Career and Independent Living Manager

About LYRIC

Founded in 1988, the Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center (LYRIC) is a nationally recognized leader in youth-led social change. We partner with over 2,000 LGBTQQ+ youth annually to build community, nurture healing, and foster long-term stability through education, career development, wellness, and leadership programs.

LYRIC's vision is rooted in equity, liberation, and joy-especially for trans, nonbinary, Black, Brown, disabled, and system-impacted youth navigating structural barriers. With a $4M annual budget and a multigenerational, multicultural staff of 20+, LYRIC continues to create affirming spaces that center youth voice, safety, and power.

About This Role

We're hiring a Career and Independent Living Manager to lead LYRIC's youth internship, workforce readiness, and independent living programming. This position is central to LYRIC's Education & Career portfolio-supporting LGBTQQ+ youth in developing the skills and confidence to thrive personally and professionally.

You'll oversee a growing network of programs across LYRIC sites that support job readiness, life skills, financial literacy, housing stability, and long-term independence. A key focus of your role will be ensuring that youth gain real-world, on-the-job experience through placement with trusted partner sites. You'll also supervise staff, build cross-site strategies, and develop youth-centered systems that uplift leadership and success beyond our programs.

START DATE FOR THIS POSITION WILL BE MID MARCH 2026

What You'll Do
Career & Independent Living Program Management

Design and lead comprehensive youth-centered programs in career readiness, life skills, financial literacy, housing navigation, and daily living essentials.

Develop and scale independent living curricula and supports across all LYRIC program sites.

Ensure youth are placed at partner worksites for paid internships and job shadowing opportunities that provide meaningful, on-the-job experience.

Deliver internship placements, career coaching, and life navigation services that meet the holistic needs of LGBTQQ+ youth.

Conduct youth needs assessments and use findings to shape cross-site program strategies.

Ensure all programming meets or exceeds contract requirements and organizational quality standards.

Supervision & Team Development

Supervise and support a staff member delivering internship and independent living programming.

Provide coaching, performance feedback, and development planning with clarity and accountability.

Foster a culture of equity, healing, and transparency within your team and across program spaces.

Cross-Site Collaboration & Systems Engagement

Lead the development of independent living systems at all LYRIC program sites, ensuring consistency and responsiveness to youth needs.

Build and maintain relationships with partner employers and internship sites, co-creating placement experiences that affirm youth identity and foster long-term success.

Partner with city departments, funders, and community organizations to expand access to employment and life stability supports.

Advocate for culturally relevant, equity-centered approaches to youth workforce and life planning services across sectors.

Program Evaluation & Fiscal Oversight

Track and evaluate program data and youth outcomes using LYRIC's tools and methods.

Develop and manage your program's budget, ensuring compliance and accuracy in expenditures and staff allocations.

Align staff time, program goals, and financial resources to ensure maximum impact and sustainability.

Organizational Leadership

Contribute to organization-wide leadership by participating in staff meetings and cross-department initiatives.

Support organization-wide youth engagement strategies and pitch in as needed across departments.

Who You Are

• A career and youth development leader with 3+ years of experience designing and managing programming.
• Skilled in developing life skills and independent living supports, including financial literacy, housing navigation, and wellness planning.
• Experienced in career readiness programming, 1:1 youth coaching, and internship or workforce pipeline development.
• Passionate about work-based learning and committed to ensuring youth gain real-world experience at affirming partner sites.
• An inclusive and equity-driven supervisor and coach who builds trust, sets clear expectations, and supports growth.
• Familiar with SF/Bay Area youth services and systems, especially for LGBTQQ+, BIPOC, or system-impacted youth.
• Deeply rooted in frameworks of harm reduction, youth-adult partnership, trauma-informed care, and healing justice.
• A committed collaborator who's worked with schools, city departments, or community-based programs.
• Organized and tech-savvy, with strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Zoom, and data reporting tools.

Compensation & Benefits

Annual Salary: $76,550 (non-negotiable under LYRIC's equity-based compensation model)

Benefits Include:

• $800/year Health & Wellness Cash Supplement
• $1,000/year for external professional development
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and acupuncture/chiropractic
• Optional Health FSA and commuter benefits
• 403(b) retirement plan with up to 4% employer match

Time Off:

• 19 paid holidays (including your birthday and a winter break)
• 19 vacation days
• 18 sick days
• 1 personal day
• Critical incident, bereavement, and jury duty leave

Why LYRIC?
Lead one of the Bay Area's few youth-led programs focused on career readiness and independent living for LGBTQQ+ youth. Create real-world job experiences that prepare youth not just for employment, but for liberation and long-term stability. Work in a values-driven organization where youth voice, power, and safety are centered every day.

How to Apply

Submit your resume and a brief cover letter through our application portal.
No phone calls or email inquiries, please.
START DATE FOR THIS POSITION WILL BE MID MARCH 2026

Equal Opportunity Statement

LYRIC is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS, and system-impacted individuals. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we welcome applications from people with arrest and conviction histories.

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