynamic non-profit organization, you have the talent and skills to perform the job, and now you’re looking for just the right opportunity.  At Youth Guidance you’ll have the chance to use your passion and skills working alongside a team of talented individuals who share the same values. 

Position Summary: This position oversees planning, development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of all program activities, staff and the outcomes sought for a specific region of WOW program operations. Provides local program leadership to cultivate growth and development of new school, community, and program partnerships and leadership to team of WOW Counselors and Senior Counselors. The Regional Manager provides administrative leadership by assessing needs, making assignments, and managing programs at multiple sites where the program operates. Works collaboratively with the WOW Director to implement improvements, strengthen program and advance strategic priorities.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Collaborates with WOW Training Manager to ensure continuity of support for WOW staff and program implementation
• Maintains focus on the achievement of key program outcomes including goals for student performance, retention, and satisfaction ensuring program initiatives are on-track for desired metrics
• Assists in the coordination of school-based data collection and program evaluation initiatives. May suggest directions for research and evaluation efforts related to program
• Assumes assigned responsibilities that support the overall function of the These responsibilities may include such activities as public relations, community advocacy, public speaking, etc.
• Provides leadership in evaluation of program metrics and quality
• Maintains accurate records, prepares needed reports
• Manages projects from inputs to deliverables
• Interpret/explain conclusions & new strategies drawn from performance data to stakeholders timely

Budgeting and Fundraising 

• Collaborates with Finance to plan and manage regional program budget; monitor spending to ensure expenditures are aligned with budget scope and addresses issues that impact program goals
• Develops, negotiates, and manages contracts to meet all terms and deliverables
• Reviews grant proposals, manages grant/contract deliverables for active awards and meets reporting deadlines

Client/Stakeholder Management 

• Serves as primary liaison and communicates with school personnel, social service agencies, community groups and public officials regarding program goals and objectives
• Understands political landscape and manages relationships between government agencies, public partners, Youth Guidance departments/programs and outside vendors to ensure clear communication
• In collaboration with Marketing/Communications, responds to media inquiries and effectively communicates program goals and achievements

Supervisory Responsibilities 

• Supervises, evaluates, develops WOW Counselors and Senior Counselors
• Collaborates with HR to recruit and retain talented program staff
• Recommends hiring of new WOW Counselors, employee transfers (school to school), promotions, disciplinary actions, terminations, and overall performance management of WOW Counselors and Senior Counselors
• Supports, builds, and shares best practices for positive student
• Provides specific guidance in the areas of professional responsibilities, prioritization, time and resource allocation
• Designs and integrates professional development opportunities for program staff, working closely with direct reports and other managers to develop professional development plans
• Identify and implement strategies to ensure staff reach program goals and objectives through the interpretation, study of data, use of management plans and other mechanisms
• Provides training and technical assistance to program and school staff, as needed
• Other duties assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Education/Experience/Training

• Master’s Degree in public/non-profit administration, business, social work, human services or a related to area from an accredited university program
• Five years of work experience in the education, human service, youth development, or social service field
• Experience in program management and administration including experience managing budgets and contracts
• Two years’ experience supervising staff; one year of WOW supervision
• Current Professional licensure
• Demonstrated knowledge of advanced therapeutic concepts

Available Benefit Offerings:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Pharmacy Plans
• FSA: Medical, Dependent and Transportation/Parking Plans
• Paid Holidays, Paid Leave and Sick Leave 
• Basic Life Insurance Coverage
• Basic AD&D Coverage
• Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Employee Discount Programs
• 401k Participation
• Voluntary Benefit Plans
• You may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Skills/Abilities

• Strong analytical skills and demonstration of strong interpersonal skills that excel in cultural sensitivity, respect for differences, and effectively motivates others
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable; open to change, learning, and Willing and prepared to handle difficult situations and unforeseen tasks timely
• Demonstrated ability to be solution-focused
• Demonstrated passion and dedication to the agency’s mission
• Ability to develop and maintain positive/effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited to YG programs and Chicago Public Schools
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Products (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Core Competencies

• Communication:Uses effective written and oral communication with internal staff, teams, and community served; demonstrates empathy and listening
• Client orientation:Recognizes needs of diverse stakeholders and approaches relationships with a service orientation, to ultimately maximize the impact
• Equity mindset:Understands and is committed to goals of equity, consistently brings an equity mindset to the organization’s work and workplace
• Growth mindset:Views growth as important for personal and professional development; seeks out opportunities to expand skills, even if the change is required, demonstrates curiosity and eagerness to learn
• Ownership and quality of work:Effectively manages own work, and work of the team to ensure delivery of high-quality work
• Supervisory skills:Effectively manages and develops others
• Mission drive:Demonstrates commitment to the missing of the organization as a whole and alignment with organization values

Leadership Core Competencies 

• Continuous improvement-minded:  Takes initiative to identify and execute strategies and processes to continuously improve one’s leadership to strengthen organization’s overall impact.​
• Develops and motivates others: Motivates others and supports their development through strong coaching and mentoring. Effectively stewards self and others through both small and large scale change. ​
• External representation and relationship building: Represents the organization among external stakeholders, and builds strong, trusting relationships with stakeholders​
• Leads with vision: Has an inspiring vision for the future of the organization, beyond the status quo, and communicates it effectively; leads with courage and willingness to take risks in service of impact​
• Manages with data: Understands data; analyzes data and identifies insights and implications​
• Strategic thinking and resource management:  Considers the future of the organization proactively and responsively; weighs diverse inputs to inform strategies; identifies innovative opportunities when relevant; makes and communicates decisions that effectively balance tradeoffs between financial sustainability and impact​
• Team building: Builds strong relationships with teams and colleagues; fosters effective teams and collaborative interactions​

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This job operates in a professional office environment, school setting, and working with the public.
• Occasional local and national travel

DEIB Statement

At Youth Guidance, we understand that diversity, equity, inclusion and Belonging (DEI&B) are fundamental to realizing our vision of bright and successful futures for all young people. We celebrate the diversity of youth and staff and recognize them as empowered leaders, problem-solvers, and experts of their own experiences. At the same time, we acknowledge that many systems and institutions meant to support youth and staff are inequitable and unjust.

As such, we are committed to advancing DEIB through our words and our actions, both internally and externally, by:

• Strengthening cultural competence as well as policies, practices, and organizational structures that foster belonging and leverage the unique backgrounds and talents of staff;
• Offering youth-centered programs that are accessible and responsive to people from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, sexual identity, gender identity and expression, language, and cultural and religious beliefs and practices;
• Influencing systems that youth, their families, staff, and communities are impacted by, such as schools, organizational networks, governmental bodies, researchers, and the funding community, to apply approaches that embrace DEIB in addressing the needs and supporting the aspirations of young people and those around them.

Youth Guidance is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity, equity, inclusivity, and belonging. Youth Guidance does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law and is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity along all of these lines. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

EEO/M/F/D/V/SO