Program Director, BladeRunners

Department

: Employment Training & Life Skills

Reports to

: Chief Administrative Officer

Location

: Onsite in Nanaimo's Old City Quarter

We're building bridges for Nanaimo's youth into the local labour market. NYSA is hiring a Program Director to lead that work through BladeRunners.

What is BladeRunners?

BladeRunners is BC's longest-running youth employment program, supporting youth ages 16-30 who are ready to work but face real barriers. It brings together job coaching, certifications, paid training, and direct connections to local employers. NYSA has been home to BladeRunners in Nanaimo since 1996.

About the Role

This is a hands-on role focused on helping youth prepare for, train for, and move into work.

Day-to-day, you'll:

• Coach participants

: Work one-on-one and in groups to assess readiness, identify strengths, set realistic goals, and develop action plans that move youth toward employment
- Facilitate workshops

: Deliver sessions on resumes, interviews, job search strategies, and workplace expectations
- Build employer relationships

: Make cold calls, pitch placements, identify job leads, and organize 'Trade Talks' where participants meet local hiring managers face-to-face
- Manage program operations

: Track participant progress, maintain case files, coordinate with community partners, and meet provincial reporting requirements
- Stay connected to Nanaimo's labour market

: Monitor local hiring trends, maintain referral networks, and guide participants toward real opportunities

What You Bring

We're looking for someone who can work effectively with youth, build relationships with employers, and manage the moving parts of a busy program.

You'll need

:

• 2–4 years of direct experience working with youth or young adults in coaching, education, employment support, or community programming
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups and deliver workshops
• A connector mindset — you are comfortable initiating conversations with local employers, making cold calls, and building meaningful partnerships
• Strong organizational skills and proficiency in Microsoft 365 and database management
• Ability to stay grounded when supporting youth facing complex personal, financial, or housing challenges while maintaining professional boundaries
• Cultural competency and respectful, non-judgmental approach when working with people from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive client information with discretion
• Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check

Bonus if you have

:

• Specialized experience in employment counselling or career development
• Experience in case management
• An existing understanding of Nanaimo's current labour market and local employment landscape
• Knowledge of local employment programs, social services, and community resources

This role could be a good fit for you if you

:

• build trust easily and communicate clearly, whether one-on-one or in group settings
• handle sensitive information with care and maintain confidentiality
• stay calm, professional, and solution-focused in difficult or conflict situations
• are organized, reliable, and able to manage time and competing priorities
• work well independently while contributing positively to a small, collaborative team
• bring a non-judgmental, respectful approach and value cultural and lived experience differences

Education

Post-secondary education in social sciences, counselling, career development, or education is valued, but we know that great coaches come from many backgrounds. Equivalent hands-on experience with youth employment programming will be highly considered.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time position (37.5 hours per week) that includes:

• Monday to Friday, daytime schedule (typically 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
• Paid vacation
• Paid sick days
• Extended health benefits, including medical, dental, optometry, mental health supports, massage, and chiropractic care
• RRSP matching
• Mileage reimbursement for work-related use of a personal vehicle
• Free onsite parking
• Snow days (when local schools close)

This position offers an annual salary range of $42,900–$46,800 CAD. 

How to Apply

Send your resume and a brief note about why this role interests you to
.

Cover letters are optional – we're more interested in hearing directly from you about what draws you to this work.

We review applications on a rolling basis and will be in touch with candidates who are a strong match. If you have questions about the role before applying, feel free to reach out to the same email.

About NYSA

For more than 50 years, Nanaimo Youth Services Association (NYSA) has worked alongside youth in Nanaimo as they build safe, stable paths into adulthood. 

Our work is grounded in the understanding that stability comes from meeting real needs: a safe place to land, practical skills, and consistent support over time.

We focus on housing, employment, and life skills programs that help youth move toward independence at their own pace. The work is relationship-based, local, and built on accountability — with youth, staff, and community partners all playing a role.

NYSA is a registered Canadian charity. Our
Community Impact Report
shares more about our work and the kind of impact this role contributes to.