Amplify Program Director Cohort 3

POSITION OVERVIEW

Amplify Chicago (Amplify) is a premiere wealth-building pathway integrating social enterprise and justice for young men and womxn ages 20 to 26 whose lives have been impacted by the criminal justice system. The Amplify model connects education and training to careers and ultimately to wealth creation in Chicago’s most resilient communities. Amplify has served 2 cohorts of young men to date, with the vision from the beginning to engage both male and female talent. Cohort 3 will serve all womxn talent. Led by a female Academy Group college student intern, Amplify has launched the Womxn Advisory Council to guide the planning for Cohort 3.

This Program Director is a direct service champion responsible for implementing a dynamic program experience and building transformative relationships for Amplify Chicago, a start-up initiative under The Academy Group.

This Program Director serves as the lead for launching Amplify’s third and first-ever womxn cohort. As the Director and programmatic anchor, responsibilities include engaging womxn serving organizations as referral partners, recruiting womxn talent, adapting the Amplify model as needed to be a womxn-centered and responsive experience, leading the day-to-day programming and providing ongoing coaching and support to talent post- graduation. The Program Director is the onsite culture and expectations keeper who makes sure that the program is delivered relationally and with excellence. It is essential that the Program Director have an entrepreneurial mindset as this position may include overseeing business and entrepreneurial start-up opportunities with the talent of Cohort 3 and future cohorts. Amplify is committed to an adaptive approach and strives to remain on the cutting edge of wealth-building innovations and opportunities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES:

• Experience and knowledge of resilient communities’ strengths, challenges and opportunities relating to the mission of The Academy Group and the objectives of Amplify Chicago.
• Skilled at creating and maintaining safe physical and emotional spaces for talent and staff.
• Experience developing caring, trusting, intentional, and reliable relationships with young womxn, young men and their families; and the ability to provide personalized care, support, and challenge participants as they advance through the program model.
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining relationships with Community Based Organizations.
•  Strong interpersonal and human relations skills with the ability to be persuasive and compassionate.
• Strong organizational, strategic planning, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage autonomy and work under dynamic, evolving conditions; ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
  Strong analysis and written skills; ability to operate a personal computer and various software systems.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Experience launching or guiding entrepreneurial efforts
• Experience working directly with womxn, as well as young men and families
• Experience with life and employment counseling and case-management
• Proven success with program development, ideally with young people who have been impacted by the criminal justice system
• Experience in trauma informed practices, restorative justice and/or cognitive behavioral theory a plus
• Life and/or work experience in the most resilient communities in Chicago preferred

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program design and preparation:

• Oversee the necessary womxn-centered adaptations (programmatic and otherwise) to the Amplify model
• Ensure that all programmatic components are “unschooled” and that all curriculum and activities are culturally and developmentally appropriate and of the highest quality.
• Research, identify, and purchase tools, assessments and systems designed for accelerated learning and diploma/certification achievement and fully integrate them into the program model.
• Build an ecosystem of partnerships in support of talent and Integrate academic programming with trauma-informed supports and career readiness components to create a holistic talent-centered model (BASE plans).
• Partner with Executive Director and other Amplify Staff in designing full engagement support strategy.

Program design and preparation:

• Oversee the necessary womxn-centered adaptations (programmatic and otherwise) to the Amplify model
• Ensure that all programmatic components are “unschooled” and that all curriculum and activities are culturally and developmentally appropriate and of the highest quality.
• Research, identify, and purchase tools, assessments and systems designed for accelerated learning and diploma/certification achievement and fully integrate them into the program model.
• Build an ecosystem of partnerships in support of talent and Integrate academic programming with trauma-informed supports and career readiness components to create a holistic talent-centered model (BASE plans).
• Partner with Executive Director and other Amplify Staff in designing full engagement support strategy.

Program implementation:

• Poractively recommend strategies for serving womxn talent and ensure the full program model is implemented with fidelity and rigor.
• Serve as the BASE (Business, Academic, Social, Emotional) Coach to Amplify participants in their journey.
• Facilitate sessions/topics with talent as needed/appropriate (restorative circles, social-emotional learning, employment and readiness).
• Manage the integration and successful deployment of programmatic partners (math, investing,
  clinical, etc.).
• Track all data and progress toward goals, including case management related data; utilize data to inform ongoing program adaptations and improvements
• Inform the continued build out and refinement of the Salesforce case management system/tool.
• Provide timely and effective interventions for young people and their families in emergency/crisis situations as necessary.
• Partner with the Executive Director and other Amplify staff in making sure that the employers are prepared as supervisors and equipped in terms of site logistics and policies to receive, manage and invest in Amplify talent.
• Provide intensive coaching, case management and group supports to talent following the 4-month in- house program.
• Serve as a guide and coach for the launch of any talent-driven entrepreneurial efforts or social enterprise start-ups.

LOCATION:

This position is based in Chicago.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

The Academy Group offers a competitive salary and comprehensive medical, vision, dental and 401K package.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter and resume via Indeed.com or Idealist.org.

ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION:

The Academy Group
The Academy Group (AG) is a unique enterprise founded to realize the long-term potential of young people from underserved communities across the United States. Designed to tap into the deep wells of often overlooked talent that exists nationwide, the Academy Group empowers youth to thrive in school, work and life.

Amplify Chicago (Amplify), as a unique initiative founded under the umbrella of The Academy Group and fueled by the same belief that talent is ubiquitous, launched our first pilot cohort of young men in February 2019 and a second cohort of young men in July 2020. Together, Amplify and The Academy Group will accelerate our impact by taking strategic advantage of economies of scale, shared learning and promoting cross collaboration.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Continually required to stand, walk, sit
• Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
• Continually required to talk or hear
• Continually utilize visual acuity to operate equipment, read technical information, and/or use a keyboard
• Occasionally required to lift/push/carry items less than 25 pounds/ up to 25 pounds/ up to 50 pounds/ more than 50 pounds
• Occasional exposure to wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather)
• Frequently work near moving mechanical parts
• Occasionally work in high, precarious places
• Occasionally loud noise (construction)

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Amplify Chicago/The Academy Group is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Academy Group does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.