Manager of Future Readiness

Description

The Big Futures Team expands opportunities for young people through career exploration, group mentoring, scholarships, and youth engagement experiences that strengthen belonging, build social capital, and support postsecondary success.

Reporting to the Director of Big Futures, the Future Readiness Manager leads the implementation and continuous improvement of BBBSTC’s Future Readiness portfolio, including group mentoring and scholarships. This role strengthens the agency’s approach to future readiness by integrating the 4Es—Employment, Enrollment, Enlistment, and Entrepreneurship—and advancing culturally responsive, relationship-centered programming and caregiver engagement.

The Manager provides hands-on leadership and operational oversight of two Coordinators, translating program goals into clear workflows, consistent data practices, and high-quality youth experiences. Through strong people leadership and cross-team collaboration, the Manager ensures effective communication with internal and external stakeholders; aligns programming with match support and retention goals; and establishes the systems needed to measure impact and sustain program growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Strengthen Cross-Team Integration: Partner closely with internal program departments—including Match Support, Program Events, and Free Arts—to broaden access to Future Readiness initiatives, deepen youth participation, and drive long-term match retention across the agency.
• Establish Consistent Systems and Data Practices: Maintain clear documentation, workflows, data collection processes, and quality measures to strengthen accountability and continuous improvement.
• Advance Program Quality and Impact: Ensure programming reflects the Developmental Relationships framework, incorporates culturally responsive practices, engages caregivers, and expands opportunities for youth to explore and prepare for their futures.
• Consistent Program Delivery in adherence with local and national standards/ Team supervision: Ensure program standards are in alignment with National BBBSA Small group mentoring standards and program manual standards.

Job Details

Start Date: As soon as possible

Location: Hybrid with in-office requirement on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

Hiring Salary Range: $52,000-62,000 Starting salary will depend on your skills and demonstrated readiness for the role.

Hours/Day: Monday-Friday, 40+ hours a week – including evenings, and weekends when necessary.

Job Type: Full-time, Exempt

Supervisor: Director of Big Futures

Candidate Profile

The Manager of Future Readiness is leader in the Programs Department and plays a critical role in the operations of the Big Futures team. We are seeking a leader who can strengthen and elevate our existing programs while building a cohesive, culturally responsive framework that integrates group mentoring, scholarships, youth voice, and career exploration into clear and sustainable outcomes.

Initial Priority Focus:

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of program supervision including their resources, operations, and measurable outcomes, to establish clear, sustainable quantitative and qualitative goals aligned with the dedicated Program Standards.
• Execute and Support BBBSTC’s Future Readiness programming model, designing how scholarships and group mentoring programs align with our mission.
• Integrate the 4Es (Employment, Enrollment, Enlistment, Entrepreneurship) framework into programming in ways that are culturally relevant and youth-centered.
• Enhance engagement as a method to enhance experiential youth outcomes.
• Establish a consistent program evaluation cadence to assess program effectiveness, measure outcomes, and ensure alignment with organizational priorities and strategic goals.

Essential Job Functions

Program Strategy and Oversight

• Lead the implementation and ongoing refinement of group mentoring models, ensuring alignment with BBBSA Small Group Mentoring Standards and high-quality facilitation practices.
• Guide the development and execution of youth pathway strategies that align with BBBSTC’s Theory of Action, ensuring programming advances measurable youth outcomes and long-term impact.
• Manage and steward our program partner relationships; schools, corporations, vendors, school partners including program implementation and communication cadence.
• Development and implementation retention strategies in youth-centered programming.
• Use youth voice in consistent feedback loops for program design.
• Develop and monitor teams progress to goals and hold them accountable to achieving desired outcomes.
• Track program data, outcomes, and trends; ensure staff are documenting and analyzing information accurately in Salesforce. Partner with Impact & Accountability to track key outputs and outcomes.
• Collaborate with Grants & Accountability staff to produce reports, dashboards, and impact stories for internal and external stakeholders.
• Stay up to date and in compliance in accordance with BBBSTC standards and BBBS of America requirements.
• Partner with leaders across the agency to develop stronger pathways to gain access to opportunities.
• Administer and further develop our transition and non traditional scholarship process. Enhancing processes, monitor the financial portfolio associated with scholarships , and expanding resources.
• Collaborate with the Manager of Program Events to provide staffing support of all other Big Futures events.
• Observe programming and provide actionable feedback to strengthen facilitation and participant outcomes.
• Coordinate with other program teams for smooth participant transitions and consistent service delivery.

People & Team Management

• Champion the employee lifecycle, actively participating in people management responsibilities including staffing, hiring, onboarding, employee transitions and other processes in partnership with People & Culture.
• Cultivate an inclusive and engaged team environment through connection and communication.
• Define expectations and enable performance by setting clear goals, monitoring responsibilities, and approving time, attendance, and daily operations.
• Drive high performance and accountability through regular coaching, timely feedback, and active engagement in performance review processes.
• Navigate workplace concerns proactively, addressing performance concerns, conflict, and supervisory challenges, involving People & Culture when necessary.
• Act as an extension of the organization, ensuring team operations, leaves, accommodations, and workplace behaviors comply with employment laws and internal policies.

