Workforce & Economic Mobility Director (56309)

At YSS we believe a job can be more than a paycheck. Meaningful employment can build confidence create stability strengthen connections and open the door to a future a young person may not have imagined for themselves.

The Director of Workforce & Economic Mobility will lead the development of that future.

This position provides strategic leadership for YSSs workforce development career readiness and economic mobility initiativescreating pathways that connect youth young adults and families to education training employment career advancement and financial stability.

Youll bring together programs people employers educators workforce systems and community partners to create opportunities that are practical innovative and built for the real-world barriers many of the young people we serve face.

This is a role for a buildersomeone who sees possibilities connects the dots and knows that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is help someone see a future they didnt think was possible.

What Youll Do...

Workforce Strategy & Program Leadership

• Develop and lead an organization-wide workforce and economic mobility strategy aligned with YSSs mission and strategic priorities.
• Build a continuum of workforce opportunities that supports participants from career exploration and workforce readiness through education training credential attainment employment and career advancement.
• Integrate workforce development into existing YSS programs and service models.
• Develop innovative approaches that address barriers to employment including housing instability homelessness recovery mental health and system involvement.
• Identify emerging workforce trends industries and opportunities that can expand career options for YSS participants.

Economic Mobility & Career Pathways

• Develop career pathways that promote long-term employment financial stability and economic independence.
• Connect participants to internships apprenticeships work-based learning job shadowing training credentialing and employment opportunities.
• Help participants build the skills confidence professional relationships and experience needed to enter and advance in the workforce.
• Partner with YSS programs to connect participants with education training employment and economic mobility resources.
• Ensure workforce initiatives are strengths-based trauma-informed accessible and responsive to participant needs.

Organizational Collaboration & Partnerships

• Collaborate with YSS program leaders to identify workforce needs opportunities and gaps across the organization.
• Provide leadership coaching accountability and professional development to build a strong workforce development team.
• Supervise workforce development staff coordinators peer mentors interns and future program personnel
• Serve as a strategic resource to leadership on workforce development and economic mobility.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with employers workforce boards educational institutions training providers community organizations and philanthropic partners.
• Create employer engagement strategies that expand access to internships apprenticeships work-based learning career exploration and employment pipelines.
• Coordinate across programs and departments to create a cohesive organization-wide approach to workforce development.
• Represent YSS in community and regional workforce initiatives.

Lived Experience Workforce Development

• Develop and oversee pathways that support former YSS participants in pursuing employment within YSS and related human service fields.
• Create opportunities for individuals to progress from participant to peer mentor workforce participant staff member and future leader.
• Establish training mentoring supervision and professional development supports for individuals entering the workforce through lived experience pathways.
• Partner with YSS programs to meaningfully incorporate youth voice and lived experience into program development and service delivery.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen YSSs workforce and organizational culture through lived experience.

Program Evaluation & Sustainability

• Establish measurable goals outcomes and performance indicators for workforce and economic mobility initiatives.
• Develop systems to track participant engagement training completion credentials earned employment placement retention and wage growth.
• Use data participant feedback and community insight to evaluate effectiveness and continuously improve programming.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities aligned with workforce development youth opportunity housing stability and economic mobility.
• Partner with grants and development teams on proposals reporting and funder communications.
• Develop sustainable funding strategies that support the growth and long-term success of workforce initiatives.
• Prepare regular reports and presentations for executive leadership funders and community partners.
• Communicate program impact through meaningful data and the experiences of the people served.

This is not a complete list of the responsibilities of this position. Duties may change at any time.

This role isnt simply about helping someone find a job. Its about creating the connections skills opportunities and systems that help people build a life they can be proud ofand a future they can sustain.

Who You Are...

Youre a strategic thinker a relationship builder and a builder of possibilities. You see workforce development as more than getting someone a jobyou see it as a pathway to confidence stability purpose and a future with more choices.

Youre energized by creating something new connecting people and resources and turning big ideas into practical opportunities. You can think strategically while staying grounded in the day-to-day realitiesof the people and programs you serve.

