Postsecondary Senior Director

About Us

Junior Achievement aims to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. Junior Achievement is the world?s largest organization that gives students relevant, hands-on learning experiences that teach them to manage their money, plan for their economic future, own businesses, develop readiness for careers, college, or technical training, and make smart academic and... financial choices.

JA Worldwide, representing all Junior Achievement organizations globally, was nominated for the 2022, 2023, and 2024 for the Nobel Peace Prize. JA was nominated due to the organization?s global reach, success in delivering economic empowerment to youth at scale, and its ability to find unity in diversity. For centuries, unemployment and poverty have led to political instability, violence, and war. By economically empowering youth on all continents, JA serves as a conduit for peace.

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Postsecondary will lead the channel strategy for partnerships with postsecondary institutions/higher ed organizations and skills training programs. Through partnership with our JA Local Areas, this individual will focus on building and managing a network of postsecondary/higher education partners that help scale JA USA?s workforce development programs. This role is responsible for expanding the organization?s footprint in the postsecondary/higher education space and will ensure that JA Areas are equipped to deliver JA?s programs to postsecondary institutions, and to leverage the postsecondary work to the benefit of an overall workforce strategy.

This position is a part of a core leadership team reporting to the VP New Channels, Head of Workforce at JA USA. Together, with the other Directors/Senior Directors on the team, this position will drive the organization?s workforce development initiatives by expanding and optimizing strategic distribution channels that deliver JA USA?s Employer Solutions/Workforce Development portfolio of products, services, and activities. Each director will focus on building and managing key partner channels in their respective domains to scale program impact, optimize delivery, and ensure alignment with JA?s mission to empower young people with the skills and experiences needed to succeed in the workforce. This is a leadership role that requires supporting the interpretation and implementation of strategy as well as aligning projects, services, and activities to strategy, and leading the implementation of those aligned projects across a matrixed shared services team and within a federated not for profit organization.

Essential Functions
? Develop and implement a strategic channel management plan focused on postsecondary/higher education institutions, ensuring alignment with the Employer Solutions/Workforce development goals business unit goals.
? Developing strategy and using strategic frameworks to communicate ?how/where to play, how to win.?
? Serve as the primary point of contact for JA Areas operating in this channel.
? Build and maintain strong relationships with JA Areas and colleges, universities, and other types of postsecondary institutions to drive the adoption and implementation of JA?s workforce programs.
? Identify ideal partners/vendors to support go-to-market strategy or product strategies.
? Manage products in the postsecondary product segment.
? Support JA Areas who are leading pilots.
? Optimize existing higher education channels, ensuring that delivery partners have the necessary resources and support for successful program delivery.
? Use project management best practices to manage program timelines, resources, and outcomes, ensuring programs are delivered on time and within scope.
? Track and report on channel performance, using insights to inform strategy and identify new opportunities for partnership expansion.

Required Qualifications
? 10 to 12 years of experience in higher education or a postsecondary serving institution (i.e. ed tech), or channel management, or a focus on managing strategic partnerships.
? Experience developing strategy and aligning projects to a strategy.
? In-depth understanding of the higher education and postsecondary landscape, including policies and regulations, challenges and priorities,
? Experience working in, or directly with community colleges, universities, or technical schools.
? Strong experience in developing and executing channel strategies, with a proven track record of managing external partnerships.
? Strong communication and negotiation skills, with experience managing stakeholders at all levels.
? Process oriented and data-driven mindset with experience using metrics and insights to inform channel strategies and program management.

Desired Qualifications
? Bachelor?s degree in Higher Education, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field (Master?s or PhD/EdD preferred).
? A higher ed rolodex of postsecondary leaders is preferred.
? Previous attendance at national conferences for higher education institutions or related ed tech.
? Experience or knowledge of career services higher education settings, including enrollment management.
? Knowledge of economic development trends and how they intersect with higher education policies, processes, and informal impact.
? Strong leadership skills, with experience managing teams and external partnerships.
? Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives and partnerships simultaneously.
? Leadership experience, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive partnership success.
? Experience optimizing staffing using shared services and contractors or project- based work.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $96,000 to $113,000 annually, with the exact salary depending on prior work experience and the assessment of one?s fit for the role.

Benefits

JA USA?s health care benefits provide coverage when needed?focusing on programs that support and encourage healthy living and your overall well-being. We offer medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, paid time off, and 401(k).

Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

JA USA?s success depends on our ability to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. We?re committed to attracting, developing, retaining, and promoting a diverse workforce and infusing DE&I throughout all our internal practices. Every JA USA employee brings diverse talents to our work, and we encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds and all walks of life to apply.

Additional Information

JA USA does not provide sponsorship for employment visas for this position. All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship, now or in the future.

Application Process

Apply via LinkedIn. The application deadline is November 01, 2024

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