Associate Vice President, Corporate Relations (Apply By: Monday, March 3, 2025)

About JFF

Jobs for the Future (JFF) drives transformation of the U.S. education and workforce systems to achieve economic advancement for all. Seeing that millions of people are unfairly shut out of quality jobs and the chance for a better life, our goal is to align education, workforce, and employment changemakers toward a shared North Star: In 10 years, 75 million people facing systemic barriers to advancement will work in quality jobs.

To achieve that goal, we design solutions, scale best practices, influence policy and action, and invest in innovation. With a staff of more than 300 people across the country working remotely and in offices in Boston (headquarters), Washington, DC, and Oakland, California, we operate at the national, state, and local levels, forging deep partnerships with employers, investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and education and workforce development providers to break down barriers and reimagine what’s possible.

We’re on a path of ongoing growth and expanding impact. We have an operating budget of $105 million, and we’re funded by dozens of leading government agencies, foundations, and corporations. Learn more about JFF and join us as we build a future that works—for everyone. 

Equal Employment Opportunity at JFF 

Inclusion, belonging, and well-being are core to JFF’s North Star and mission, and we seek to invest in and learn from those who represent the communities we serve as it is important to the success of our work and the engagement of our staff members. We aim to cultivate a culture that centers the overall care, well-being, and success of the employee through flexible work hours, balanced workloads, professional development, and career advancement opportunities for all.

JFF is a fair chance employer and in alignment to our North Star, we strongly encourage individuals whose highest level of education attained is less than a 4-year degree; People of Color; and people with records to apply to our open roles.

About the Position

JFF has experienced a period of unprecedented growth in revenue, programming, and funding pursuit over the last 5 years. As such, the Development Team is expanding, both in number and function, not only to align with this growth, but also to meet significant needs for more flexible resources to support organizational capacity and innovation. One of the main elements that will drive the success of JFF’s overall fundraising and development efforts is the introduction of several new positions including the newly created position of Associate Vice President, Corporate Relations. 

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Associate Vice President, Corporate Relations role offers the opportunity to create a best-in-class corporate fundraising program to advance fundraising goals in support of JFF’s mission. This person will be situated on our central development team to provide creative, results-oriented leadership to JFF’s Corporate pursuits. They will have the opportunity to build upon JFF’s current $30M+ corporate portfolio to renew current funders and increase overall corporate funding through the strategic management of new and existing relationships. They will collaborate with colleagues on the Development team, Business Units (JFF’s program areas) and senior leadership and will leverage a OneJFF approach with effective fundraising strategies to meet ambitious fundraising goals.  JFF has also launched a $60 million North Star Fundraising campaign designed to increase flexible funding, and this new position will play a key role in this campaign. The AVP will also have the opportunity to manage and work closely with the Director, Corporate and Foundations.

The ideal candidate for this role brings extensive experience in corporate fundraising and is a strategic and consultative partner who possesses exceptional fundraising knowledge, is a seasoned solicitor, a creative relationship manager and a top-notch communicator. They’ll be energized by serving as a thought partner to senior leaders across JFF while also having the ability to own their own fundraising portfolio and executing on that work. It's also an exciting opportunity to build and scale a corporate fundraising program at JFF.

What You'll Do 

Advance JFF’s mission through the development and leadership of a bold corporate fundraising strategy

• Lead the execution of a comprehensive corporate fundraising program with an annual goal of $40M in partnership with the Chief Development Officer; Secure unrestricted and flexible gifts/grants while retaining and growing existing support
• Manage, grow, solicit, and diversify a portfolio of 50+ high value corporate prospects and donors, whose giving range or capacity exceeds high six-figures and larger
• Collaborating closely with Development colleagues, program staff in Business Units, as well as senior leadership, to leverage full philanthropic potential
• Build and champion a culture of fundraising that enables strong relationships between JFF and its corporate funders
• Lead strategy development for JFF’s top corporate funders ensuring a OneJFF approach to corporate relationships.
• Collaborate with program staff across JFF to become thoroughly familiar with a wide array of programs and communicate them in a compelling manner – both verbally and in writing – to funders and prospects
• Envision, build and enhance complex corporate relationships ensuring we maximize the potential of each relationship, and develop creative partnerships that provide sustained and growing support for JFF Business Units and our North Star Campaign.
• Serve as a key member of the Development Leadership Team ensuring that Corporate fundraising is integrated fully into JFF’s fundraising efforts

