Director Workforce Development

About JFF: 

Jobs for the Future (JFF) drives transformation of the American workforce and education systems to achieve equitable economic advancement for all.

About the position: 

JFF’s Director, Workforce Development will be a new position focused on the diversification of the information technology sector through the development of on-ramps, high-quality training opportunities, and credentialing to design, strengthen, and scale solutions that create equitable conditions and clear paths to economic advancement for all. The Program Director will lead a team to support the scaling of a suite of short-term, online, employer-developed credentials within the community college ecosystem that prepare individuals for middle- and high-skill tech roles. This will be achieved by managing the recruitment of colleges, leading a national network of colleges implementing credentials, providing technical assistance, and developing relationships with employers to support hiring certificate completers. This work will also be focused on supporting career entry and advancement for groups currently underrepresented in the tech sector, especially women, Black workers, and Latinx workers. The Director will serve as a national subject matter expert, providing thought leadership to colleges, employers, and other stakeholders. The Director will supervise a small team as well as collaborate with teams across JFF. This position will report to a Senior Director within the Work Unit.  

The successful candidate has a progressive programmatic leadership profile, is highly skilled in designing and developing new partnerships and managing internal and external relationships and stakeholders, and possesses in-depth knowledge of community college systems. They have a proven track record of delivering high-quality results in a fast-paced environment and in managing relationships with corporate funders.

What you'll do:  

Project Management

• Manage direction and implementation of a significant credential scaling initiative across approximately 100 community colleges. 
• Oversee programmatic operations, including managing project budgets, work plans, timelines, and completing high-quality project deliverables.

Strategic and Analytical Thinking

• Lead recruitment, technical assistance, partnerships, employer engagement to support rapid scaling of the credential suite among colleges. Provide oversight of an internal team focused on research and evaluation of the initiative.
• Develop a strategy to build employer engagement and support for the credentials, with a focus on building recognition and cultivating support for placement or work-based learning opportunities to completers.
• Provide subject matter expertise on the integration of short-term credentials into community college programs, including both academic pathways and non-credit workforce programming.

Relationship Building and Management

• Lead and support the development of key external partnerships (funders, partners, etc.), including relationships with national and regional employers. Build and maintain strong relationships and partnerships with funders, consultants, employers, and a range of stakeholders within the community college ecosystem.
• Coordinate and manage staff from across JFF and external consultants to create cohesive and effective project teams.
• Supervise a small team of direct reports in the Work Unit, supporting their professional development within JFF

Growth and Learning Mindset

• Build the capacity of JFF staff to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into their work.
• Contribute to business and partnership development through overseeing the design and scoping of concepts, proposal development, relationship management, research on funders and markets, and opportunity pursuit in keeping with JFF’s strategic priorities.  
• Leverage JFF's networks, strategic communications and convening power to advance this work and drive impact. 

Who you are:  

• You have a minimum of 10+ years of professional work experience with at least 3-5 years in community college and/or workforce development. You have strong knowledge of workforce innovations within the tech sector, ideally with knowledge of the ecosystem of existing short-term credentials.
• You have a commitment to contributing to an equitable work environment and embedding equity into all your work 
• You have a proven track record of experience managing a major initiative and/or lines of business for a corporate funder.
• You are highly strategic, and able to balance that vision with detail-oriented implementation. You understand how decisions get made, you can take in multiple inputs at the same time, and you evaluate what choices are on the table to take action and chart a path forward. You are a seasoned project manager 
• You have excellent communication skills – both written and spoken – and can translate complex ideas into accessible messaging for a wide range of audiences
• You are excellent at working both in teams and independently. You are able to manage others to complete high-quality and timely project work
• You possess high energy and passion for JFF’s mission; ability to apply JFF’s core values to all areas of your work
• You model inclusive leadership, working effectively with diverse staff, and building and stewarding an organizational culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion
• You build positive, effective, collaborative cultures and teams wherever you work
• You are a curious and adaptive learner, with a willingness to take in new information, perspectives and data to inform your work
• You demonstrate a growth mindset and a desire to continuously improve in your work and approach
• You are willing to travel on occasion (the frequency will vary according to mix of projects) 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at JFF: JFF is committed to sustaining a diverse community with a work environment that is welcoming, respectful, and encouraging to all. JFF fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and cultivates diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience.  As part of our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, JFF strongly encourages people impacted by the criminal legal system to apply.

To apply: As part of your application, please include your resume and a brief cover letter, addressed to Sara Lamback, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position. JFF offers a competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience and skills.  

JFF offers a competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience and skills.