Director of SYEP Initiatives

Commonpoint • Flushing, NY

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Commonpoint is hiring a Director of SYEP Initiatives within the Youth Employment Department. The Youth Employment department serves individuals predominantly between the ages of 14–24. SYEP provides New York City youth with summer employment and educational experiences that build on their strengths and incorporate youth development principles. The Director of SYEP Initiatives will provide leadership and oversight of Commonpoint’s Community-Based, Career Ready, Emerging Leaders SYEP, and Work, Learn & Grow (WLG) programs, ensuring high-quality implementation, achievement of program goals, and compliance with DYCD requirements. This role reports directly to the Senior Director of Youth Employment Programs. Program Directors provide programmatic and operational leadership, support and develop staff, and ensure high-quality programs and outcomes for the communities Commonpoint serves.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of five years of experience in youth workforce development, youth employment, education, or related programming, including at least three years in a supervisory or management role.
• Demonstrated experience managing government-funded programs, contracts, compliance requirements, performance targets, and deliverables; experience with DYCD-funded programs strongly preferred.
• Experience supervising, coaching, and developing managers and multi-layered teams.
• Strong program and project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple contracts, priorities, deadlines, and program cycles.
• Demonstrated ability to use data to monitor performance, identify challenges, and implement solutions.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with youth, families, employers, schools, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to navigate complex or sensitive situations professionally.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, databases, and other program-management systems.
• Demonstrated cultural competency and experience working effectively with diverse communities.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience with NYC DYCD Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) and Work, Learn & Grow (WLG).
• Experience overseeing multiple SYEP contracts or program models, including Community-Based, Career Ready, and/or Emerging Leaders.
• Experience with YEPS and DYCD program management and reporting requirements.
• Experience managing large-scale seasonal youth employment programs.
• Knowledge of New York City’s youth workforce development landscape.
• Previous experience in a Commonpoint role is a plus.
• Bilingual skills are welcome.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall programmatic and operational oversight of Community-Based, Career Ready, and Emerging Leaders SYEP, as well as Work, Learn & Grow (WLG), ensuring effective implementation across the summer and fall program cycles.
• Provide oversight, guidance, and support to the Assistant Directors assigned to each contract, ensuring program requirements, deliverables, and performance expectations are clearly understood and achieved.
• Maintain oversight of all Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) contractual obligations and ensure program targets are met on a weekly, monthly, and seasonal basis.
• Monitor performance across contracts, identify areas of concern, and work with Assistant Directors to develop and implement strategies for improvement.
• Ensure consistent systems and practices across contracts while supporting Assistant Directors in addressing the specific needs and requirements of their respective programs.
• Oversee YEPS management and ensure appropriate systems are in place for accurate documentation, payroll committal, user access, and data integrity.
• Supervise, coach, and evaluate Assistant Directors assigned to each SYEP/WLG contract, establishing clear expectations and accountability for program performance.
• Provide Assistant Directors with ongoing guidance, problem-solving support, and professional development to strengthen their leadership and management of program teams.
• Facilitate regular meetings with Assistant Directors to review performance, upcoming deliverables, staffing needs, program challenges, and priorities across contracts.
• Support Assistant Directors in developing effective work plans, staffing structures, and day-to-day operating practices.
• Promote collaboration and best-practice sharing across contracts while building a cohesive SYEP/WLG leadership team.
• Provide oversight and guidance for participant recruitment, enrollment, orientation, worksite and PBL placement, engagement, and completion across contracts.
• Provide leadership and support in troubleshooting and resolving incidents, complaints, participant concerns, worksite issues, and other program challenges, ensuring appropriate escalation, documentation, communication, and follow-up.
• Guide Assistant Directors overseeing each SYEP program offering in responding to complex or sensitive situations involving participants, families, worksites, schools, and other stakeholders.
• Oversee the Career Readiness and Learning Coordinator, providing guidance and support for the delivery of career-readiness, learning, and Project-Based Learning (PBL) initiatives.
• Oversee PBL and curriculum development and implementation across programs, ensuring DYCD-approved curricula and learning experiences are consistently delivered and provide high-quality, engaging educational and career-readiness experiences grounded in youth development principles.
• Support teams in connecting participants and families with appropriate Commonpoint and community resources when additional support is needed.
• Oversee worksite development and employer engagement strategies to ensure sufficient, high-quality employment opportunities aligned with participant and program needs.
• Support and guide the Employer Engagement Manager in cultivating and maintaining employer and worksite relationships, engaging new partners, and developing quality placement opportunities for participants.
• Oversee and support the Director, Operations & Partnerships in coordinating participants placed at Commonpoint worksites, including placement planning, communication with internal departments, and support for staff serving as worksite supervisors.
• Ensure internal worksite supervisors understand program expectations, participant supervision requirements, and available resources and supports.
• Monitor the quality of internal worksite placements and collaborate with the Director, Operations & Partnerships, Assistant Directors, and internal supervisors to address challenges, strengthen coordination, and support successful participant experiences.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with DYCD, schools, employers, community partners, participants, families, and other stakeholders.
• Support Assistant Directors in developing and maintaining partnerships specific to their contracts and program needs.
• Represent Commonpoint’s Youth Workforce programs with external partners and at agency and community events.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships and expand employment and career-development opportunities for participants.
• Review program metrics and reports across contracts to assess performance and ensure agency and funder expectations are met.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director and Assistant Directors on staffing, budgets, supplies, and resources needed for successful program implementation.
• Use program data, staff feedback, and lessons learned to strengthen systems and improve performance across SYEP/WLG.
• Implement strategic program practices with direction from the Senior Director, AVP, and executive leadership.
• Contribute to the continued growth, quality, and impact of Commonpoint’s Youth Workforce programming.

Benefits

• Tiered health, dental, and vision insurance options.
• Pension plan and 403(b) retirement savings opportunities.
• Generous paid time off and family-supportive policies.
• Professional development and education support to foster career growth.
• Recognition and appreciation programs for exemplary performance.
• Employee discounts on programs and services.
• Access to free amenities, including private seasonal pool clubs and fitness facilities at select locations.
• Long-service severance upon retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director