Manager, Life Design

Informed by a deep understanding of the adolescent experience and grounded in Hawaiian culture, the new LC will provide Hawaiian youth with opportunities to connect to peers and mentors, receive supportive services, and discover pathways to passion, purpose, and prosperity. LC will be LT’s signature youth development hub for culture, creativity, technology, and play, and will serve as a resource center where youth can connect to vital support and a vibrant community. LC will be a safe space located in urban Honolulu where youth are inspired to pursue their dreams, including exploring pathways in the arts, sports, technology, and entrepreneurship while receiving wraparound support to help them reach their goals and become thriving adults. A primary function of LC will be to provide a space for young people to play, to learn, to find connection and inspiration, and to experience joy. Currently under construction, LC is set to open in Spring of 2025. Job Purpose The Life Design Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, leading, and evaluating innovative, culturally responsive, and engaging programming at Lili?uokalani Center (LC) that bridges the evolution from education to employment/career readiness. This key position is responsible for ensuring that all programming designed to support young people in exploring areas of career interest and entering the workforce aligns with LC's mission, vision, and values, is culturally aligned, and reflects best practices in education, workforce development, and youth development. The Life Design Manager will work closely with the Community Engagement, Wellness, ?Olino Pathways Arts and Culture, Life Readiness, and Culinary teams to create and deliver integrated, holistic, high-quality, impactful programs that meet the needs and interests of Native Hawaiian youth. Key elements of this role are the development of partnerships with relevant organizations both locally and nationally and the development and implementation of wayfinding programming for career exploration and readiness designed in alignment with relevant research, best practice, and workforce models. The Manager will help to guide program direction, ensuring programming that supports the development of skills, competencies, and experiences that align with current trends in demand and interest. The Learning Design Manager will serve as an internal resource for workforce program design and training, collaborating closely with the Director, Life Readiness and other teammates to develop program models that are innovative and future-facing. All programming will integrate into the LC’s holistic wraparound support services and engaging arts, sports, entrepreneurship, technology, and culinary programming. Working collaboratively with other leaders, the Manager will maintain a state-wide view and awareness of youth interests and needs, and will collaboratively lead efforts to develop responsive, accessible, and engaging programming. Design a robust suite of creative, innovative programmatic offerings that meet current and future trends in workplace skills. Ensure deep integration of career development programming across program strands, including with the arts, culture, wellness, and community engagement teams. Work collaboratively with LC and LT leadership to increase program integration, focusing on ensuring that wraparound supports are built into all programming in a meaningful way. Develop, in collaboration with other leaders, a range of engagement opportunities, with both drop-in offerings and ongoing skill-building pipelines, ensuring an appropriate balance of drop-in and closed programming, including opportunities for special events and workshops. Through intentional programmatic development, design, and implementation, cultivate a sense of community and social/emotional support for participants. Hire, train, and manage new and existing teammates, as appropriate. Lead teammates by modeling design thinking and creative problem-solving methodologies. Lead and co-lead workshops and educational programs as appropriate and necessary. Manage relevant certification programs according to industry standards and competencies in Hawai’i. Serve as a point person for all workforce, youth employment, and entrepreneurship partnerships and opportunities. Engage with state and local organizations focused on workforce development in Hawai’i. Identify, cultivate, and develop strong programmatic partnerships with local and national service providers, including potential co-location at LC as appropriate. Monitor internal and external metrics related to strategic plan benchmarks for workforce development. Work collaboratively with the Research & Evaluation team to design, oversee, and manage data collection processes that provide regular, actionable feedback from participants to inform program design and ensure high impact programming. Lead forums and workshops exploring employment and entrepreneurship in Hawai’i and the Pacific. Speak publicly about LC programming and, as appropriate, assist with outreach and enrollment efforts. Develop a robust set of program offerings supporting participants in the development of an entrepreneurial mindset and the skills necessary to succeed as an entrepreneur. Manage the development and implementation of product and business development programs for youth business developers and designers. Establish strong ties to LT’s Youth Advisory Committee, increasing opportunities for youth voice and youth leadership throughout LC. Ensure that programming emphasizes global citizenship balanced with deep understanding of Native Hawaiian culture, highlighting opportunities for learning and advancement for participants while also strengthening ties to local communities. Work collaboratively with program leadership to ensure appropriate staffing and supervision of all program spaces. Participate in program planning and budget development, revision, and evaluation. Other duties: Contribute to the Trust?s success by accepting new assignments, helping team members, learning new skills, and collaborating as we strive to attain the Trust’s strategic goals. Provide transportation for organization-related business, such as driving staff, beneficiaries and/or families to assigned destinations. Participate in continuing education and training opportunities for professional development. Evening and weekend hours required as needed. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree (Graduate/MBA degree preferred) in field related to workforce/entrepreneurship programming for youth (business, finance, etc.). Deep understanding of Native Hawaiian culture, values, and history, with the ability to integrate these into wellness programming, fostering connection and holistic development. Work experience with an organization focused on workforce development. Knowledge and experience with managing youth programs. Competency with employable skills software/platforms. Experience with startup incubator and business development programs. Deep knowledge of youth development and/or career counseling. Collaboration: Ability to interact effectively with youth, community partners, and multi-disciplinary teams. Knowledge of community resources and services. Ethical Practice: Model the highest level of ethical behavior, integrity, and social responsibility. Uphold and embody all LT values. Communication: Clearly convey and receive information and ideas. Engage the listener and invite response and feedback. Demonstrate strong written, oral, and listening skills. Cultural Competence: Respect and relate well to people from varied backgrounds and sensitive to group differences. Experience working with at-risk youth and ability to apply positive youth development principles to that work. Relationship Management: Experience working with staff at all levels in a collaborative environment; ability to promote and sustain positive workplace values and relationships. Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work well under pressure and to remain calm and controlled when faced with challenging situations. Alignment with Queen’s legacy: Understanding and appreciation of Queen Liliuokalani’s story, her legacy and the Hawaiian Culture is foundational to staff’s commitment to working with our Hawaiian children, families and communities. Demonstrates respect for and appreciation of Hawaiian values history, and culture, understanding its implication in one’s work, in fostering meaningful relationships, and in embracing the community served. Ho`omau i ka `imi Na`auao (Continuous Learning and Improvement): Committed to creating and reinforcing an environment of continuous learning and improvement. Ho`ike i na Mana`o Pono (Effective Communication): Communicates with those we serve and each other in a consistent manner that results in mutual understanding, harmony, and action. No'ono'o loi (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving): Actively and skillfully understands, conceptualizes, applies, analyzes, synthesizes, and/or evaluates information and develops and supports fact-based analyses and recommendations. Ho'o kumu a'e or `Imi hakuhia (Innovation): Identifies and integrates creative ideas into new or existing services and promotes effective problem-solving. Pilina Ho`ohana a me ka Hana Hilina`i (Building Relationships and Creating Trust): Manages relationships to create optimal opportunities and move the organization forward. Alu Like I ka Hana (Teamwork): Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others throughout the organization in alignment with the organization's objectives. Ho`onui I ka `Ike (Capacity Building): Encourages personal growth by exhibiting trust and a belief in the capacity of others. Mental and Physical Demands: Ability to lift 25lbs pounds. Requires frequent sitting, bending, standing, and movement. Terms and Conditions of Employment: As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to LT’s policies and procedures. Job Title: Life Design Manager Reports to: Director, Life Readiness Aligned Executive: LC Executive Director #J-18808-Ljbffr