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: By 2033, 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 in 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

Reporting to the Senior Director, Technology, the Senior Solutions Architect plays a pivotal role in shaping the technological landscape of our organization. This is a role that combines deep technical expertise and leadership with a keen understanding of business objectives to deliver scalable, efficient, and forward-thinking systems solutions. In this role, the Senior Solutions Architect will provide technical leadership to the IT team and will lead projects that improve and streamline existing processes.

This hybrid position requires a dynamic individual who excels in designing, developing, and implementing complex systems and solutions that align with the strategic goals of our business. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about technology, thrives in a dynamic and collaborative environment, and is always seeking to push the boundaries of what is possible.

What You'll Do 

Shape the organization’s technological landscape by designing and developing forward-thinking solutions and processes

Set a vision and drive technological innovation by identifying opportunities and leveraging new technologies to solve existing challenges and to position the organization for future trends
Evaluate and offer recommendations on industry trends and stay abreast of the latest technologies and industry best practices
Conduct system performance analysis and optimization and implement operational improvement initiatives to increase effectiveness, innovation, and quality
Design and maintain the overall system architecture ensuring that it meets current and future business needs
Design scalable, secure, and robust solutions while also identifying and mitigating potential risks associated with system architecture and evolving digital threats
Lead quality assurance and ensure the architectural integrity and quality of all solutions
Create and maintain comprehensive architectural documentation and system diagrams

Provide technical leadership to the IT Team and lead projects

Direct and/or support multiple projects of increasing complexity, ensuring they align with the organization's objectives and delegate work across the various projects to support team priorities and JFF’s mission
Provide technical thought leadership and guidance to the IT team in support of day-to-day operations
Lead architectural discussions to inform business decisions
Develop productive and collaborative relationships with various stakeholders, including IT teams, business units, and external vendors, to ensure cohesive and integrated solutions

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 bring experience leading systems architecture strategy for an organization, with a proven track record in designing and implementing technology solutions that drive innovative best practices to implement key technology trends (New hires at the Senior Director level at JFF typically bring 15+ years of prior professional experience through a combination of full-time, part-time, internship, and/or freelance positions)
You possess strong experience architecting technology solutions requiring knowledge of:
Operating Systems (e.g., MacOS, Windows)
Cloud Computing (e.g., AWS)
Data Analytics/BI Tools (e.g., Domo, PowerBI)
Productivity and CollaborationTools (e.g., Microsoft 365, GSuite, Zoom, WebEx, Social Media Platforms)
Business Operations Tools (e.g., Oracle NetSuite, Salesforce, ADP, Greenhouse)
IT and System Management Tools (e.g., Microsoft Entra ID, Jamf, Zendesk, VMWare)
You have experience with SaaS products, web architecture/design, and open-source tools
You have a deep understanding of architectural design patterns, best practices, and emerging technologies, ideally with experience supporting national nonprofits
You have knowledge of cybersecurity principles and experience in building secure and resilient systems
You have deep knowledge and demonstrable expertise in programming languages and frameworks, database design and management, network architecture and data communication protocols
You have experience with conducting technology research and staying up to date with the latest trends and best practices in IT, with familiarity regarding industry-specific regulations
You have exceptional problem-solving and analytical skills and have the ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
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 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
You are able and willing to travel up to 20%, dependent on projects.

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. 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 $140,000 - $175,000 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.

To Apply 

As part of your application, please include your resume and a thoughtful cover letter, addressed to Marcy Jenkins, Senior Director, Technology, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position.

We are accepting applications through December 20, 2024. Applications submitted by that date will be reviewed and candidates will receive updates on their candidacy by the week of January 13, 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.

Position Location: Hybrid (Boston, MA or Washington, DC)

About JFF