Associate Vice President, Young Adult Talent 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:  

The Associate Vice President of Young Adult Talent Development will develop, refine, oversee, and drive strategy for JFF’s work with states, regions, and communities across the country to ensure career track employment for young adults facing significant barriers in the labor market, including opportunity youth. This is a pivotal point in JFF’s long history of impact in the young adult field, and this leader will have the opportunity to evolve and grow our strategies and efforts focused on young adults in the context of a fast-growing organization. 

The AVP will lead new and existing program work towards this end, including proposal development, funder relations, management of multiple partner and client relationships, project oversight and management of multiple budgets. They will also have primary responsibility for raising funds for JFF’s young adult talent development initiatives, including through close coordination and integration with other system change and innovation efforts across the organization. As a visible leader in this space, the AVP will represent JFF with a wide array of stakeholders, including educators, community college leadership, workforce development officials, state and local school system leaders, funders, community-based organization leaders, new training entrepreneurs, employers, and young adults.   

What you'll do:   

Lead JFF’s Young Adult Talent Development Strategy  

• Lead process of shaping and implementing new and existing programs and initiatives that both support JFF strategic goals/mission and respond to and influence developments in the field  
• Raise the visibility of JFF’s national brand among key stakeholders and influencers; uphold, enhance and expand JFF’s reputation and influence as a substantial contributor and expert in the young adult talent development space  
• Identify, prioritize and represent JFF at high level public forums and contribute to JFF’s thought leadership in relevant domains through publications, blogs, and other media  

Drive Strategy Through Program Management & Leadership 

• Establish and maintain systems for leveraging work across initiatives and projects across all JFF units to build new opportunities 
• Provide leadership for a range of projects in designing and delivering implementation assistance to clients in shaping policies and programs 
• Conceive of and implement high-quality initiatives, publications, products, and deliverables  
• Facilitate interactive, high-level meetings with diverse stakeholders 

• Manage multiple budgets, timelines, workplans and staff within defined projects from initiation through completion 
• Coach and develop a team, promoting a strong culture of high performance, accountability, continuous improvement and collaboration  

Manage Business and Partnership Development Efforts 

• Lead fundraising efforts, including developing and maintaining relationships with key funders 

• Cultivate strategic alliances, partnerships and client relationships to help increase JFF’s impact and influence at a national level 
• Cultivate a wide and diverse range of partners/influencers to advance the young adult talent development agenda in the short, medium, and long-term.  

Who you are:   

• You have at least 12 years of professional experience in education or workforce development, with a significant focus on supporting young adults and opportunity youth populations 

• You have a track record of leadership in young adult talent development initiatives at the state, regional, or community level, including accomplishments, networks, and emerging or visible thought leadership that can translate at a national scale 
• You have existing networks nationally within the young adult talent development space and an ability to leverage those relationships in support of partnership and business development efforts  
• You have prior experience serving as a thought leadership or external face of an organization/program through your writing, presentations, and more  
• You bring demonstrated success with fundraising from a variety of sources, including foundations and government 
• You are familiar with best practices, leading organizations, policy landscape and research relevant to improving career outcomes and economic mobility for young adults facing barriers in the labor market   

• You bring demonstrated capacity to conceptualize, plan, launch, manage and provide strong direction based in evidence to large, complex initiatives with clear outcomes and accountability measures and multiple clients under tight timelines  
• You bring substantial experience managing direct reports and teams effectively, providing mentorship, direct feedback, thought partnership, coaching and performance management to support their success and employee development, particularly during times of growth and change 
• You model inclusive leadership, working effectively with colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds, and building and stewarding an organizational culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion  
• You demonstrate a growth mindset with the ability to create and maintain standards of high performance and accountability, and foster innovation, continuous learning, and improvement.  
• You have a willingness to travel (up to 30%) to maintain and develop new client relationships, visit training sites and schools, and present to diverse audiences and stakeholders. (Note: JFF requires covid vaccination for all work-related travel.)  

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 thoughtful cover letter, addressed to Joel Vargas outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position.  

Positions at JFF are not eligible for employer-visa sponsorship or open to F-1 student visa holders. 

All JFF employees are required to be fully up to date on their vaccinations against COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption has been requested and a reasonable accommodation approved. 

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