Senior Director, Workforce and Regional Economies - California Strategies & Partnerships - Jobs For The Future

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 Workforce and Regional Economies Practice:  

One of six Practices and Centers in JFF’s Solutions Group, the Workforce and Regional Economies (WRE) Practice works to transform policies and practices, build capacity and drive behavior change of federal and state public workforce and economic develop systems and organizations, labor unions, nonprofits and community-based organizations, and regional or community actors and coalitions to achieve equitable economic advancement for all. The Practice’s portfolio includes sector and industry partnerships, public workforce system transformation, public sector partnerships, and job quality. 

About the  position:   

Reporting to the Vice President of the Workforce and Regional Economies Practice, the Senior Director provides leadership for our work in California to ensure that all people within and across regions in the state have access to quality jobs that lead to economic mobility throughout their lifetime.  As a strategic, equity-oriented thought leader, you will articulate JFF’s value and expertise to a range of state, regional, and local stakeholders and collaborate to advise, design and deliver impactful programs and initiatives.   

As the primary driver of JFF’s presence in the State,  the successful candidate will lead business development and fundraising, cultivate relationships and partnerships, and build workforce and inclusive economic development initiatives utilizing and building upon an approach that is attuned to the unique and diverse political and cultural landscape of California, apply equity-centered design principles and population-specific strategies,  and influence policy and capital flows that promote prosperous regional economies.  Like all members of the Practice, the Senior Director will be accountable for individual fundraising targets and goals. 

The Senior Director will also be an internal leader, working closely with a team of California-based project leaders, and other members of the WRE Practice and will leverage the knowledge, skills, and expertise of other Centers and Practices across JFF to deepen our reach and impact in California.   

The successful candidate has strong relationships and networks with leaders and stakeholders across California’s workforce, economic development, and education systems, including state agencies, public and private sector economic development actors, community-based organizations, workers organizations, training providers, community colleges, and philanthropy. They will be equity-centered in their analysis and approach, proactive, highly strategic and skilled in designing, developing, and executing programs and partnerships, leading fundraising/business development efforts, and managing internal and external relationships and resources to deliver strong products and services of benefit to both JFF and the communities that we serve. They have a proven track record of delivering high-quality results in a fast-paced environment and leading internal teams through collaboration and influence and holding accountability for the outcomes and delivery of complex projects and initiatives. 

What you’ll do: 

Strategic Partnership Development:  

• Cultivate, manage, and expand strategic partnerships across California’s workforce and economic development systems and cross-sector regional stakeholders, as well as project-specific partnerships, to support the development and execution of compelling and impactful work in support of JFF’s goals and impact in the State. 
• Expand and deepen JFF’s California strategy and approach that is aligned with JFF’s North Star and the Workforce and Regional Economies Practice, including building relationships and representing JFF’s capacities and interests to a range of stakeholders across the State
• Build, expand and leverage JFF’s networks, strategic communications and convening power to advance this work and drive impact  

Program and Practice Leadership:  

• Manage the overall performance of a portfolio of work, including sponsorship and oversight of projects 
• Provide support, staff development, and learning opportunities to California-based colleagues from Solutions Design & Delivery and a matrixed team from across JFF with respect to subject matter and functional expertise 
• Provide consultation on projects across other Centers and Practices at JFF and JFF Labs that have a presence or implications in California
• Contribute to the strategic development of the Practice, inclusive of the research and learning agenda  
• Integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in programmatic and leadership practices   
• Model inclusive leadership and build a collaborative team amongst colleagues from other teams within JFF   

Thought Leadership:  

• Serve as subject matter expert providing guidance and strategic support to partners in the field and colleagues at JFF to shape program design and development
• Represent JFF and the work of the Practice externally in conferences, convenings, working groups and advisory panels, or through media inquiries; author blogs, reports, and other communications products that contribute to JFF’s thought leadership in the field 
• Lead and oversee the design and scoping of concepts, proposal development, relationship management, and opportunity pursuit in keeping with JFF’s strategic priorities, in collaboration with the Development Team and other programmatic leaders. 

Who you are:    

• You are a recognized leader in California who brings deep knowledge in, and vision to, workforce and economic development, place-based conditions, and community inclusion, as well as domain and sector/system expertise– as evidenced by your experiences leading portfolios of work 
• You understand and demonstrate equity-centered and inclusive analysis and practice in the way you develop relationships, steward partnerships, and develop initiatives.  
• You possess a network of relationships with key state and local workforce and economic development agencies and are familiar with their major programs and areas of investment 
• You excel working collaboratively with a diverse range of decision-makers and have a proven ability to motivate, inspire colleagues and partners and produce strong outcomes
• You have demonstrated success cultivating and managing relationships with existing and new funders, writing or leading the development of concepts and proposals, and raising money that advances an organization’s work
• You are skilled at identifying, designing and carrying out strategic advising, capacity building, and program design with and for partners, and coaching others to do so 
• You have a demonstrated ability to manage disparate and competing priorities with multiple timetables and deliverables, and to keep work on track and on budget 
• You have excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to synthesize and communicate complex issues to a variety of audiences in a variety of media and settings  
• You are highly skilled at leading in a matrixed and highly collaborative capacity to lead project teams in the successful delivery of work at varying levels of complexity  
• You possess high energy and passion for JFF’s mission and the ability to apply JFF’s core values to all areas of your work 
• 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 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 
• 30% travel is anticipated, including travel across California, internal meetings at one of JFF’s offices (DC or Boston), and conferences 

What We Offer 

At JFF, we’re fueled by the desire to create a world where everyone has equal opportunity for economic advancement. Our team works hard to push the boundaries of what is possible, and in return, we provide a gratifying work experience, competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits program that includes flexibility and choice as core values in order to support people wherever they are in their lives and careers. 

The salary range for this role is $140,000 - $165,000 annually, in alignment to JFF’s Senior Director salary band and our compensation philosophy. Starting salaries for new hires will be determined based on a combination of the new hire’s relevant experience and market demands.  

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 Tameshia Bridges Mansfield, Vice President, Workforce and Regional Economies Practice, 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.