Director - Office of Youth Affairs
ABOUT THE SHEFFIELD ADMINISTRATION
Detroit is entering a historic new chapter under Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield, the city’s first woman to serve as Mayor. Elected with a decisive mandate, Mayor-Elect Sheffield brings a steady, community-rooted approach to governing—one focused on listening to residents, healing long-standing divides, and delivering meaningful improvements in daily life across every neighborhood. She will take office on January 1, 2026, with a commitment to building a city that lifts every family and expands opportunity for all.
As she forms her administration, Mayor-Elect Sheffield is assembling a talented, diverse team of leaders who bring deep expertise, lived experience, and the courage to put forward bold, innovative ideas that move Detroit forward. Her team will drive a City government grounded in collaboration, equity, transparency, and results. The Sheffield Administration seeks mission-driven individuals who are ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to help shape Detroit’s future.
ABOUT THE OFFICE
The Office of Youth Affairs serves as Detroit’s central hub for elevating youth voice, coordinating youth-focused initiatives, and ensuring young Detroiters have a direct line to the Mayor’s Office. Rooted in Mayor-Elect Sheffield’s commitment to building a city where every young person feels valued, supported, and seen, the office works across departments, schools, youth-serving nonprofits, neighborhood groups, and civic partners to create pathways to leadership, opportunity, and wellbeing. The Office of Youth Affairs leads the city’s effort to embed youth perspectives into policy development, program design, and decision-making, while building systems that strengthen safety, belonging, and opportunity for Detroit’s next generation.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Director of the Office of Youth Affairs serves as the Mayor’s chief advisor and senior strategist on all matters impacting young people across Detroit. Reporting directly to the Chief of Neighborhood Affairs the Director leads a citywide effort to engage youth authentically, integrate youth experience into municipal policy, and expand access to programs that improve academic, social, emotional, and economic outcomes. The Director works closely with Detroit Public Schools Community District, charter schools, youth-serving organizations, recreation and community centers, public safety agencies, and philanthropic partners to coordinate initiatives and elevate youth leadership. This role requires a leader deeply connected to Detroit’s neighborhoods, skilled in coalition-building, and committed to creating lasting systems that help young people thrive.
This role will drive the administration’s priorities, including:
Expand youth engagement systems that bring young Detroiters directly into the policy-making process
Build a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Cabinet representing every district in the city
Ensure city programs, investments, and initiatives incorporate youth voice and youth-centered design
Strengthen partnerships with DPSCD, charter networks, after-school programs, and youth-serving nonprofits
Support strategies that improve public safety, conflict resolution, and violence-prevention programming for youth
Coordinate citywide youth opportunity pipelines including internships, summer jobs, mentorship, and leadership programs
Increase access to culturally responsive mental-health supports and wellness resources
Ensure recreation centers, libraries, and neighborhood institutions serve as safe, supportive youth spaces
Advance equity-driven strategies that improve outcomes for youth most impacted by poverty, trauma, or systemic barriers
Integrate youth feedback into economic mobility, housing, transportation, digital access, and public-health initiatives
Strengthen family support and intergenerational connections that help stabilize neighborhoods
Lead communications efforts to elevate youth stories, youth leadership, and youth impact across Detroit
This description outlines the general nature and key responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive; duties, responsibilities, and activities may be modified at the discretion of the Mayor.
Core responsibilities include:
Lead the City’s youth engagement and youth-policy strategy
Build and manage the Office of Youth Affairs and its programmatic priorities
Develop and maintain partnerships with DPSCD, charter schools, universities, nonprofits, and foundations
Organize youth advisory bodies, leadership councils, and district-based youth engagement structures
Design initiatives that expand academic, social, and economic opportunities for youth
Coordinate youth-serving efforts across departments including Health, Parks & Recreation, Public Safety, and Neighborhoods
Guide policy development that centers youth experience and improves outcomes across systems
Serve as the City’s lead representative at youth-focused events, convenings, and intergovernmental meetings
Manage grants, budgets, performance metrics, and reporting for youth initiatives
Develop communication strategies that highlight youth voices and the administration’s youth agenda
Respond to emerging youth issues and coordinate rapid solutions across agencies
Implement evaluation and data-tracking systems to assess impact and improve program performance
Ensure Detroit’s youth-serving programs align with the administration’s equity, safety, and opportunity goals
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public policy, education, social work, public administration, or related field preferred
Seven or more years of experience in youth development, education, community engagement, social services, or public administration
Track record of building and managing youth-centered programs or policies
Deep familiarity with Detroit’s youth-serving organizations, DPSCD, and community landscapes
Experience working directly with young people in leadership, mentoring, engagement, or advocacy settings
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with government agencies, schools, nonprofits, and philanthropic partners
Strong understanding of youth-focused data, outcomes, and evidence-based practices
Experience managing budgets, grants, program evaluation, and performance measurement
Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills
Demonstrated commitment to equity, trauma-informed practice, and community-centered decision-making
Ability to navigate politically sensitive issues with tact, discretion, and sound judgment
Capacity to work evenings and weekends as needed for youth events and community engagement
Rate of Pay: $80,000– $100,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Benefits: Our goal is to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce by providing generous healthcare and other benefits to eligible employees. Learn more about benefits for City of Detroit employees.
Equal Opportunity in Employment: The Sheffield Administration is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above, we encourage you to apply if you believe you have the skills, experience, and expertise necessary to thrive in this role. The City of Detroit is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds—including those historically underrepresented in municipal government—to apply.