Director, Advisory and Capacity Building (Remote)

About One Million Degrees: 

One Million Degrees accelerates community college students’ progress on career pathways to economic mobility. 

Over 60% of students who start community college do not complete a degree or successfully transfer to a four-year institution. However, 84% of jobs in the US require skills training beyond high school. OMD’s holistic support model is designed to support community college students as they work toward degrees and careers. From tutors and coaches to financial assistance and professional development, OMD helps community college students succeed in school, work, and life, transforming their futures and the futures of those around them for generations.  

The OMD student support model is rooted in evaluation and evidence: A randomized controlled trial conducted with the University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab shows that OMD scholars are 70% more likely to enroll, 94% more likely to persist, 73% more likely to earn a degree.  

OMD is pursuing scale both through its direct service model with the City Colleges of Chicago and by launching a new, national expansion division: Advisory and Capacity Building (ACB), which provides consulting support and technical assistance to organizations seeking to build out OMD programming in their own unique contexts. ACB has developed or is developing four service offerings as part of this work that are focused on: 1) advancing community college completion, particularly for low-income, first generation and students of color; 2) supporting more equitable transfer outcomes for students transitioning from community college to university; 3) strengthening dual enrollment pathways to facilitate more high school graduates matriculating in and completing community college; and 4) propelling economic mobility post-graduation by aiding in the transition from community college to the workforce. We currently have a portfolio of four pilot projects—with partners throughout the country—in deploying these service offerings.  

Through this growing body of work, OMD seeks to promote its role as a national model for sustainable, scalable, and systemic change.  

OMD Values: 

OMD is deeply committed to our core values, as demonstrated in the work we do, our approach to change and growth, and our commitment to our staff.  

• Equity: We address historical and existing systemic inequities by taking a holistic approach to supporting students on their path to economic mobility. 

• Excellence: We address historical and existing systemic inequities by taking a holistic approach to supporting students on their path to economic mobility. 

• Community: We unite around putting students first, collaborating with partners, and celebrating our collective wins. 

• Learning: We each adapt to a changing world and refine our approach to support students, community members, staff, and stakeholders along the way. 

• Amplify: We advocate for our students and share what we've learned as leaders in the field. 

Position Summary:  

To help support our continued growth, One Million Degrees (OMD) is seeking a collaborative, strategic, and equity minded leader, that will serve as the Director, Advisory and Capacity Building and report to the Principal, Advisory and Capacity Building. 

Specific duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:  

• Client and project management  

• Provide project management for a portfolio of up to three multi-year pilot projects. Coordinate and drive timely execution of ACB’s consulting support, which includes developing and overseeing work plans, managing timelines, and contributing significantly to high-quality deployment of service offerings; 

• Liaise with partners (clients) and oversee day-to-day communications and information  infrastructure for collaborating with project stakeholders. Organize virtual and in-person meetings of key stakeholders and maintain agendas to facilitate focused work sessions; 

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis on behalf of partners, including gathering information through data analysis, interviews, surveys, focus groups, and desk research; 

• Support the design and deployment of high-quality technical assistance to a range of clients, including assessing their strengths and gaps to develop recommendations for improvement. Facilitate partner satisfaction while ensuring that joint OMD and partner goals are being met. 

• Development and refinement of product/service offerings 

• Contribute to developing ACB’s “minimum viable products” (or service offerings), with oversight from Principals, refining the design and further developing the accompanying collateral for service offerings for deploying holistic supports focused on 1) community college completion; 2) transfer; 3) dual enrollment; and 4) transition from college to career. 

• Strategic vision and external engagement 

• Contribute to envisioning and developing new strategies that facilitate growth and impact for the ACB portfolio. This includes identifying opportunities for new service offerings or enhancements to existing offerings; 

• Serve as a thought partner to identify the most compelling strategies to drive equity and inclusively engage partners through pilot projects; 

• Help orchestrate strategy to track the success of OMD’s pilot initiatives—both in administering effective technical service and in contributing to improved student outcomes— in partnership with OMD’s data team and relevant third party evaluators.  

• Participate in activities like authoring reports, white papers, blogs or other communication efforts to highlight OMD programming and impact; 

Qualifications and Requirements:   

Qualified candidates must possess a “can-do” work ethic and mindset, strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, and must believe in the role of OMD’s holistic program model in the success of community college students. This is a position requiring evolving responsibilities, and we are looking for someone to be agile with us as our ACB portfolio grows and is refined. The position is ideal for a highly-motivated leader and team player who wants to play a pivotal role in OMD’s growth and development.  

