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OVERVIEW:
Reporting to the Senior Director of Central Program Delivery, the Director, Simulation and Innovation Programs will lead and support all responsibilities for the Simulated Internship Program, supporting graduates who do not convert to internships by designing, implementing, and tracking simulated work experiences that build job readiness and enhance professional skillsets. The Director will require strong coaching, influence and cross-functional collaboration skills.  She or he will bring strategic leadership, creativity, and a coaching mindset to guide this high-impact team – including individuals with dotted-line reporting relationships – in preparing students for full-time employment opportunities. 

The ideal candidate will bring proven team leadership and career services experience, alongside a strong understanding of workforce readiness programming. They will possess flexibility, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to engage and influence a variety of internal and external stakeholders—including employer partners, community-based organizations, and simulation platform providers. A deep knowledge of the Year Up United model and a track record of thriving in dynamic, evolving environments are essential. The ideal candidate will be comfortable managing multiple concurrent projects while building high-quality relationships and fostering innovation.

Success in this role requires strategic thinking, program design expertise, and a passion for innovation in career development. The Director must be resourceful, forward-thinking, and able to lead a team through piloting and scaling impactful simulation-based experiences. They will foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement, holding themselves and others accountable to high standards of excellence.

In keeping with Year Up’s values, the Director of Career Innovation and Simulation Programs will engage with students as coach, program lead, and advocate, helping sustain a supportive and equitable learning environment across all touchpoints.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning & Leadership

• Design and lead simulation-based career readiness programming for non-converted internships aligned to Year Up’s mission and outcome metrics
• Collaborate cross-divisionally to develop scalable solutions that integrate simulated work experiences with career coaching
• Identify, track, and evaluate key performance indicators (KPIs) for simulation program effectiveness and job readiness impact
• Ensure accurate tracking of graduate outcomes and employment milestones in Salesforce
• Partner with stakeholders (e.g., YUPRO Placement, employer partners, Learning Excellence) to ensure seamless delivery of simulation and placement initiatives
• Conduct program retrospectives to document best practices, assess impact, and inform future strategy

Team Management

• Recruit, supervise, coach, and retain a high-performing team delivering simulation experiences and coaching services
• Guide team in professional responsibilities, prioritization, and time/resource management
• Facilitate professional development plans in collaboration with team members and relevant leaders
• Foster a collaborative and innovative team culture with a focus on continuous improvement
• Motivate and inspire the team to meet performance goals and lead with mission-driven purpose

Career Pathway Program Team Member

• Participate in cross-functional meetings and lead simulation-related projects
• Provide insights and feedback on simulation tools, coaching strategies, and curriculum integration
• Evaluate existing tools and programming to support replication, innovation, and scale
• Take on ad hoc responsibilities to support programmatic and organizational goals

Year Up Citizen

• Model and promote Year Up’s values in all interactions
• Support organization-wide initiatives that enhance student outcomes and program growth
• Serve as student advisor/mentor and contribute to Learning Communities at local sites

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 6–7 years of relevant work experience, including 2+ years in a leadership role
• Proven success in managing workforce development, career services, or simulation-based learning programs
• Strong understanding of career coaching and best practices in job seeker engagement
• Experience leveraging technology to support coaching and virtual programming
• Demonstrated ability to scale new initiatives and evaluate outcomes
• Skilled in project management, stakeholder communications, and strategic implementation
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Strong change management abilities with a track record of effective adaptation
• Passion for innovation, problem-solving, and continuous improvement
• Ability to plan and lead processes that enable programmatic growth and impact
• Commitment to working with opportunity youth and closing the Opportunity Divide
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint; Salesforce experience is a plus
• Dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• A professional and resourceful style with the ability to work independently and is comfortable in a close-knit team-oriented setting
• A passion for working with young adults, an unshakable belief in their potential and a strong commitment to the mission of Year Up United

• Internal Salary Band 8

To view the pay ranges associated with this band in your location, refer to the Regional Salary Structure.

• Salary Range: $90,000 - $125,000

#LI-Hybrid

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Year Up United has established salary ranges for each of our sites, which allows us to pay employees competitively, equitably and consistently in different geographic markets. For roles in which the location is listed as flexible, the range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Salary offers take into account a candidate’s skills, experience, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.

• Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare options and dental coverage; 401(k) match for eligible participants.

• Vacation: Earn three weeks paid vacation in first year of employment; four weeks after initial year.

• Professional Development: Funds available to support staff in achieving career objectives ($2,500 per year)

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

Year Up United is a national 501(c)3 workforce development organization committed to ensuring equitable access to economic opportunity, education, and justice for all young adults—no matter their background, income, or zip code. Employers face a growing need for talent while millions of talented young adults lack access to meaningful careers. These inequities only further perpetuate the opportunity gap that exists in our country—a gap that Year Up United is determined and positioned to close through three interconnected strategies: providing targeted skills training and connections to livable-wage employment for students and alumni; empowering others to serve and support young adults, and changing systems that perpetuate the opportunity gap. Year Up United’s intensive training program utilizes a high expectations, high support model where students learn in-demand technical and professional skills and apply them during a corporate internship. Year Up United has directly served more than 40,000 young adults since its founding in 2000. Year Up United's nationwide presence includes Arizona, Austin, Bay Area, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Greater Atlanta, Greater Boston, Greater Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, the National Capital Region, New York City/Jersey City, Pittsburgh, Puget Sound, Rhode Island, South Florida, Tampa Bay, and Wilmington.

Voted one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For in the country by The NonProfit Times, Year Up United is a rewarding and impactful place to work. Our staff is passionate, supportive, mission-driven, and committed to positive change and continuous learning. We set high standards for both ourselves and our students and live by a set of core values that reflect an unshakable belief in the talent and potential of our young people. The work we do is life-changing, and we know that our team is the greatest asset in achieving our mission.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:

Year Up United embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discharge, or discipline, are based on meritocracy. We do not permit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws. Learn more about our commitment to diversity: http://www.yearup.org/about-us/careers/commitment-to-diversity/

Year Up United is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Your recruiter can provide details regarding the expected work environment and any physical requirements. Please let our hiring team know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume through our website.

Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered. We respectfully request no phone calls.