Benefits:

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Capstone Experiential Learning Director

Capstone Director

Location: Birmingham, AL

Minimum Salary Range: $60,000+ commensurate with experience

Job Type: Regular, On-site

Time Type: Full Time, Exempt

Reports to: President

Junior Achievement’s mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. By bridging the business and education communities with hands-on experiential programs focused on business, entrepreneurship, civic responsibility, career-readiness, and financial literacy, JA aims to achieve the following overarching goals:

To motivate, engage and inspire students to recognize the value and relevance of education, and to make informed decisions about their own personal education and career pathways.

To equip students with the key career-readiness skills that will drive success in any environment, and to invigorate innovative, creative, and entrepreneurial thinking among our youth.

To develop a financially literate generation who understands key business principles and makes responsible personal financial management decisions.

To increase student understanding and appreciation of their civic rights, roles, and responsibilities.

JA of Alabama is the local affiliate of JA USA, the nation’s oldest and largest economic education organization with over 100 years of experience. More information can be found on our website alabama.ja.org.

JA of Alabama has begun construction on a 30,000 sq. ft. experiential learning facility, the McWane Economic Education Center, which will house the JA BizTown and JA Finance Park experiential leaning programs, referred to as Capstone Programs. The facility is expected to be completed in spring 2026.

Position Summary

As the Capstone Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping students' educational experiences through our Capstone programs. You will lead and oversee the implementation of JA BizTown, JA Finance Park, and summer programming. Your work will directly impact students, educators, funders, and volunteers, ensuring program quality and integrity. This role also increases public awareness of JA programs, ensures program quality, expansion, and good school relations, and works with the President to develop the program's budget and yearly planning calendar.

Essential Functions

Annual Strategy and Operating Plans

Work with the President to develop strategic plans aligned with Junior Achievement (JA) 's overall business objectives in your area.

Create operating plans that outline how the Capstone programs will contribute to JA’s mission and growth.

Marketing and Recruitment

Market the Capstone program effectively to maximize its reach and impact.

Successfully recruit schools, students, and other stakeholders to participate in the program.

Student Outreach and Targets

Ensure that the program meets its target number of students served.

Collaborate with the Development team to support Capstone shop sponsors, strengthen partnerships, and create recognition opportunities.

Program Assessment and Evaluation

Administer evaluation tools to assess the effectiveness of Capstone programs.

Monitor curriculum progress at participating schools and update the annual schedule for visits and training.

School District Collaboration

Work closely with school district representatives to facilitate program implementation, secure funding, and evaluate outcomes.

Prepare and provide participating schools with all necessary information and training for effective program execution.

Training and Volunteer Management

Ensure the effectiveness of teacher and volunteer training sessions.

Secure sufficient volunteer resources to support program implementation.

Community Engagement

Presentations to local community groups to promote program participation.

Foster community support and engagement.

Financial Management

Work with the President to develop and manage the annual budget for the Capstone programs.

Maintain and update computer equipment and technology as needed.

Team Management

Oversee the Capstone staff, including recruitment, hiring, training, and performance management.

Retain quality talent to ensure the program’s success.

Other Projects

Handle additional tasks to enhance the Capstone program’s impact and effectiveness.

Other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

Influence Others: Provide sound rationale for recommendations; Generate enthusiasm for ideas by tapping into shared values; Promote own positions and ideas with confidence and enthusiasm even in the face of resistance.

Build Relationships: Adjust interpersonal style to a variety of people and situations; Cultivate networks with people across a variety of functions within and outside the organization.

Support Business Strategy: Demonstrate an understanding of JA's mission, vision, and overall strategies; align own activities with organization's goals and strategies.

Drive for Results: Consistently achieve work objectives; Readily put in time and effort required to achieve goals; Work to resolve routine and unexpected problems.

Demonstrate Adaptability & Resourcefulness: Overcome obstacles and constraints without becoming discouraged; Maintain a positive outlook and sense of humor in difficult situations.

Make Sound Decisions: Identify novel solutions to old problems; Produce new ways of looking at problems, processes, or solutions; Define reasonable alternatives; Focus on important information without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail.

Required Qualifications

Four or more years of JA, non-profit, or other relevant experience.

Prior experience working with children and the education system.

Four years of classroom or business experience is strongly desired.

Strong leadership skills with a focus on collaboration and problem-solving.

Experience in educational program management

Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.

Public Speaking experience.

Proficiency in data tracking and evaluation.

Passion for empowering students with financial knowledge and life skills.

Proficiency in budget management.

Valid Driver’s License and vehicle to commute to external community meetings and schools.

Desired Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is desired.

Familiarity with JA programming, preferably JA’s Capstone Experiential Learning programs, is desired.

• This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" relationship.

Physical Requirements The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to: sit, walk, occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, continually required to talk or hear, occasionally required to bend, or climb, frequently required to lift and carry light weights (25-50 pounds), and specific vision abilities include: close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust or focus.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume with three references to:

Lynne Lansdell: Lynne.Lansdell@ja.org

No phone calls please.