Overview
The Manager of Teen Voice & Leadership is a leading member of the Young Adult Programs and Services (YAPS) Department at The New York Public Library (NYPL), responsible for developing opportunities for teens to create, share, and showcase their unique perspectives through our collections, publications, programs, social media, and other creative platforms. The Manager oversees initiatives including Teen Curators, teen publishing and creative programs, YAPS social media, and guidance and resources supporting teen volunteer experiences, working closely with internal and external partners to strengthen and expand opportunities for meaningful teen participation.
Some expectations for this role are that within:
1 month, this person will:
- Gain familiarity with the Teen Research & Publishing portfolio, priorities, workflows, and upcoming initiatives
- Meet key partners across YAPS, Research, the Center for Educators and Schools, Communications, and Volunteer Services
- Understand current program timelines, budgets, and team responsibilities
3 months, this person will:
- Assess current workflows, roles, and opportunities to strengthen the portfolio
- Oversee implementation of current initiatives and key program deliverables
6 months and beyond, this person will:
- Strengthen Teen Curators in partnership with the Center for Educators and Schools and Research teams
- Evolve Teen Voices and other publishing opportunities to reflect a broader range of teen interests, formats, and media
- Expand opportunities for teens to create, contribute to, and shape the portfolio’s programs, publications, and platforms
- Strengthen YAPS’s understanding of the teen volunteer experience and identify opportunities to better support teen volunteers and the staff who work with them.
Responsibilities:
- Directly supervise the Associate Manager of Teen Voice & Leadership
- Lead the strategy, design, implementation, and evaluation of Teen Voice & Leadership initiatives
- Lead Teen Curators in partnership with the Center for Educators and Schools, Research Libraries, and other Library partners
- Oversee Teen Voices, NYPL's flagship publication by and for teens, and other teen publishing and creative initiatives, including collaborative projects such as Portal
- Develop opportunities for teens to create, curate, publish, and showcase original content across print, digital, social media, and other creative platforms
- Oversee YAPS social media channels and content planning, working across YAPS to increase opportunities for teen-created content
- Partner with the Volunteer and Intern Programs team to develop guidance and resources that support positive teen volunteer experiences across NYPL
- Manage program budgets, vendors, partnerships, timelines, and major deliverables
- Use participation data and teen and staff feedback to assess programs and inform future direction
- Perform other related duties as assigned
Required Education & Certifications
- Master’s Degree in Library Sciences, Education or related field required
Required Experience
- 5+ years of experience working with diverse youth populations, preferably high school students, in a library, school, cultural institution, or nonprofit setting
- Experience developing and managing youth programs centered on creative expression, publishing, research, youth participation, or related areas
- Experience coordinating complex work with internal stakeholders, external partners, vendors, and program participants
- At least 1 year of experience directly supervising and managing staff
Required Skills
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- Strong project management, organizational, and time-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and delegate effectively
- Strong ability to build and maintain partnerships with internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to work well both independently and collaboratively across multiple NYPL departments
- Ability to use data and feedback to assess programs and inform decisions
- Reliable work ethic and flexibility to adapt to changing priorities
- Commitment to welcoming, inclusive, and teen-centered services
- Comfortable traveling to NYPL locations throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island
Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities
- Direct supervision of 1 Associate Manager
Core Values
All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:
- Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
- Be Resourceful in solving problems
- Be Curious in all aspects of your work
- Be Welcoming and Inclusive
Work Environment
- Primarily office setting, with regular visits to NYPL locations
- Occasional evening, weekend, outdoor, or offsite programs and events
Physical Duties
- Travel throughout NYC required
- Limited physical effort is required
Pre-Placement Physical Required?
Union/Non Union
FLSA Status
Schedule
- Monday to Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm with flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed
- 35 hours per week
- Hybrid schedule; 4 days per week onsite and up to 1 day per week remote
This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.
The New York Public Library Salary Statement
At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.
Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).
