Director of Character & Leadership

RESPONSIBLE TO: Senior Director of Program Strategy & Innovation

GENERAL FUNCTION: The Director of Character & Leadership provides strategic leadership, vision, and oversight for character development, youth leadership, civic engagement, advocacy, and service initiatives across Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. This role is responsible for designing, implementing, evaluating, and continuously improving Character & Leadership programming that develops confident, responsible, engaged, and service-minded young people and aligns with organizational priorities. The Director of Character & Leadership serves as the organization's subject matter expert in youth leadership development, character development, youth voice, civic engagement, and service-learning. The position collaborates with Club Directors, program staff, community partners, schools, and internal stakeholders to ensure that Character & Leadership programming provides meaningful opportunities for youth to develop leadership skills, exercise their voice, serve their communities, and demonstrate measurable growth.

JOB SEGMENTS:

Develop and implement a comprehensive organizational strategy for Character & Leadership programming aligned with BGCBC's mission, strategic priorities, and youth development framework.
Define and communicate Character & Leadership outcomes across age groups, including ages 6-18.

Establish organizational standards, systems, and expectations for Character & Leadership programming across all Club locations.
Serve as the primary organizational advisor to senior leadership regarding youth leadership development, character development, youth voice, civic engagement, advocacy, service-learning, and emerging best practices.

Lead continuous improvement efforts to increase youth leadership outcomes, engagement, program quality, and overall program impact.
Provide strategic oversight and support for signature Character & Leadership initiatives, including Youth of the Year, Keystone Club, Torch Club, youth advocacy, community service, service-learning, and other leadership development opportunities.

Develop curriculum frameworks, program guides, facilitation resources, implementation tools, and other resources to support consistent and high-quality Character & Leadership programming.
Maintain a Character & Leadership Program Inventory and establish processes for program approval, evaluation, continuous improvement, and sustainability.

Develop and strengthen youth leadership pathways that provide progressive opportunities for youth to build skills and advance from foundational leadership experiences to organizational, community, and civic leadership.

Create systems and opportunities that elevate youth voice, youth choice, and youth-led decision-making across Club programming and organizational initiatives.

Provide guidance and assistance to Club Directors, Program Directors, and Club-based youth development professionals on Character & Leadership programming and youth leadership development.
Conduct Club observations, program walkthroughs, and quality assurance visits to monitor program effectiveness, program fidelity, and the quality of youth leadership experiences.
Utilize youth and staff feedback, participation data, program observations, and outcome measures to identify opportunities for program improvement and innovation.
Serve as a liaison, alongside the Senior Director of Program Strategy & Innovation, between BGCBC and community, civic, educational, and youth-serving stakeholders regarding Character & Leadership initiatives and partnerships.

Develop and maintain partnerships with businesses, schools, civic organizations, nonprofits, elected/community leaders, and other stakeholders to expand leadership, service, advocacy, and experiential learning opportunities for Club members.
Identify opportunities for youth to participate in community service, civic engagement, advocacy campaigns, leadership conferences, public speaking, and other real-world leadership experiences.
Provide strategic leadership and support for the organization's Youth of the Year process, including program implementation, Club-level preparation, participant development, coaching, selection processes, and organizational events.

Participate in district, state, and national meetings, committees, conferences, and collaborative initiatives related to youth leadership, character development, civic engagement, service-learning, and positive youth development.
Partner with the programs team to identify opportunities for cross-functional programming that strengthens academic success, good character & leadership, health & well-being, and life & workforce readiness.

Collaborate with the Marketing, Development, and Community Engagement teams to identify opportunities to elevate youth leadership stories, service impact, advocacy efforts, and organizational recognition of youth accomplishments.
Support grant development, reporting, and compliance activities related to Character & Leadership programming and identify opportunities to secure resources that expand youth leadership and civic engagement opportunities.
Monitor relevant national trends, research, and best practices in youth development, character development, leadership education, civic engagement, and service-learning and translate findings into innovative organizational practices.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & COMPENTENCIES

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university or equivalent experience preferred.
A minimum of five years of experience in youth development, education, leadership development, nonprofit management, community engagement, or a related field.
Experience with Boys & Girls Clubs or similar youth development organizations preferred.
Demonstrated ability in program development, implementation, assessment, continuous improvement, and staff capacity building.
Demonstrated knowledge of positive youth development, character development, leadership development, youth voice, civic engagement, and/or service-learning.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to facilitate presentations, trainings, and youth leadership experiences.
Ability to work effectively with youth, families, Club staff, community partners, schools, organizations, and the public.
Demonstrated ability to develop authentic relationships with youth and create environments that encourage youth voice, participation, leadership, and ownership.
Working knowledge of budget preparation, control, and management.
Must obtain CPR and first aid certification.
Current driver's license.
Reliable transportation to travel among the various Clubs within the BGCBC umbrella.
Data analysis, program evaluation, progress monitoring, and data-informed decision-making.
Knowledge of youth development and program management platforms, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and other technology systems used to support program implementation and data management.
Professional development, coaching, facilitation, and capacity building for staff.
Project management, process improvement, and operational planning.
Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence organizational change.
Strong partnership-building skills and the ability to cultivate relationships with community, civic, educational, and corporate stakeholders.
Sound judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, programs, events, and deadlines.
Commitment to youth leadership, civic engagement, character development, community service, and the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

High levels of energy, endurance and patience are required. Comfortable working with different personalities in an informal environment. Good reasoning abilities and sound judgement. Ability to always model appropriate behaviors. Ability to address and de-escalate crisis. Physical requirements include sight, hearing, sitting for over two hours plus per day.