Program Director – Early College Expansion

About JFF

Through research, action, and advocacy, Jobs for the Future develops promising education and labor-market models that enable American families and companies to compete in a global economy. Across the United States, in partnership with foundations and other national nonprofits, JFF improves the educational and workforce pipelines leading from high school to college to family-sustaining careers. Our initiatives take us to 206 communities in 41 states and the District of Columbia.

About the Position:

JFF seeks a Program Director for Early College Expansion who brings strong external relations, organizational and management skills, and deep knowledge of high school reform. The person in this position will play a key role in JFF’s work to expand early college designs and to provide the technical assistance and professional development support required to successfully implement the early college model and raise all students to college ready standards.

Over the last decade, JFF has built expertise and a strong national reputation as an organization that supports school networks, schools, and districts to improve college and career readiness of low income young people and young people of color. The primary vehicle for this work has been the development of the early college high school initiative, which now consists of over 200 early colleges in 25 states.  In several states with the largest networks, early college is now a key high school reform strategy.  The signature of the ECHS work is the completion of substantial college credits in high school as a strategy to ensure that students will get a secure head start on completing a college credential. 

JFF currently provides strategic consulting support on promoting, designing and expanding early college high schools around the nation and provides professional development to over 150 schools. JFF is rolling out a new strategy to expand early college high schools and other college connected designs by working with districts to convert existing high schools to early colleges.

The Program Director for Early College Expansion will play a key role in developing and implementing this strategy by maintaining relationships with key partners and clients, developing new partnership and client opportunities and funding sources, and managing internal operations.

This position reports to the Associate Vice President, High School through College.

Key Responsibilities:

Works with a team and the AVP to develop and implement the early college expansion strategy, including fundraising, business development, and strategic planning.

• Develops funding proposals including concept papers and final proposals.
• Identifies and cultivates new clients and strategic partners.
• Works with a team to design a service package that aligns with JFF’s strategy and meets the needs of districts, other client organizations, and funders.
• Refines the project growth plan in response to new opportunities.
• Serves as project manager to ensure smooth implementation of complex, on-going initiatives and new projects.
• Manages JFF’s contracts.
•  Coordinates communications with state agencies, districts, school development organizations and other clients.
• Develops and manages system for tracking impact of JFF’s professional development services including coordination with partners, outside researchers, and measurement specialists. 
• Manage staff as assigned.