What We Provide...

We invest in peoplebecause when you thrive so do the communities we serve. At YSS youll find meaningful work strong support and benefits designed for real life.

Supportive Culture & Work Environment

• Supportive leadership team and mission-driven culture
• Flexibility and autonomy in a collaborative environment
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees

Health & Wellness Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance
• Voluntary dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Supplemental accident critical illness and hospital indemnity insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) / Health Savings Account (HSA) options
• Flu shots and mental health support resources

Time Off & Work-Life Balance

• Generous paid time off (4 weeks PTO)
• Paid holidays including a birthday holiday
• Volunteer time off

Financial & Retirement Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Supplemental compensation award
• 403(b) retirement savings plan

Professional & Career Support

• Professional liability insurance coverage
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualified employer

We want to create a world where youth are valued and empowered to stand strong. To do this we ask our staff to embrace YSS core values - Commitment Collaboration Compassion Innovation Integrity and a Can Do Spirit.

Required Qualifications - MUST HAVES:

• Bachelors degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five years of progressive leadership experience in workforce development youth services behavioral health housing education or related human services.
• Experience developing programs building partnerships and turning strategies into action.
• Experience using data and outcomes to evaluate programs and guide decisions.
• Demonstrated experience addressing barriers to employment and economic mobility.n.

Preferred Qualifications- SHOULD HAVES:

• Masters degree in a related field.
• Experience with WIOA TANF youth employment peer support recovery-oriented systems of care or other workforce and economic mobility initiatives.
• Experience developing employer partnerships internships apprenticeships or other work-based learning opportunities.
• Experience with grant-funded programs grant development or sustainable funding strategies.
• Experience incorporating lived experience or peer voice into workforce or human services programming.
• Knowledge of local and regional workforce systems educational institutions training providers and employer degree in human services or related field.

Skills That Will Get You NOTICED:

• Strategic thinking Sees the big picture and turns ideas into action.
• Relationship building Builds trust and creates meaningful partnerships across diverse groups.
• Collaboration Brings people together and works effectively across teams and systems.
• Communication Communicates clearly listens well and builds shared understanding.
• Innovation Curious creative and willing to challenge traditional approaches.
• Adaptability Comfortable navigating change ambiguity and evolving priorities.
• Initiative Takes ownership follows through and keeps things moving.
• Equity & empathy Approaches people and systems with curiosity respect and a strengths-based mindset.

TheIDEALCandidate

• Is rooted in purpose and driven by equity inclusion and positive social impact.
• Brings humility respect and cultural awareness to every interaction.
• Speaks a second language (especially one spoken in our communities).

We Celebrate Your Story...

Have you navigated recovery from addiction mental health challenges trauma or housing instabilityYour lived experience offers a unique compassionate perspective that can inspire real change. By sharing your story and serving as a role model or mentor you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of youth and families.Your journey matters. If youre ready to use it to uplift and empower others we warmly encourage you to apply.

Who We Are...

Were YSSone of Iowas largest and longest-standing nonprofits dedicated to putting kids first. Our mission is simple but powerful: spark hope create opportunity and help young people thrive.

• From life-changing programs to a new 50-acre recovery campus were expanding fast and thinking big. Learn more at .
• We value the unique backgrounds identities and experiences each team member brings. As an Equal Opportunity Employer were committed to building a respectful inclusive and supportive workplace where everyone can grow and succeed.
• YSS is a nicotine-free workplace.

Stay Connected...

We communicate with applicants viaemail- straight from our Paycom system address: .Please check your inbox regularly (and your spam/junk folder just in case).If the message does end up in spam/junk make sure to add to your list of safe may also send you texts if you give us that permission when you apply. Questions Reach us anytime at

Our Hiring Process - Heres What to Expect...

• Apply Submit your application at We review your skills and experience
• Interview Phone video or in-person conversation
• References Well connect with 3 professional references
• Screening Background check driving record check and license verification if required
• Offer If its a match youll receive a formal offer through Paycom