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Program Manager – Youth Innovation
The Business & Education Partnership of Waterloo Region (BEP) is a charity dedicated to helping youth better understand and prepare for the world of work so that they can build their own paths to successful careers. We do this by creating career exploration, skill development, and networking opportunities between students in grades 7 to 12 and members of the local workforce. By guiding youth to make informed decisions about their future, we contribute to a happy, healthy community.
We are currently hiring a Program Manager – Youth Innovation to lead a range of educational activities, including our:
Innovation, Creativity & Entrepreneurship Challenges program, which provides grade 11- 12 students with opportunities to apply design thinking skills to problems facing local businesses and community organizations.
Youth Creativity Fund program, an initiative to inspire creative confidence among local grade 5-12 students by providing micro-grants to youth-led projects.
Innovation, Creativity & Entrepreneurship (ICE) Challenges
● Recruit local employers or community groups with appropriate challenge areas to participate as community partners – assist with developing challenge statements as needed.
● Schedule ICE Challenges in collaboration with local school board partners (planning for up to 10 in each school year with approximately 50 student participants at each one).
● Coordinate logistics for event location including software for virtual events and in-person venues such as schools, community partner sites or third-party locations.
● Plan the facilitation of events (both in-person and virtual versions) and prepare community partners, staff and volunteers to effectively contribute.
● Design the program and program materials using previous years’ materials combined with participant and community partner feedback.
● Facilitate events and/or coordinate with third-parties to facilitate, including introducing participants to design thinking skills and providing them with opportunities to practice applying those skills to the problem being presented.
● Collect feedback from participants and community partners and use it to inform ongoing improvements to program design and delivery.
● Prepare relevant funding applications in collaboration with the Executive Director. ● Prioritize the most effective use of available program budget to achieve goals and participate in annual organizational budgeting process.
● Report results to school board partners and other stakeholders.
Youth Creativity Fund (YCF)
● Attract applications from local grade 5-12 students, especially high-priority demographics such as youth who are newcomers, have a disability, and/or identify as part of racialized communities.
● Develop and deliver presentations, workshops and other promotional material to support outreach to schools and other youth-serving organizations.
● Support youth in completing applications including answering questions and proactively following up when needed.
● Provide mentorship opportunities to successful applicants through a mentorship program including the design of this program, staff mentorship, connecting applicants to sector-specific mentors and other mentorship opportunities as identified.
● Coordinate the Program Committee including onboarding new members, scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, facilitating review of applications and other agenda items, taking meeting notes, and updating the terms of reference for the fund.
● Communicate funding decisions and feedback to applicants and secure necessary agreements to disburse microgrant funds.
● Secure reporting and feedback from program participants.
● Organize and execute one or more events annually to celebrate the learning of YCF participants.
● Coordinate involvement from donors and other stakeholders.
● Report results to donors and other stakeholders.
● Oversee ongoing fundraising efforts through events, data collection, participating in meetings with prospective donors, stewardship activities and preparation of relevant funding applications in collaboration with the Executive Director.
● Track available funding for the program.
● Run the student ambassador program including recruitment, training, program design and facilitation.
● Lead ongoing improvements to program design and processes.
● Prioritize the most effective use of available program budget to achieve goals and participate in the annual organizational budgeting process.
Other
● As we are a grant-funded organization there may be opportunities to manage staff, co-op students or interns depending on the outcome of current and future grant applications.
● Support other organizational priorities, which could include facilitating or providing logistical support at other events or workshops, developing new programming in cooperation with industry partners, or other activities in line with your strengths and interests.
Required Qualifications
● Ability to independently plan, prioritize and manage tasks and projects including events and associated logistics.
● Knowledge of design thinking/creative processes/entrepreneurial mindsets, at a level sufficient to teach this content to youth.
● Teaching and facilitation skills necessary to lead energetic, positive and high-quality learning experiences for youth.
● Communication and coaching skills including the ability to provide supportive, non judgmental feedback to young adults, individually and in group settings.
● Ability to build collaborative relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including individual youth participants, volunteers, community partners and donors.
● A high degree of patience, tact and problem-solving skills.
● Strong written and verbal English language skills.
● Proficiency or ability to quickly become proficient with relevant IT tools including Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and database software.
● Clear Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening.
● Ability to travel occasionally within the Region of Waterloo for events and meetings.
Helpful assets
● Personal interest in making a difference in the lives of young people, especially as it relates to the development of their creative skills and confidence.
● Experience working in a non-profit or charity.
● Knowledge of career development, especially relating to youth.
● Familiarity with the Ontario K-12 education system, especially in the Region of Waterloo.
● Existing professional network in the Region of Waterloo.
● Familiarity with software such as Salesforce NPSP, FormAssembly, Zoom Conferencing, and Eventbrite.
● Comfortable speaking and presenting to groups.
● Content creation skills including graphic design and videography.
Terms of Employment
Start Date: Late July or early August
Hours of Work: 35 hours/week during business hours, with occasional flexibility required for evening events (e.g. average 1 per month).
Compensation: $25 – $30/hour (commensurate with experience), along with paid sick days, 2 weeks’ paid vacation, and additional paid days off during the 2-week winter school break.
Work location: In-person attendance will be required at events and meetings across the Region of Waterloo; otherwise staff can choose to work remotely or at our office location as they prefer and as needed to best carry out their responsibilities.
We offer a flexible environment, the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people and strive to provide annual cost-of-living increases to all staff. To apply to join our tight-knit team, send a cover letter and resume no later than Monday, June 24, 2024 to [email protected]. While we appreciate all applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
- Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all steps of the selection process. Please contact [email protected] or 226-642-0880 x.7.