Program Manager, Speech and Debate (YPIE Yonkers)

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ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

YPIE creates pathways to college and career success. With a focus on mid-sized cities, our proven approach is grounded in high expectations, personalized opportunities, and community partnerships.

We envision a future where all young people are equipped to thrive in communities that support their pathways to success.

Youth in mid-sized cities often face significant barriers to achieving economic mobility and may lack the sustained support systems needed to navigate college and career pathways. YPIE is working to change that. Across Yonkers, Jersey City, and Nashville, YPIE partners with public schools and local organizations to provide students with a comprehensive, 9th grade-to-career continuum of support. Through deep, high-touch relationships, real-world skill development, strong community and corporate partnerships, and a culture of high expectations paired with meaningful support, YPIE helps students prepare for college, persist through graduation, and launch into careers that lead to long-term opportunity. Today, YPIE serves more than 2,500 students across these three cities, building on a model with proven results in expanding access to higher education and economic mobility.

Our recent outcomes data demonstrates the positive impact that YPIE has on the communities we serve: increased college readiness, enrollment, degree attainment, and career access.

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POSITION OVERVIEW

YPIE Program Managers support high school students on their path to college and career success through a combination of academic coaching and career-focused instruction. This YPIE Program Manager, Speech & Debate will lead the YPIE Speech & Debate Major, supporting student success through high-quality instruction, coaching, and preparation for speech and debate competitions. The Program Manager oversees a cohort of 9th–12th grade students, providing classroom instruction and small group/individual coaching in public speaking, argumentation, research, and critical thinking.

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RESPONSIBILITIES & RESULTS

YPIE Speech and Debate

• Develop curriculum and teach YPIE Speech & Debate daily after school at the YPIE College Zone

• Coach students in speech writing, debate case development, research, and argumentation for participation in local speech and debate tournaments

• Support students in selecting events, developing original speeches or debate cases, conducting research, structuring arguments, and refining delivery and rebuttal skills

• Provide ongoing feedback on speeches, debate cases, performance rounds, and written materials

• Competitions:

  • Research and select speech and debate events appropriate for YPIE students across grade and experience levels

  • Attend speech and debate events with students

  • Support competition preparation, logistics, and post-competition reflection to strengthen student performance

Student Support & Family Engagement

• Develop strong professional relationships with students in order to:

  • Provide tutoring in Biology, Chemistry, and/or Physics

  • Foster self-advocacy so students identify and seek support

• Collaborate with volunteers to assist in providing services to YPIE students.

• Maintain active, collaborative relationships with key family figures in students' lives, coordinating to address students’ challenges and reinforce goals.

Program Administration & Recruitment

• Manage student records and leverage data systems to proactively identify student challenges and concerns.

• Manage relevant program logistics and communicate with key stakeholders about timelines and necessary tasks.

• Recruit for a new cohort of YPIE Scholars each year, proactively collaborating with district partners to identify target students and deliver info sessions and presentations.

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VALUES

YPIE team members:

• expect more, holding ourselves and our students to high expectations and demonstrating fierce accountability in all that we do.

• pursue relentlessly, doing whatever it takes to achieve our goals with integrity, while sweating the details and never compromising on quality.

• are always learning, approaching our work with curiosity and a growth mindset, continuously seeking feedback and opportunities to improve.

• drive results that matter, staying focused on impact, purpose, and measurable outcomes that create meaningful change for our students and community.

• draw on collective strength, building strong relationships rooted in trust, and collaborating with partners and teammates to advance shared goals.

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CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

To be eligible for consideration, applicants should have:

• Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree

  • 2+ years of teaching/facilitating student learning (non-traditional classroom experience welcome)

• Demonstrated experience with Speech and Debate, such as:

  • Coaching or teaching high school or college Speech and Debate students

  • Competitive participation at high school or college level

• Skills and Knowledge

  • Strong writing and public speaking skills

  • Proven organizational and program tracking skills

  • An outcomes-focused orientation

• Personal Attributes

  • Ability to navigate partnerships with diverse stakeholders

  • Flexibility to work some evening and weekend hours based on program needs

  • A car and willingness to travel to program site(s)

The most competitive applicants will possess:

• Teaching certification or certificate of eligibility

• Master’s degree in Education or a related field

• Ability to see the big picture and sweat the small stuff at the same time

• Flexibility and adaptability; able to roll with the punches

• Spanish, Arabic, or other bilingual fluency a plus

You are likely to be successful in this role if:

• You enjoy solving challenging problems to reach measurable outcomes.

• You thrive in an entrepreneurial environment where you will manage your own time and curriculum implementation to support each student.

• You are hungry for collaboration.

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JOB DETAILS

• Location: In-person across multiple program sites in Yonkers, NY

• Hours: Full-time

• Calendar: 10-month (summers off)

• Start Date: August 20

• Salary range: $60,000-$70,000

• Reporting to: Director, Readiness

• Benefits: YPIE offers a competitive compensation and benefits package commensurate with experience. Benefits include:

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance

  • Retirement plan with matching contributions

  • Flexible Spending Account

  • Life insurance

  • Employee assistance program (EAP)

  • Partial cell phone reimbursement

  • Personalized staff learning opportunities

  • On-site gym