Executive Director, Becoming A Man (BAM) Program - LA

Organization Overview

Building on a proud history of serving Chicago youth for more than 95 years, Youth Guidance is a leading provider of outcomes-driven programs and capacity-building initiatives, directly serving more than 11,000 youth.

In 2001, the Becoming a Man (BAM) program was launched at Youth Guidance to help young men navigate difficult circumstances that threaten their future. The BAM program is a school-based group counseling program that guides young men in 7-12th grades to learn, internalize and practice social cognitive skills, make responsible decisions for their future, and become positive members of their school and community. BAM integrates clinical theory and practice, men’s rites of passage work, and a dynamic approach to youth engagement.

Each session is built around a lesson plan designed to develop a specific skill through stories, role-playing and group exercises. BAM students learn and practice impulse control, emotional self-regulation, recognition of social cues and interpreting intentions of others, raising aspirations for the future and developing a sense of personal responsibility and integrity. BAM has gained national attention, serving as a model for President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Initiative to support young men and boys of color. Research by the University of Chicago Crime Lab found that the program reduced violent crime arrests, weapons crime, and improved graduation rates.

Youth Guidance sees a bright and successful future for every inner-city elementary and high school student in Chicago and is excited about bringing this vision to Los Angeles. Because we believe that success in school is not only possible but should be achieved and celebrated, we are present in the schools to facilitate an environment that truly engages students in the learning process, and through careful guidance, enables them to realize their full potential and graduate with a meaningful plan for successfully managing life. Learn more at: https://www.youth-guidance.org/bam/.

Position Summary

After a careful and thorough selection process with key Los Angeles public and private stakeholders, Youth Guidance is excited to expand Becoming a Man (BAM) to Los Angeles, seeking to bring the programmatic success in Chicago to the academic and life outcomes of young men in the Los Angeles Public Schools. Youth Guidance is currently seeking a dynamic and passionate leader to spearhead this expansion, partnering with the Youth Guidance National Office and the Los Angeles BAM Advisory Council to grow BAM’s presence in Los Angeles. As leader and spokesperson for BAM in Los Angeles, the Executive Director will facilitate the launch of programming by raising funds, building brand awareness, hiring team members, and guiding a strategic vision to ensure long term sustainability in the region. Initially serving three Los Angeles Public Schools in the 20-21 school year and expanding each year to serve nine schools and nearly 500 youth by the 21-22 school year, this is an exciting opportunity to thoughtfully scale a program at the forefront of innovative youth development work.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be impassioned about the mission of Youth Guidance, the BAM program and our clients – the youth and external partners/constituents. The candidate will lead the program with a clear vision while utilizing data to make informed decisions, ensuring quality programming with a continuous improvement mindset. The candidate must have strong supervisory specifically focused on clear and succinct written and verbal communication and the ability to develop and motivate a team. Lastly, the ideal candidate must have proven experience with owning their work and tasks assigned with the ability to deliver a high-quality output under tight deadlines.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the external spokesperson for BAM with key partners in the Los Angeles Public Schools, corporations, nonprofits, philanthropic organizations and the media to increase visibility and brand awareness of the BAM program
• Proactively develop and execute strategies to increase organizational brand awareness and visibility, relentlessly pursuing partnerships that highlight the work of the organization and develop a wider community presence among funders, community members, and elected officials
• Working with the BAM Supervisor and Youth Guidance National staff, ensure the effective implementation of BAM programming across Los Angeles Public School sites, including program planning, training, implementation, and evaluation
• Recruit, manage and professionally develop the Los Angeles staff, initially consisting of the BAM Supervisor and three BAM Counselors
• Lead all Los Angeles-based fundraising activities, leveraging detailed fundraising plans to secure gifts across a wide array of revenue streams including individual donors, corporate partners, foundations, and state and federal competitive programs
• Recruit, manage, and support Advisory Council members in enhancing local fundraising efforts and building connections that advance programmatic goals
• Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with existing and prospective investors, deploying robust prospect research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship action steps to expand the individual funding base
• Refine and lead process to build annual and multi-year development plans aligned to our strategic growth goals
• Develop the annual budget in alignment with national strategic plans and programmatic priorities

Qualifications

• At least 8 years of progressive leadership experience, with a successful track record managing a diversity of strategic relationships to impact organizational growth
• Proven ability to engage and develop local champions focused on resource development
• Knowledge of program evaluation and performance measurement tools alongside a track record
  of proven success advancing projects and initiatives that feature a multitude of stakeholders
• At least 3 years of staff management experience, including prior exposure to recruiting and developing high performing teams during times of growth
• Comfort with making decisions independently, combined with an ability to work collaboratively
• Experience designing and implementing strategic fundraising plans that incorporate robust individual giving programs; knowledge of Los Angeles philanthropic, political, and educational landscapes strongly preferred
• Passionate commitment to the mission of Youth Guidance and the BAM program in particular;
  ability to tell a compelling story about why the mission of the program resonates with youth
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, demonstrating an ability to conceptualize and describe funding needs in a way that is compelling to a diversity of external audiences
• Passion for, and commitment to, BAM’s Six Core Values, alongside demonstrated success enhancing educational access and/or youth development initiatives
• Ability to travel on a quarterly basis to the Youth Guidance National Office in Chicago
• Bachelor’s degree required, with an advanced degree in business, education, mental health, or another relevant field preferred

To Apply

Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity, both in Word format, addressed to Michelle Adler Morrison, CEO, at recruiting@youth-guidance.org.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Youth Guidance offers a competitive salary and benefits, commensurate with experience and skills.

Youth Guidance is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity. Youth Guidance does not discriminate on the basis of race,color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law and is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity along all of these lines. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

EOE/M/F/D/V/SO