BizTown Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Location: Birmingham, AL
Minimum Salary Range: $50,000+ commensurate with experience
Job Type: Regular, On-site
Time Type: Full Time, Exempt
Reports to: Director of Experiential Learning
Organizational Overview
Junior Achievements 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 nations 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 learning programs, referred to as Capstone Programs. The facility is expected to be completed in spring 2026.

Position Summary

JA BizTown and JA Finance Park, both known as JA Experiential Learning Programs, combine classroom curriculum with a hands-on experiential site visit in our unique learning lab. Students and teachers visit the facilities for a day-long simulation as the culmination of their preparatory classroom curriculum.

The programs seek to achieve the following results for students:

Provide a connection between current classroom learning and real-world application in tomorrows workforce; Enhance the availability, relevance, and importance of next generation career pathways; Provide the opportunity to explore real-life work experiences and develop an understanding of the skills and education needed to reach career goals; Provide programming surrounding financial literacy and workforce preparedness; Begin development of healthy behaviors and soft skills to enhance students opportunity trajectory; Provide exposure to and understanding of the local business community.

Used together, the classroom curriculum and hands-on experiences help students begin to understand potential next generation pathways at two pivotal times in their educational career.

The BizTown Manager leads the implementation and daily execution of JA BizTown at the McWane Economic Education Center, ensuring an exceptional and mission-aligned experience for students, educators, volunteers, and community partners. This position leads to all BizTown program operations, including teacher training, day-of simulation execution, scheduling and data tracking, supervision of part-time simulation staff, and stakeholder communication. Additionally, cross training in all facility roles including Finance Park Manager and Finance Park Simulation Support.

This role is critical to maintaining program integrity, customer satisfaction, and high-quality experiential learning outcomes.

Roles & Responsibilities

Program Operations & Simulation Execution
Lead and oversee day-of JA BizTown simulation experiences.
Ensure program fidelity and operational excellence.
Prepare simulation space, storefronts, and materials.
Provide orientation and real-time support to teachers and volunteers.
Troubleshoot operational challenges during simulations.
Serves as simulation software lead, conducting improvements and updates, ensuring daily readiness and interfacing with Junior Achievements national arm, JA USA
Teacher & School Support
Support and train teachers on curriculum implementation leading up to the capstone experience.
Maintain proactive communication with participating schools.
Provide evaluation tools and collect feedback to ensure continuous improvement.
Staff Supervision
Supervise and support Experiential Learning Facilitators assigned to BizTown.
Support onboarding and training of part-time staff.
Provide performance feedback and coaching.
Scheduling, Data & Reporting
Manage program calendar and scheduling coordination.
Ensure accurate data tracking and database updates.
Collect testimonials, highlights, and outcome data for reporting purposes.
Collaborate with leadership on impact reporting.

Stakeholder Engagement & Customer Experience
Deliver customer-focused program experience to increase retention and satisfaction.
Support volunteer recruitment and engagement efforts; ensure effective delivery of necessary training for volunteers and educators as needed/assigned.
Communicate program updates and relevant information to internal teams and stakeholders.

Inventory & Administrative Support
Manage BizTown inventory and material ordering.
Assist with administrative and operational tasks as needed.

Qualifications & Skills
Bachelors degree or equivalent professional experience required.
35 years of professional experience, preferably in K12 education or youth programming.
Strong public speaking and presentation skills.
Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
Detail-oriented with strong deadline management.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment as well as stand for long periods of time and work under higher noise levels.
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel).
Valid drivers license and reliable transportation required.
Commitment to JAs mission and cultural competence.
Successful completion of all required background checks and screenings in compliance with organizational policies and applicable laws is required.
Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Junior Achievement.

* 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, frequently required to reach with hands and arms, continually required to talk or hear, frequently 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: [email protected]

No phone calls, please.