Director, Strategy and Operations (Apply By: Friday, January 10, 2025)

About JFF

Jobs for the Future (JFF) drives transformation of the U.S. education and workforce systems to achieve equitable 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. 

DEIBW at JFF 

Diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and well-being (DEIBW) are core to JFF’s North Star and mission. We employ and build diverse teams across race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity and expression, age, and lived experiences and are constantly working toward ensuring these differences are celebrated and included. 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 equitable career advancement opportunities. Learn more about what DEIBW looks like in practice at JFF.

We seek to invest and learn from those who represent the communities we serve, particularly individuals from populations who have been explicitly or implicitly excluded from the workforce. Knowing its importance to the success of our work and the engagement of our staff members, we aspire to attract and retain a diverse team and welcome people of all backgrounds to apply to our open roles. 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.

About the position 

The Director, Strategy and Operations at JFF will serve as a strategic and operational partner, collaborating closely with the Chief Solutions Officer (CSO) and Senior Director to advance the short- and medium-term priorities of the Solutions Group. The Solutions Group includes seven programmatic units (JFF’s Center’s and Practices) and our Solutions Design and Delivery teams. This role is central to ensuring the Solutions Group – approximately 200 employees delivering 150+ projects at a given time – achieves its ambitious goals by leading with influence, driving clarity, and ensuring accountability for team decisions and action plans.

The Director will oversee a portfolio of strategic initiatives, playing a critical role in shaping and implementing the Solutions Group’s operating model and advancing new projects. Reporting to the Senior Director, the Director will collaborate with the CSO and the Solutions Group leadership team to address complex challenges, balancing strategic thinking with tactical execution to meet urgent demands. This position involves close engagement with teams across the Solutions Group to refine strategy, build strategic partnerships, and develop processes to ensure effective implementation and accountability.

This role offers an exciting opportunity for a proven leader who excels at influencing, fostering collaboration and driving impact. The ideal candidate will thrive on taking concepts from ideation to execution or piloting strategic initiatives. They will bring strong client and partner management skills, adept at engaging internal and external stakeholders and collaborate cross-functionally. This position is ideal for someone with a strong background in strategy and operations, eager to design and implement strategy with an ecosystem lens in partnership with Solutions Group leadership.

What you'll do

Facilitate Solutions Group Strategy and Planning

• Drive the development and execution of strategic initiatives to advance the Solutions Group’s critical priorities
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and optimize organizational procedures for greater efficiency and productivity
• Plan and facilitate leadership meetings and retreats, including setting goals and preparing agendas in collaboration with the CSO and Senior Director
• Collaborate with the Solutions Group Executive Assistant to ensure the CSO is fully prepared for internal and external engagements
• Ensure the Solutions Group’s strategy and execution plans align with JFF’s organizational priorities, strategic plan, and annual operating plan, as well as the CSO’s expectations
• Partner with business operations teams across JFF to ensure alignment, support communications on behalf of the CSO, and elevate critical issues as needed
• Work with Solutions Group Business Units (BUs) and Solutions Design & Delivery teams to refine strategies and ensure cross-team alignment to maximize impact
• Support the development and implementation of cohesive strategies across Solutions Group teams
• Track and hold teams accountable for meeting key milestones, such as semi-annual strategy reviews with Practices, Centers, and squad teams
• Support the execution of priority lines of business (e.g., advisory services, network strategy) and collaborate with BUs to advance key strategies (e.g., postsecondary, go-to-market initiatives)
• Oversee the delivery of cross-unit priorities (e.g., Work-Based Learning Framework, Delivering Quality Work)
• Manage and execute strategic initiatives for the Solutions Group, ensuring high-impact outcomes

Enhance Partner Engagement and Collaboration

• Ensure responsiveness to external partners, fostering strong relationships and effective communication
• Handle inbound calls or redirect them to appropriate teams as needed
• Provide support for priority Solutions Group partnerships by developing and advancing partnership opportunities
• Support initial concept development and strategic initiatives, incorporating diverse perspectives and expertise
• Empowers and hold self and others accountable for delivering on commitments consistently

Foster Solutions Group Engagement and Leadership

• Support the CSO and senior leaders in implementing change management efforts within the Solutions Group, ensuring alignment with JFF’s broader goals and priorities
• Support the Solutions Group Leadership Team in decision-making, program management, and the implementation of new initiatives to drive impact
• Promote the effectiveness of the Solutions Group’s senior leaders by ensuring they have the tools, information, and support necessary for swift decision-making and action
• Inspire and guide staff members by modeling JFF’s DEIBW values and practices, serving as a mentor and advocate for collaborative, inclusive engagement
• Prepare for and facilitate Solutions Group meetings, including bi-monthly leadership meetings, office hours, and other key engagements
• Maintain and refine the Solutions Group dashboard, ensuring it accurately reflects progress, priorities, and key metrics
• Vet, prioritize, and deliver regular communications to the Solutions Group via Teams, email, and Workplace to ensure transparency and alignment
• Collaborate with internal shared services teams (e.g., Development, Finance, Contracts, Marketing & Communications, Strategy & Impact) to ensure effective BU-centered policies and processes

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.

Who you are

• You bring significant experience leading and/or partnering with executives on strategic planning, workflow planning, and/or program management (New hires at the Director I level at JFF typically bring 10+ years of prior professional experience through a combination of full-time, part-time, internship, and/or freelance positions); Experience in the private sector, strategy consulting or product strategy is a plus
• You have the ability to center big picture strategy, stepping back when appropriate, with strong operational experience to roll up your sleeves as needed
• You have experience taking concepts from ideation to execution, or piloting strategic initiatives; you are skilled at developing strategic roadmaps that balance short-term needs with long-term strategic vision
• You possess strong client and partner management skills with an ability to build context quickly to best meet the needs of stakeholders (both internal and external)
• You are an active listener with strong communication and relationship-building skills, especially in leading through influence and navigating change
• You thrive in situations where you need to connect the dots between strategy and execution, activities happening across multiple functional areas, and stakeholders’ needs and priorities
• You excel at relationship-building across all levels, managing up effectively, and gaining buy-in through influence
• You are action-oriented and possess excellent project management, detail orientation, organization and analytic skills
• You have strong verbal and written presentation skills including the ability to communicate complex ideas in a clear and concise manner via presentations, particularly when facilitating meetings, retreats, and other events with senior leaders
• You have strong judgment, including the ability to operate with discretion when handling confidential information
• You bring energy and passion for JFF’s mission, North Star, and commitment to core values
• You are energized by stewarding JFF’s DEIBW values and practices within your day-to-day work, including embracing the differences and celebrating the diversity 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 $100,000 - $120,000 annually, in alignment to JFF’s Director I 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

Submit your resume and a thoughtful cover letter, addressed to Alyssa Jethani, Senior Director, Strategy and Operations, detailing how your skills and experience meet the position’s qualifications.

We are accepting applications through January 10, 2025. Applications will be reviewed, and candidates will receive updates on their candidacy by the week of January 27th.

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.