Director, Integrated Youth Services

OUR ORGANIZATION:

Youth Solutions, Inc. is a part of the Kinexus Group family of organizations. Kinexus Group, recognized as one of Nonprofit Times 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Best Nonprofits to Work For, is a cutting-edge community development organization with growing initiatives to create an economically thriving Michigan. We are change agents who create solutions for business, workforce, and community challenges to promote economic vitality.  

THE TEAM:

Youth Solutions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to providing Michigan’s youth the support and experiences that prepare them for their futures. Youth Solutions aims to ensure every youth in Michigan has access to career-focused education.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Director of Integrated Youth Services serves as a key leader in advancing high-impact, career-connected youth programming across Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties—and in supporting system-wide alignment across Michigan.

This role ensures that youth have access to and engage in meaningful experiences that lead to postsecondary success and long-term economic self-sufficiency. The Director provides leadership at both the regional and statewide levels by developing, implementing, and sharing best practices; aligning services and policies across partners; and supporting consistent, high-quality delivery of youth programming through all 16 Michigan Works! agencies.

By fostering strong collaboration among internal teams, employers, educators, and community-based organizations, the Director helps build an integrated youth workforce development system that supports young people from middle school through graduation and into employment or further education.

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU:

As Director of Integrated Youth Services, you will lead both regional program execution and statewide coordination to strengthen workforce development services for youth across Michigan. This role requires systems-level leadership to design and implement collaborative initiatives that align services, policies, and practices across education, workforce, and community partners, ensuring youth receive coordinated, high-impact support from middle school through postsecondary transition.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Leadership and Alignment

• Oversee youth workforce and career development programming for both in-school and out-of-school youth in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties, leveraging Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) as the foundational model.
• Ensure effective delivery of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth services and collaborate with the Manager of Program Success to provide a seamless continuum of support from middle school through postsecondary transition.
• Coordinate with Michigan Works! leadership, schools, including the Bridge Academy, and community organizations to align services with workforce needs and ensure youth receive consistent, high-quality support.
• Work with Kinexus Group departments to maximize operational efficiencies and effectiveness.

Partnerships and Pathways Access

• Engage employers, training providers, and postsecondary institutions to expand access to real-world learning experiences, career pathways, and employment opportunities.
• Ensure youth are aware of and able to access the full range of Michigan Works! services. Promote informed career decision-making and increase access to both traditional and non-traditional training options, including apprenticeships, short-term credentials, and work-based learning.

Statewide Coordination and Best Practices

• Serve as a statewide resource to other Michigan Works! agencies by developing, curating, and sharing best practices, toolkits, and training materials.
• Facilitate peer learning and alignment to ensure consistency and quality across the network of youth providers.

Performance, Compliance, and Fund Development

• Lead all aspects of youth programs with responsibility for budgets, performance monitoring, and compliance with federal, state, and organizational policies.
• Maintain accurate documentation and reporting in collaboration with internal teams, such as policy and quality assurance.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities to enhance and expand youth programming, coordinating efforts with the larger Kinexus Group, ensuring continuity of services.

Continuous Improvement and Impact

• Use performance data and stakeholder feedback to drive continuous improvement in youth programming.
• Support local and statewide teams in using data to inform decision-making and meet or exceed performance benchmarks.

Team Management and External Engagement

• Recruit, train, and support a high-performing team of youth specialists, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and growth.
• Represent Youth Solutions and Michigan Works! across local, regional, and state platforms through public speaking, partnership development, and strategic advocacy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in education, workforce development, public administration, organizational leadership, or a related field; or equivalent combination of relevant experience and training.
• At least three (3) years of experience in youth-focused workforce development, education, or career readiness programming.
• At least five (5) years of experience leading cross-functional teams, departments, or projects with a demonstrated ability to achieve measurable results.
• Proven experience managing grant-funded initiatives, including budgeting, compliance, and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative partnerships across multiple sectors, including education and workforce.
• Strong understanding of career pathway models, postsecondary transitions, and youth development strategies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong project management skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other digital tools used for program and data management.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a demonstrated ability to support and serve youth from all backgrounds.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strategic leadership experience at the regional or statewide level, particularly in youth programming or systems alignment.
• Knowledge of WIOA Youth, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG), or similar youth workforce development frameworks.
• Experience designing or implementing cross-agency or cross-sector collaboration initiatives.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  

• Flexible and open 
• Weekly travel within Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties, frequent statewide travel with overnight stays required at times 
• Competitive salary and benefits  
• Endless opportunities for growth  

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US: 

• Robust onboarding experience to integrate you into our team.  
• “Team of Teams” training in support of the organizational strategies.  
• Job training and development to ensure you are established and growing in your role.  
• Cross operational meetings with your peers.  
• Be a part of transformational change in Southwest Michigan and beyond. 

We have a unique culture that requires us to be BOLD, INSPIRATIONAL, ENTREPRENEURIAL and INCLUSIVE.   We spend more waking hours with each other than we do with family or friends, so finding someone that adds to our culture is extremely important.   It is our goal to inspire positive economic change one person, one business and one community at a time. 

Kinexus Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids, reasonable accommodations and or services are available upon request for individuals with disabilities. Michigan Relay Center: 711 Voice and TDD. Kinexus is a partner of American Job Centers.