Director, Workforce Partnerships Jobs

About the Linked Learning Alliance

The Linked Learning Alliance (“the Alliance”) leads a movement to help every young person determine their own future through Linked Learning. It’s a proven approach to education that integrates rigorous academics with real-world learning and strong support services to prepare all students for success in college and career. Our role is to advance high-quality implementation, policy, research, and advocacy in support of Linked Learning. We partner with K–12 districts, higher education institutions, and employers to establish accelerated, seamless learning experiences that lead to postsecondary success and careers in high-wage, high-growth fields. One of our current priorities is the Golden State Pathways Program, a $500M state initiative to build high-quality college and career pathways across California.

About the Position

The Director of Workforce Partnerships will play a key role in managing the Alliance’s new employer engagement strategy. Working in close collaboration with the Vice President of Policy and Partnerships, the Director of Workforce Partnerships will strengthen the Alliance’s connections with employers and workforce organizations. The Director will also work cross-functionally within the Alliance, with a particular focus on the Alliance’s work supporting districts with high-quality implementation of workforce partnerships. The Director’s efforts will ensure Linked Learning provides students with the skills necessary for careers in high-wage, high-skill, high-growth sectors—and that employers have the future workforce they need to drive California’s economy.

The Director of Workforce Partnerships will help define excellence in career-connected educational pathways, and facilitate links between K-12 education, higher education, and the workforce. Specifically, the Director will manage the Alliance’s new Employer Advisory Boards that will bring together K-12, higher education, and employer leaders in California to advise on the workforce needs in specific industry sectors. The Director will support high-quality implementation of work-based learning and education-employer partnerships by developing tools and providing coaching to local education agencies, employers, intermediary organizations, and others.

Essential Functions

• Manage the Alliance’s new Employer Advisory Boards to convene top leaders in business and workforce development across California, with a focus on the four priority sectors in the Golden State Pathways Program: healthcare, computer science, education, and climate-related STEM.

• Support the development of new pathway-specific programs of study, beginning with the Golden State Pathways priority sectors, to ensure alignment to employer needs.

• Manage key employer partnership initiatives for the Alliance.

• Support the development of strong partnerships with employers and workforce development organizations to advance high-quality college and career pathways in California.

• Oversee a landscape analysis of employer and workforce opportunities across California.

• Lead the development of tools and resources that facilitate high-quality work-based learning and partnerships between employers and educators.

• Provide guidance and coaching on work-based learning (and other topics at the intersection of education and workforce) to local education agencies, intermediary organizations, and others.

• Support strategic communications related to employers.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in education, public policy, business administration, or other related fields from a four-year college or university, or commensurate years of professional experience and demonstrated success. Master’s degree in the above fields is preferred.

• Minimum of five years of professional experience in education or business. Experience in workforce development, talent pipeline management, or education is preferred.

• Exceptional interpersonal, collaboration, networking, and relationship-building skills. Candidates with experience building strong partnerships with both education and employer stakeholders are preferred.

• Significant practical experience in the domain of education and workforce partnerships, including, but not limited to: Linked Learning, work-based learning, career technical education (CTE), apprenticeships, workforce investment boards, and college and career pathways. Background in one of the Golden State Pathways Program sectors (healthcare, computer science, education, and climate-related STEM) is preferred.

• Exceptional project management skills and demonstrated ability to leverage technology to facilitate team collaboration.

• Ability to organize, analyze, and present quantitative data that can inform decision-making and strategic direction.

• A deep-rooted belief in the ability of all students to achieve college and career success, and a passion for advancing economic mobility for young people.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, such via hybrid work environments. Solid judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• Effective, detail-oriented, versatile, and action-driven.

• Excellent professional communication skills. This includes writing and editing skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and streamline information.

• Ability to work positively and collaboratively with team members at all levels, and function effectively on diverse teams.

• Willingness to learn and a genuine interest in the core work of the Alliance.

• A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Compensation

Linked Learning Alliance offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package.

Location

California. Preference for Los Angeles area.

Status

Exempt

To Apply

If you would like to apply, please send your resume and a cover letter to Spencer Sherman, Vice President of Policy & Partnerships, via email to [email protected]. Write “Director of Workforce Partnerships application” in the subject line. In your cover letter, please share how your experience, competencies, skills, and interests are a good match for this position.

Priority deadline: 8/13/23. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications received by 8/13/23 or earlier will be given priority. Applicants may apply after the priority deadline if the position is not yet filled.

For questions, please contact Spencer Sherman, Vice President of Policy & Partnerships: [email protected].

The Linked Learning Alliance is an equal opportunity employer. The Alliance is committed to equity, embraces diversity as an asset, and practices inclusivity. These values strengthen our culture, help us fulfill our mission, and contribute to a better world. We are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.