Manager of Teen Programs

  • Full-time

Company Description

The Chicago Architecture Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing public interest and education in architecture and design. As the 6th largest cultural institution in the City of Chicago, CAF presents a comprehensive program of tours, exhibitions, lectures, special events, and adult and youth education activities, all designed to enhance the public’s awareness and appreciation of Chicago’s outstanding architectural legacy.

Job Description

The Manager of Teen Programs manages the development, implementation, documentation and operations of CAF Teen Academy programs. Programs in the Teen Academy provide experiences for diverse teens with hands-on interactive design and design-build projects and workshops; architecture and design competitions; digital and social media projects; career-pathways experiences; and internship and apprenticeship programs.

This position is responsible for recruiting and retaining teens to programs; tracking participation; administering design competitions and supporting external partnerships with youth, schools and teachers, and architecture and design organizations. This position serves as the lead instructor for the Teen Fellows program.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Development and Implementation

  • Manage all program aspects of Teen Academy programs including: Teen Fellows, including summer internships; Saturday Teen Studios; Teen Open Studio; Newhouse Architecture and Design Competition, DiscoverDesign.org National Competition; occasional partnership workshops and After School Matters programming. Specifically, conceptualize, plan and deliver high-caliber, exciting opportunities for teens to work alongside professionals to explore architecture, engineering, construction and design;
  • Develop and manage annual work plans for CAF Teen Academy programs in collaboration with the Vice President of Education
  • Leverage Chicago Architecture Foundation education design principles and curriculum resources to create teen Academy programs; travel with teens locally and nationally on study trips.
  • Engage architecture and design professionals as studio instructors, mentors and internship hosts; ensure student work receives industry critiques.
  • Integrate teens into CAF organization-wide public programs, Open House Chicago, family festivals and permanent & temporary exhibitions.
  • Research and implement best youth development practices in all programs; assist with program evaluation.

Relationship Management

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for parents, teachers, and teens interested in participating with CAF.
  • Sustain relationships with teens before, during, and after programs
  • Work with teachers and administrators from partner schools to recruit students to teen programs, and assist with in-class project development for the Newhouse and DiscoverDesign competitions.
  • Work with architecture and design professionals in collaboration with other departments (Development; Public Programs)

Administrative

  • Develop and manage Teen Academy budgets in collaboration with the Vice President of Education
  • Develop and update monthly data report on Teen Academy programming; update and maintain student database and student contact information; track students’ participation in annual programs and create attendance reports.
  • Support fundraising efforts including developing content for grant proposals and contributing to grant reports
  • Represent the Teen Academy and the Education Department at off-site events, donor relations events; support the Education Department with special events, workshops, conferences, field trips, exhibitions as assigned.
  • Assist with training volunteers and mentors who serve teen audiences.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • Background in architecture, engineering and/or design
  • Experience working with teens from populations historically underrepresented in architecture, design, science and engineering; and/or experience in education, teaching, nonprofit administration or a related field
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills; demonstrated creative and strategic thinking skills
  • Experience writing curriculum and leading programming for teens
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously; attention to detail in composing, and proofing materials, creating work plans, establishing priorities and meeting deadlines
  • Must be able to travel regularly to sites throughout Chicago
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office
  • Experience with CitySpan, Tessitura or other database program a plus
  • Must be available to work evenings and weekends

Additional Information

The Chicago Architecture Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.