Expand influence of JFF's mission through partnership development and innovation

• Proactively build, cultivate, and expand strategic partnerships with corporate partners and other stakeholders
• Advance JFF’s influence and market position in the field by leveraging specialized knowledge in compelling corporate fundraising strategies and approaches aligned to JFF’s North Star
• Leverage networks, strategic communications and convening power to advance the Development teams work and drive impact 
• Champion change initiatives and manage risk to optimize people and processes for the organization
• Mentor and support staff development, and learning opportunities for colleagues within the Development team

Who You Are

The qualifications listed within the job description are intended as a guide and we do not expect candidates to bring all experiences and skills listed. Research supports that self-selecting out of potential professional opportunities is particularly common among individuals with identities that are marginalized in professional spaces. So, if you believe that you can meet the overall expectations of the position, we encourage you to apply so that we have an opportunity to learn more about you and the unique strengths you would bring to the work.

• You are a field-recognized leader who brings substantial experience developing, scaling and managing corporate fundraising programs, ideally within the non-profit or social impact sector (New hires at the Associate Vice President level at JFF typically bring 15-20 years of prior professional experience through a combination of full-time, part-time, internship, and/or freelance positions). 
• You have extensive knowledge of corporate philanthropy including grants, corporate foundations, marketing engagement, pro-bono support, fee for service and emerging trends
• You have experience evolving corporate relationships from programmatic and transactional to holistic and strategic; You create fundraising opportunities through your leadership
• You have a track record of serving as a thought partner to senior leaders around corporate fundraising and are also energized by balancing advisement with execution
• You prioritize professional development and other learning opportunities to stay current with advances in the field; You are able to share best practices and relevant trends to inform your team and organization’s work
• You have a proven track record in relationship-building, donor cultivation and solicitation and securing multi-million dollar support from F500 corporate sources
• You have excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and organizational skills
• You are an experienced people manager; You bring experience mentoring and empowering others to allocate resources and manage priorities effectively to keep them focused on results
• You have the ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities simultaneously while meeting internal and external deadlines
• You are able to conceptualize funding needs in a way that is compelling to prospects and donors
• You listen actively, ask effective questions, and foster an environment of open dialogue, candid feedback, and psychological safety
• You know how to communicate with multiple audiences, including adapting the message contents, formats and delivery channels for optimal impact and influence
• You possess high energy and passion for JFF’s mission and North Star, and the ability to apply JFF’s core values to all areas of your work   
• You are energized by stewarding JFF’s inclusion, belonging, and well-being values and practices within your day-to-day work, including embracing and celebrating the differences that each individual brings to JFF 
• You value building positive and collaborative relationships with others, including people whose identities and backgrounds differ from your own

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. 

JFF has offices in Boston, Oakland, and Washington, DC; employees are welcome to use JFF office space to work in-person or hybrid, or completely remote. To improve the employee experience and promote productivity while working remotely, JFF offers an annual home office stipend to all regular full-time and part-time employees. In addition, new employees receive office equipment as needed.

The hiring range for this role is $160,000 - $200,000 annually, in alignment to JFF’s Associate Vice President 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.

To Apply 

As part of your application, please include your resume and a thoughtful cover letter, addressed to Amy Seusing, Chief Development Officer, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position.

We are accepting applications through Monday, March 3, 2025. Applications submitted by that date will be reviewed and candidates will receive updates on their candidacy by the week of March 17, 2025.

At JFF, we’re also committed to accessibility and want to ensure that everyone, including people with disabilities, can fully access and engage with our application and hiring process. If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability and/or have specific access/accommodation needs in order to fully participate in our hiring process, please contact us at hiringaccommodations@jff.org.

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