Senior Director, Workforce and Regional Economies Practice

Senior Director, Workforce and Regional Economies Practice 

 Position Location: Boston, DC, or Remote  

*Eastern or Central Time Zones preferred 

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 Practice works to transform policies and practices, build capacity and drive behavior change of federal and state public workforce systems and organizations, labor unions, workforce development 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, inclusive regional and economic development, and job quality.  

About the position:   

As part of the Workforce and Regional Economies Practice, the Senior Director is a new role that will provide leadership in our pursuit of federal, state, and local partnerships, by cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with public sector entities at the federal, state and local levels.  As a strategic thought leader, you will articulate JFF’s value and expertise in the field and collaborate with external partners and stakeholders to design and deliver impactful programs and initiatives.  Reporting to the Vice President of the Practice, the Senior Director will work closely with other members of the Practice, and the Development Team, to develop and implement our approach to federal and state funding opportunities including the pursuit, capture and execution of those that align with the Practice’s and JFF’s strategic priorities. This includes leading cross-functional teams, developing proposals in response to federal and state contract procurements and grant opportunities, and accountability for executing successful efforts.  

You will lead relationship cultivation and management with funders, partners, clients, and other external stakeholders including the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Commerce as well as state and local workforce development and economic development agencies.  You will work in close collaboration with leaders of JFF’s programmatic teams across its Solutions Design & Delivery team, Policy & Advocacy team, and JFFLabs to leverage all JFF’s knowledge, expertise, and skills in pursuit of impact.  Like all members of the Practice, the Senior Director will be accountable for individual fundraising targets and goals. 

The successful candidate has strong relationships with workforce development and economic development agencies and leaders at the federal or state level, other federal contractors and national organizations that work with federal agencies, and is knowledgeable about trends, challenges, policies and innovations in the workforce ecosystem. They will be 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. 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 within the workforce development ecosystem, as well as project-specific partnerships, to support the development and execution of compelling and impactful work in support of JFF’s goals. 

• Develop and execute a workforce and economic development-focused public sector partnership and business development strategy that is aligned with JFF’s strategic focus areas and the Workforce and Regional Economies Practice portfolio, including building relationships and representing JFF’s capacities and interests to agency leaders and personnel. 
• Identify and respond to federal and other public sector grant and contract opportunities to inform strategy and pursuit of mission-aligned grant pursuit.  
• Build, expand and leverage JFF’s networks, strategic communications and convening power to advance this work and drive impact  

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. 

Program and Practice Leadership:  

• Contribute to the planning and execution of engaging and impactful convenings public sector entities that elevate JFF’s visibility and voice 
• Manage the overall performance of a portfolio of work, including sponsorship and oversight of projects 

• Provide support, staff development, and learning opportunities to colleagues from Solutions Design & Delivery with respect to subject matter and functional expertise 
• 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   

Who you are:    

• You are a recognized leader who brings deep knowledge in, and vision to, workforce development as well as domain and sector/system expertise– as evidenced by your experiences leading portfolios of work  
• 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 possess a network of relationships with key federal or state workforce and economic development agencies and are familiar with their major programs and areas of investment  
• 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 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 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, if outside of the DC Metro area.  
• Candidates in Eastern and Central time zones are encouraged to apply  

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.    

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