Job Description

Job Location: Upper East Side - New York, NY 10128
Position Type: Full Time
Salary Range: $135,000.00 - $150,000.00 Salary/year
Job Shift: Day
Job Category: NonprofitABOUT ASPHALT GREEN
Asphalt Green is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing health, fitness, and community through sports and wellness. Each year, we serve more than 50,000 New Yorkers—from young athletes developing lifelong skills to adults pursuing personal wellness goals. With two campuses in Manhattan, we offer world-class aquatics, recreational sports, summer camps, community programs, and school-based partnerships that promote active, healthy living for all. Our mission is fueled by the belief that access to sport and movement transforms lives. Whether teaching children to swim, coaching competitive teams, or delivering free programs to public schools, we are committed to excellence, inclusion, and the power of community. We are in an exciting chapter of organizational growth and innovation and are building a People & Culture function that reflects the same energy, impact, and ambition that defines our programs. If you are energized by building infrastructure, supporting people, and shaping culture at an organization with deep NYC roots and a bold vision for the future, we’d love to meet you.

POSITION SUMMARY
Asphalt Green seeks a mission-driven, strategic leader to serve as the Senior Director, Youth Development. Reporting to the Chief Program Officer, the Senior Director, Youth Development provides strategic leadership for Asphalt Green’s youth development ecosystem, overseeing program quality, access, and impact across camp, adaptive, school-based, community, and entry-level sports programs. As a key member of the Programs leadership team, this role leads program directors, establishes organization-wide youth development standards, and ensures consistent, high-quality participant experiences across a high-volume, multi-site portfolio. This role plays a critical part in advancing Asphalt Green’s mission, strengthening community impact, and positioning the organization as a national leader in inclusive youth development through sport, fitness, and play. This role has responsibilities across the Asphalt Green organization and will require travel to various program locations. The position is in-person 3–4 days per week with opportunities for remote work 1–2 days per week.
PRIORITY MILESTONES/KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (12-18 MONTHS)
• Unified framework for youth development and inclusion across all programs.
• Increased participation and retention in camp and school-based offerings
• Stronger partnerships with schools and community organizations.
• Improved program quality and parent satisfaction.
• Demonstrable growth in adaptive and access-based initiatives.
• Recognition of Asphalt Green as a national model for inclusive youth development.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Youth Development Strategy & Program Quality
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all youth development program areas, including camp, adaptive, school based, community, and entry-level sports programs.
• Establish and uphold a unified youth development framework that promotes access, inclusion, quality, and age appropriate progression across programs.
• Ensure program models align with Asphalt Green’s mission, values, and instructional standards, while remaining responsive to community needs.
• Design and strengthen participant pathways that support engagement, retention, and development from introductory experiences through advanced opportunities, when appropriate.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve program quality, consistency, and participant experience across a high-volume, multi-site portfolio. Program Impact, Access & Inclusion
• Champion inclusive program design that ensures accessibility for participants of all backgrounds and abilities, including adaptive and access-based initiatives.
• Partner with program leaders to define clear outcomes and success measures related to participation, retention, quality, and developmental impact.
• Collaborate with the Data team to support outcome tracking, evaluation, and learning cycles that inform continuous improvement.
• Use data, feedback, and insights to guide strategic decisions and strengthen the effectiveness of youth development programs.
• Support organizational efforts to expand access and equity through sustainable program models and community centered program models.
Leadership, Alignment & Team Development
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and accountability for program directors and staff across the youth development portfolio.
• Build alignment across youth development, competitive athletics, operations, and finance to ensure cohesive program delivery.
• Develop leadership capacity within the Programs division through coaching, collaboration, and modeling of effective management practices.
• Foster a culture of inclusion, excellence, and accountability that reflects Asphalt Green’s values in daily practice.
• Serve as a key advisor to the Chief Program Officer on youth development strategy, program performance, and long term planning.
Partnerships, Storytelling & Sustainability
• Cultivate and strengthen strategic partnerships with schools, community organizations, and public agencies to expand reach and deepen impact.
• Collaborate with Development team by providing programmatic insight and strategic input to support funding and sustainability efforts.
• Partner with Marketing to articulate Asphalt Green’s youth development philosophy, program value, and impact through compelling storytelling and reporting.
• Contribute to Asphalt Green’s external reputation as a leader in inclusive youth development through selective engagement with partners, funders, and sector peers.
LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
• Youth Development Strategist: Applies research and best practices to build inclusive, developmentally appropriate program models.
• Systems Builder: Designs frameworks and standards that support consistency, quality, and scalability.
• Equity-Centered Leader: Champions access, inclusion, and community relevance across all programs.
• Data-Informed Decision Maker: Uses evidence, insights, and feedback to guide strategy and improvement.
• Collaborative Leader: Builds trust, alignment, and shared purpose across teams and stakeholders.
• Effective Communicator: Clearly articulates vision, expectations, and impact at all levels of the organization.

QualificationsLEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
- Youth Development Strategist: Applies research and best practices to build inclusive, developmentally appropriate program models.
- Systems Builder: Designs frameworks and standards that support consistency, quality, and scalability.
- Equity-Centered Leader: Champions access, inclusion, and community relevance across all programs.
- Data-Informed Decision Maker: Uses evidence, insights, and feedback to guide strategy and improvement.
- Collaborative Leader: Builds trust, alignment, and shared purpose across teams and stakeholders.
- Effective Communicator: Clearly articulates vision, expectations, and impact at all levels of the organization.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum 8–10 years of progressive leadership experience in youth development or adjacent fields such as education, recreation, or community health/wellness.
- Demonstrated experience overseeing large-scale, high-volume programs such as camps, after-school, or community access initiatives.
- Deep understanding of youth development principles, inclusion, and adaptive programming.
- Proven ability to build and manage partnerships with schools, nonprofits, municipalities, or public agencies.
- Experience leading diverse teams of full-time and seasonal staff across multiple program sites.
- Strong financial and operational acumen, with the ability to balance mission impact with sustainable program models.
- Commitment to Asphalt Green’s mission of advancing health, fitness, and personal growth through sport, fitness, and play for all.