Employment Application
Leadership Development Specialist
Business Professionals of America
Full-Time, Fully Remote | Columbus, Ohio
Business Professionals of America (BPA), a national nonprofit student organization headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.
Join a team dedicated to developing student leaders through unmatched opportunities in learning, professional growth, and service—and help shape the future of leadership development in one of the nation's largest career and technical student organizations.
Position Summary
As the Leadership Development Specialist at Business Professionals of America (BPA), you will lead the organization’s efforts to inspire, train, and support student leaders at all levels—from local chapters to the national Executive Council. This full-time, remote position focuses on developing leadership skills through engaging programs, personalized coaching, and hands-on experiences that align with BPA’s mission of empowering students to discover their passion and change the world.
You will report directly to the Executive Director/CEO and serve as the primary staff liaison to BPA’s Executive Council. In this role, you will provide year-round support and training to national student officers, collaborate with staff across departments, and ensure that leadership development is integrated into BPA’s conferences, competitive events, and member experiences.
Key Responsibilities
Executive Council Leadership
- Coach and support the Executive Council through orientation, ongoing training, conference preparation, and elections
- Serve as the main liaison between national student officers and BPA staff, partners, and stakeholders
- Manage the Executive Council budget and logistics in collaboration with the CEO
- Oversee officer compliance with BPA youth protection policies and leadership standards
- Maintain a comprehensive database of current and alumni officers to support engagement and mentorship
Leadership Program Development
- Design, implement, and evaluate a year-round leadership development programming for students at the chapter, state, and national levels, including the Student Leadership Summit
- Provide leadership training resources and technical assistance to local and state advisors
- Facilitate virtual and in-person leadership workshops, including BPA’s Student Certification Series
- Analyze leadership program metrics to inform growth and program improvement
- Identify and recommend new platforms, methodologies, and tools for leadership development
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with the Director of Education and Professional Learning on integrating leadership development into BPA’s WSAP competitive events and educational programs
- Partner with the Director of Strategic Programs and Experiences to deliver leadership-focused content at national conferences and events
- Support new chapter development and member recruitment through leadership-focused outreach
- Work with marketing, membership, and development teams to create leadership-focused resources, content, and partnerships
- Cultivate corporate and nonprofit partnerships that support BPA’s leadership development mission
- Contribute to special projects as assigned by the Executive Director/CEO
What We’re Looking For
Ideal candidates will possess:
- A passion for student leadership and a commitment to developing the next generation of leaders
- Experience designing and delivering leadership development programs for youth or young adults
- Excellent facilitation, coaching, and communication skills across diverse audiences
- Strong organizational and project management skills with attention to detail
- A collaborative mindset and experience working in cross-functional or remote teams
- Familiarity with nonprofit, educational, or student organization settings is a plus
- A mission-driven approach and desire to positively impact student outcomes at scale
Working Conditions & Compensation
- Location: Remote; BPA is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio
- Schedule: Full-time (exempt); with travel required for national events and conferences (including weekends and evenings)
- Compensation: Competitive salary based on experience, plus benefits
How to Apply
Interested candidates should complete the following pages of information and submit the following:
- A résumé outlining relevant experience
- A cover letter describing your interest in BPA, your approach to leadership development and experiences, and how your background aligns with our mission
Position open until filled.
Business Professionals of America is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and stakeholders.