Director of Capacity Building & Learning

The Youth Development Resource Center (YDRC) has partnered with Mondo Unlimited to recruit its next Director of Capacity Building & Learning, a senior leadership role that will help strengthen the youth development ecosystem across Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan.YDRC supports youth-serving organizations through capacity building, professional learning, technical assistance, leadership development, and field-wide coordination. Working with more than 200 youth-serving organizations across Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan, YDRC helps organizations improve program quality, strengthen leadership pipelines, and advance equitable opportunities for young people.YDRC serves as a convener, capacity builder, steward of shared data, and champion of equitable policy and investment. Through learning cohorts, training workshops, coaching, and continuous quality improvement, YDRC helps youth-serving organizations strengthen their internal systems, improve practice, and expand their impact.To learn more about YDRC, please visit the Youth Development Resource Center website. Candidates are also encouraged to review YDRC’s 2024-2025 Impact Report to better understand the organization’s work, reach, and impact across the youth development ecosystem.About the OpportunityThe Director of Capacity Building & Learning will lead YDRC’s strategy and implementation of capacity-building initiatives that strengthen youth-serving organizations across the region. This role will oversee professional learning programs, organizational capacity support, and leadership development opportunities designed to improve organizational effectiveness, program quality, and youth outcomes.The Director will design and manage learning initiatives that help organizations strengthen organizational systems, improve program quality practices, build leadership capacity, and better understand policy issues affecting out-of-school-time programs and youth development services. This position will also support the development of workshops, cohorts, and learning opportunities for youth-serving organizations and practitioners across Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan.The successful candidate will be an experienced facilitator, strategist, and capacity builder who can translate best practices in youth development, organizational learning, and equity-centered systems change into practical support for organizations. This role requires strong program leadership, excellent facilitation skills, and the ability to lead staff, consultants, trainers, and coaches in delivering high-quality capacity-building and professional learning opportunities.Key Leadership PrioritiesCapacity Building & Professional LearningLead the design and implementation of YDRC’s capacity-building initiatives focused on organizational development, program quality improvement, and leadership developmentFacilitate and oversee learning cohorts, workshops, and professional learning opportunities for youth development leaders and practitionersEnsure YDRC’s capacity-building initiatives reflect best practices in youth development, organizational learning, and equity-centered systems changeProgram Quality & Organizational EffectivenessSupport youth-serving organizations in improving program quality practices, youth engagement strategies, and organizational systemsIntegrate research and best practices from the youth development field into training and technical assistance offeringsIdentify capacity-building needs across youth-serving organizations to inform learning initiatives and training opportunitiesLeadership DevelopmentPartner with Program Consultants to design and implement leadership pipelines within youth-serving organizations, particularly for emerging and mid-career leadersSupport professional development and peer learning opportunities that build management quality practices across the youth development workforceFacilitate communities of practice and learning environments that support leadership growth and organizational learningAdvocacy & Policy LearningDevelop learning opportunities that strengthen understanding of policy issues affecting out-of-school-time programs and youth development systemsWork with YDRC leadership to integrate policy awareness and advocacy capacity into capacity-building initiativesSupport youth-serving organizations in understanding how local and regional policies influence program sustainability and youth access to opportunitiesWorkshop Design & Training DevelopmentLead a team that designs and delivers workshops and training opportunities that contribute to YDRC’s contractual opportunities and professional learning strategySupport the development of professional learning opportunities that expand YDRC’s training and capacity-building offeringsEnsure training offerings maintain high quality and relevance to the needs of youth-serving organizationsProgram Oversight & Team LeadershipSupervise program staff, consultants, trainers, and coaches supporting YDRC’s capacity-building initiativesManage program budgets, timelines, deliverables, and outcomesSupport evaluation and learning processes to continuously improve YDRC’s capacity-building workCandidate ProfileYDRC seeks a strategic, collaborative, and equity-centered leader who understands how to strengthen organizations through capacity building, professional learning, and leadership development. The ideal candidate will bring experience working with youth-serving organizations or nonprofit partners and will be skilled at designing learning opportunities that move from ideas to practice.The successful candidate will be an effective facilitator and relationship builder who can work across organizations, roles, and sectors. This individual will be comfortable leading programs, managing people and consultants, supporting complex initiatives, and helping organizations build the systems, practices, and leadership capacity needed to serve young people well.Core Experience & CapabilitiesMinimum of 7-10 years of experience in youth development, nonprofit leadership, organizational development, or a related fieldExperience designing and facilitating professional learning, leadership development, or capacity-building initiativesStrong understanding of youth development best practices and program quality standardsStrong facilitation, training, and group learning skillsExperience managing programs, consultants, trainers, coaches, or cross-sector initiativesAbility to translate research, data, and best practices into practical tools, learning experiences, and organizational supportsDemonstrated ability to manage budgets, timelines, deliverables, and program outcomesExcellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skillsPreferred Background & AttributesFamiliarity with out-of-school-time programs and the youth development ecosystem in Metro Detroit or Southeast MichiganCommitment to equity and strengthening opportunities for young people across the regionExperience supporting organizational learning, continuous quality improvement, or systems changeAbility to build trust with nonprofit leaders, practitioners, consultants, funders, and community partnersComfort working in a dynamic environment where priorities, partnerships, and learning needs may evolveStrong relationship-building skills and the ability to foster collaboration across diverse organizations and stakeholdersCompensation & StructureSalary range of $85,000-$95,000, commensurate with experienceCompetitive benefits package, including professional development and wellness benefitsFull-time position based in Metro Detroit, MichiganReports to the Executive DirectorOpportunity to help shape and strengthen the youth development ecosystem across Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan