Principal, 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 five pilot projects—with partners throughout the country—in deploying these service offerings. Throughout 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 Principal, Advisory and Capacity Building and report to the Executive Director, Advisory and Capacity Building.  Full consideration will be given to applications completed and received before April 1, 2025.  

Specific duties and responsibilities of the Principal, Advisory and Capacity Building include but are not limited to:  

• Partner Management and Project Execution: Lead a portfolio of OMD’s Advisory and Capacity Building consulting projects:   

• Oversee and run regular meetings with “client” community colleges and intermediaries, with project management support from ACB Director.    

• Hold primary responsibility for stewarding partner relationships, and, as such, liaise with senior community college leaders and equivalent executives at affiliate intermediary organizations to set shared vision for projects and, when necessary, troubleshoot on challenges with support from ACB Portfolio head;   

• Drives timely and effective implementation of ACB’s four service offerings, described above, according to project plans: community college completion; 2) transfer; 3) dual enrollment; and 4) transition from college to career.  

• Serve as lead consultant on two or three multi-year projects implementing our community college completion and university transfer programs. 

• Contribute to sustainability of programming through engagement with college, system, and political leadership to facilitate expansion and continuity post-pilot.  

• Ensures fidelity of implementation of OMD’s evidence-based model at all project sites.   

• Build program content for transfer service offering: Leverages expertise to contribute to refining the design and further developing the accompanying collateral for ACB’s “minimum viable product” (or service offering) focused on community college transfer to a four-year university.   

• Create and refine technical assistance protocol for community colleges, universities and intermediaries to facilitate deployment of OMD’s transfer service offering;   

• Identify and incorporate best practices for supporting transfer and propelling economic mobility among low-income, first generation and students of color into program model;   

• Adapt transfer service offering and incorporate feedback from partners currently collaborating on pilot projects.   

• Develop new dual enrollment service offering: Serve as primary architect for the design and accompanying collateral for ACB’s “minimum viable product” (or service offering) supporting dually enrolled students in matriculating to and completing community college.   

• Engages prospective partners—community colleges and K-12 districts—through focus groups and other collaborative design processes to co-create vision for how best to adapt OMD’s holistic support model within a dual enrollment context;   

• Develop framework and corresponding layers of content for the technical assistance protocol for helping partners implement the dual enrollment service offering;   

• Research and incorporate best practices into product related to propelling degree attainment and economic mobility among dually enrolled low-income, first generation and students of color.    

• Lay groundwork for prospective partnership with client organizations implementing dual enrollment service offering.   

• Manage ACB Director responsible for day-to-day project management of pilots:  

• Supervise and foster professional growth of director who will provide project management support on assigned portfolio of pilot projects;   

• Provide guidance to project director in developing meeting agendas and prioritizing project implementation; 

Strategy, Data and Portfolio Growth: Assists ACB Executive Director in crafting strategy for ACB and contribute to vision for the future growth of the portfolio:  

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to imagine and roll out 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; 

•  Engage with program evaluators to ensure effective collection of key performance data and subsequent analysis of program impact. Utilize program evaluation data to identify program improvement opportunities and developing the approach to program improvement; 

• In coordination with OMD’s Advancement Team, build relationships with prospective clients and secure new partnerships;   

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

• Represent OMD at speaking or media events, partnership meetings, conference presentations and webinars. 

• Flexible Location and Travel 

  One Million Degrees seeks a full-time Principal for its Advisory and Capacity Building (ACB) team. 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 Principal 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 $130,000 

• 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. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but full consideration will be given to applications completed and received before April 1, 2025.  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. 

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, Master or PhD in education, public policy or related field preferred.   

Experience 

• 12+ years of relevant professional experience in higher education, preferably in community college administrative leadership or similar experience working with higher education on program design and delivery; 

• Successful track record managing multi-partner, strategic relationships and leading innovative projects to impact organizational growth. Some consulting and client-management experience preferred, ideally as a project lead and with a strong 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; 

• Deep knowledge of best practices in facilitating successful transfer for community college students preferred;  

• Deep knowledge of best practices in dual enrollment, either through a K-12 or community college lens preferred;  

• Proven track record of developing effective partnerships and collaborations across stakeholders and interests;  

• Direct experience developing and leading the strategic plans or successfully supporting large-scale change efforts;  

• A track record of generating creative, innovative solutions to problems; 

• 5+ years of people management.   

Skills:   

• Proven ability in client management, consulting protocols, product management, and/or project management;  

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

• Knowledge of best practices in product development, starts ups, improvement science, and/or human-centered design is a plus;  

• Experience establishing and maintaining consistent operational systems for large-scale projects or portfolios, including budget, data and grant management;  

• 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.  

• Strong collaboration and influence skills, demonstrating an ability to navigate organizational relationships, incorporate differing perspectives, develop recommendations, and generate consensus with partners across teams  

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.