Education  

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree and training in public policy, education or other relevant field preferred. 

Experience 

• At least seven years of relevant professional experience, with a successful track record managing multi-partner strategic relationships and leading innovative projects to impact organizational growth. Some consulting experience preferred, especially with an understanding of how to translate user needs into service offerings.  

• Content expertise in K-12 education, higher education and/or workforce spaces through experience working with a wide range of stakeholders, including school districts, higher education institutions, state education agencies, industry associations, employers, advocacy groups, national education organizations, and foundations. Particular knowledge sought regarding strategies to propel economic mobility among low-income, first-generation and students of color attending community college.  

• Some background directly engaging with and serving students is desired. Demonstrated orientation for centering the student experience in program design is requisite; 

• Comfort with making decisions independently, combined with an ability to work collaboratively with a variety of external stakeholders. Experience with strategic planning, product development and/or business development processes;  

• Experience with launching new bodies of work or startup organizations a plus. 

Skills:   

• Proven ability in client management, consulting protocols, product management, and project management, including setting and maintaining detailed project plans to coordinate teams around complex, long-term initiatives and goals;   

• Strong analytic, writing, and facilitation skills, and the ability to collaborate with stakeholders across a variety of sectors.  

• Knowledge of best practices in product development, operational infrastructure, and human-centered design is a plus.  

• Experience establishing and maintaining consistent operational systems for large-scale projects or portfolios.  

• Proficient practice with issues of diversity, specifically around race, class, gender, ability, and equity in the workplace. Effective storytelling that is honest and represents diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Prioritizes diversity and inclusion considerations when making strategic decisions and relationships that advance the mission.  

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively—candidates should be self-motivated and comfortable within a largely virtual working environment, and also enthusiastic team players open to feedback and collaboration.  

• Well-rounded interpersonal skill set, with the presence and capacity to build relationships, work effectively in teams, and facilitate joint problem-solving with other staff and external partners.  

• Excellent organizational skills and keen attention to detail, with demonstrated experience and ability to prioritize work and manage time on multiple projects and tasks to meet deadlines.  

Traits:  

• A learner: Curious, eager to learn and innovation with an orientation toward “failing forward”  and experimentation;   

• A hustler: Highly motivated by keeping many balls in the air in order to expand OMD’s impact;    

• A visionary: A bold, outcome-focused approach that is informed, data-driven and empathetic to needs of the student population.   

• An ambassador: Proud to represent OMD in the national conversation about higher education and workforce;   

• A strategic thinker: Considers the future of the organization proactively and responsively; weighs diverse inputs to inform strategies; identifies innovative opportunities when relevant   

• Cultural humility: ability to work effectively with diverse staff/team, students, and campus/community partners building trusting relationships with a broad cross-section of audiences.   

• Educational Equity: Relentless drive to close equity gaps in education and passion about serving students, including a total belief in the potential of all scholars to succeed and excel.   

Flexible Location and Travel 

While the majority of OMD staff live and work in Chicago, where the organization is headquartered, the ACB team is national in its focus. The Director role will be based in a home office anywhere in the U.S. and is available immediately. ACB staff are expected to travel about 10-15% for team and client meetings.  

Compensation and Benefits  

• Salary: the base salary for this position is $90,000. 

• Full Health Benefits –Provided for all full-time employees, including medical, dental, and vision. OMD pays 100% of individual’s basic monthly health premium  

• Employee assistance program, which offers confidential emotional support, work-life solutions, legal guidance, financial resources, and more  

• Retirement Benefits – For full-time employees, OMD offers a 401(k) plan and matches retirement contributions up to 4% of total salary   

• Generous Paid Time Off Policy– OMD has 12 paid holidays and offers up to 15 days PTO in year one  

• Monthly cell phone and internet reimbursement up to $50/month  

• 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birthing and non-birthing parents  

• Professional Learning Opportunities – OMD supports employee development in areas relevant to professional and organizational goals and will pay for training such as workshops and conferences as agreed upon by employee and supervisor  

To apply for this position, please submit your resume and an accompanying cover letter. 

One Million Degrees is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation, and evaluate all candidates based on merit.