Child Safety & Program Risk Leadership

• Serve as the first line of leadership and accountability for child safety within their program area, consulting the Child Safety Lead when additional expertise or guidance is needed.
• Ensure staff understand, consistently follow, and demonstrate competency in all child safety policies, procedures, reporting requirements, and program standards.
• Own program-level risk management, recognizing and responding to emerging concerns and taking immediate action when participant safety or program risk requires it.
• Ensure required child safety documentation, incident reporting, and follow-up are completed accurately and on time; address gaps in compliance or staff practice.
• Reinforce child safety expectations through ongoing supervision, coaching, team communication, and accountability—not solely through formal training.
• Use child safety incidents, trends, and learning to identify opportunities to strengthen program practice, prevention, staff development, and participant experience.
• Partner with the Child Safety Lead on complex situations, organizational learning, training, and continuous improvement while maintaining responsibility for implementation within their program.
• Participate in child safety response, review, or external processes as appropriate to the program context and provide timely information and cooperation when needed.
• Remain accountable for the consistent implementation of child safety practices within their area, regardless of the involvement or consultation of the Child Safety Lead.

BBBS Mission Alignment

• Maintain knowledge of community needs, resources, and networks.
• Communicate professionally with external constituents.
• Work collaboratively to achieve results as specified in the strategic plan.
• Promote teamwork by overseeing and participating in various teams, including work groups and interdepartmental meetings.
• Positively represent BBBS in the larger community.
• Support the Advancement Department in recruitment, fundraising, and communication efforts as needed.
• Support the Programs Department with agency-wide initiatives and events as needed.
• Contribute to the overall success of the agency in order to achieve the BBBS mission.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Youth Development, Education, Social Work, Human Services, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in program management, education, youth development, or mentoring.
• At least 2 years of supervisory experience, with demonstrated success in leading teams and fostering a positive, accountable culture.
• Experience managing partnerships with schools, corporations, or community organizations.
• Demonstrated success in program design, facilitation, and evaluation.
• Experience with data management systems (Salesforce or equivalent preferred) and using data to inform program decisions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to build trust, set clear expectations, and hold staff accountable.
• Deep knowledge of youth development practices, adolescent engagement, and mentoring.
• Skilled in group facilitation and able to coach others to strengthen facilitation practices.
• Excellent relationship-building and partnership cultivation abilities.
• Strong planning, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to analyze data and translate findings into program improvements.
• Effective communication skills—verbal, written, and presentation.
• Flexibility to attend events during evenings or weekends as needed.

Physical Requirements

This position operates in a hybrid environment that includes office work and frequent presence in community and event settings. The role requires the ability to set up and break down outreach and tabling materials, including lifting, carrying, and transporting items up to approximately 40–50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

The position also requires extended periods of standing, walking, and engaging with the public at community events, as well as regular use of standard office equipment and technology such as computers, mobile devices, and phones. Reliable transportation is required to travel to community locations throughout the Twin Cities.

About BBBSTC

Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities has been creating and supporting youth mentoring relationships for over 100 years. Since our inception, we have partnered with more than half a million Twin Cities youth by:

• Meeting with a committed caring adult mentor 2-4 x a month.
• Accessing resources for Bigs, Littles, and families to keep matches going strong.
• Connecting with qualified professionals dedicated to youth development.
• Receiving guided support throughout their developmental years to achieve their full potential.

Benefits

We care deeply about our employees and know holistic support is essential for our staff to carry out the BBBS mission. Our generous employment package includes BBBS-sponsored health & dental insurance, employer-paid long-term disability insurance, and life insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), paid time off accrual & 13 Paid Holidays, and 403(b) retirement plans with employer match.

We recognize the need for flexible scheduling and remote work. Employees are able to work with their supervisors to identify a schedule that works best for both them and the agency.

Workplace Culture

BBBSTC is an mission-centered, inclusive workplace that strives to create a space where our 60+ employee's unique talents, learning styles and lived experiences are valued. We pride ourselves on our flexible scheduling and hybrid workspace. Creating an engaging work environment is an essential part of our culture. We uphold this commitment through staff surveys, stay interviews, professional development, and quarterly trainings. In addition, we hold monthly all staff meetings and gatherings, and provide the opportunity to join affinity groups (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Mental Health), and agency committees (Values in Action, Engagement & Connection, Total Wellness, Building & Safety).

Our Hiring Process

Our People & Culture team is committed to a person-first centered approach to our hiring process. We believe in a respectful experience for all parties involved. Candidates can apply online via bigstwincities.org/careers. Include a cover letter and resume. For all positions, our hiring process includes a Zoom screen and in-person panel interviews, reference and background checks for final candidates. All staff are required to be fingerprinted through the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) within the first week of employment.

Persons of color, women, members of the LGBTQ community, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources team at careers@bigstwincities.org. At this time, we are unable to provide company sponsored visas and are only considering candidates who are eligible to work in the United States.

The above statements are not intended to encompass all functions and qualifications of the position. Rather, they are intended to provide a general framework of the requirements of the position. Employees may be required to perform other functions not specifically addressed in this job description.

P.S. Please take the necessary steps to allow list the BBBSTC (@bigstwincities.org) and Paylocity (@paylocity.com) domains so that you receive all emails related to your application process. Also, please make sure to check your spam folder as emails from BBBSTC and/or Paylocity can be marked as spam.