Career Opportunity: Program Manager – Leadership Academies with EPIC Youth in Columbus, OH Are you a dynamic, hands-on program leader who is passionate about youth development, mentorship, and creating meaningful learning experiences? Are you energized by the opportunity to lead impactful programs, coach and support staff, and help young people build confidence, character, and leadership skills? If you answer yes, we want to speak with you!

The Program Manager – Leadership Academies leads EPIC Youth’s community-based programs for middle and high school students, ensuring high-quality leadership development, mentorship, and professional readiness experiences. This role oversees program delivery, supports youth engagement, and uses data and feedback to drive consistent outcomes across academy cohorts. Pay range: $48k - $52k; depending on experience and knowledge.

Responsibilities

of the position include: Lead the planning, delivery, and refinement of Leadership Academy programming in alignment with EPIC Youth standards. Ensure leadership, mentorship, and skill-building are embedded in every session. Maintain high facilitation standards, session structure, and youth engagement.

Conduct quality checks to ensure curriculum fidelity and effective delivery. Facilitate leadership development sessions and mentor youth through consistent relationship-based engagement. Model strong public speaking, communication, and leadership skills for both youth and staff.

Support youth in goal setting, self-awareness, and leadership identity development. Address behavioral and social-emotional needs using PBIS-aligned and trauma-informed practices. Ensure all tools and resources are accessible and available for staff to implement programs.

Monitor attendance, participation, and leadership growth indicators. Ensure accurate data collection, documentation, and reporting. Use data and youth feedback to inform continuous program improvement.

Build relationships with families to support youth accountability and engagement. Connect youth and families to relevant community resources as needed. Represent EPIC Youth professionally in community settings and events related to Leadership Academies.

Requirements

of this position include: Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience in youth development, education, social services, mentoring, or nonprofit programming. Minimum 3 years of experience leading youth leadership, mentoring, or enrichment programs; required. Demonstrated experience facilitating group programs and mentoring youth; required.

Strong knowledge of positive youth development strategies and best practices for educating, mentoring, and supporting boys and adolescent males; required. Strong facilitation, public speaking, and communication skills; required. Ability to use data, feedback, and program outcomes to inform continuous improvement; required.

Experience building relationships with families, schools, and community partners; required. About EPIC YOUTH EPIC Youth is a mentoring and empowerment organization dedicated to equipping young people with the leadership, academic, and professional skills they need to succeed. Through mentorship, hands-on learning experiences, and dynamic programs, we empower students to build confidence, develop strong character, and prepare for their future careers.

Our work began with two core gender-focused initiatives—Eryn PiNK Girl Empowerment and Men of ICE—which provide tailored leadership and personal development programs designed specifically for girls and boys. Now have expanded to leadership academies, in-school programs, and mentorship initiatives with structured pathways for self-discovery, teamwork, and critical thinking. At EPIC Youth, we believe that every student deserves access to transformative experiences and a supportive community.

By providing safe spaces and meaningful opportunities, we ensure that young people are not just prepared for life—but inspired to lead in it.