Vice President, Center For Apprenticeship And Work-based Learning

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. JFF is a national impact platform uniquely situated at the center of multiple sectors, including education, workforce development, corporations, entrepreneurs, philanthropy and investing, and policymakers. We operate at scale across the country and serve as a galvanizing force for leaders seeking to make systemic change. We are nonpartisan and trusted by policymakers, funders, and decision-makers from different political and ideological perspectives. 

With a staff of more than 350 people across the country working remotely from more than 45 states 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 have an operating budget of $105 million, and we’re funded by dozens of leading government agencies, foundations, and corporations. 

We’re on a path of ongoing growth and expanding impact. 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 CENTER FOR APPRENTICESHIP AND WORK-BASED LEARNING   

JFF is a leader in expanding apprenticeship and work-based learning to new industries and professions. JFF’s Center for Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning (CAWBL) provides expert guidance and resources on effective approaches to apprenticeship and other forms of work-based learning that benefit businesses, students, and workers.  

Working with businesses, intermediaries, government agencies, secondary and post-secondary educational institutions, training providers, workforce boards, and more, the Center develops, scales, and promotes effective apprenticeship and work-based learning programs that work for a range of participants. By partnering with employers, government, educators, industry associations, and others, the Center works to transform policies and practices, build capacities, and drive behavior change in Registered Apprenticeship and emerging work-based learning systems to center on ensuring and delivering equitable and high-quality career opportunities. 

The Center for Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning is one of the largest and most established programs within JFF’s portfolio. Over the last five years, the Center has: 

• Provided apprenticeship opportunities to more than 7,355 individuals, including Brandi Dunham, the first apprentice in the Industrial Manufacturing Technician Registered Apprenticeship program 
• Engaged with more than 2,400 employers and worked closely with 897 of them to start or grow Registered Apprenticeship programs, including working with a range of small, medium, and large employers, to establish both local and national programs 
• Created 172 tools, webinars, blogs, and other resources for the field, including JFF’s Framework for a High-Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Program that provides six characteristics for an effective and equitable program 
• Launched the National Innovation Hub on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Registered Apprenticeship, a Department of Labor Center of Excellence that expands access to, and equitable outcomes within, Registered Apprenticeship opportunities 
• Developed a comprehensive framework for work-based learning to and supported workforce and education practitioners to develop and implement high-quality programs for workers and learners 

 

ABOUT THE POSITION  

Following a period of exciting and unprecedented growth, JFF has recently undergone a strategic reorganization, which is still being implemented and optimized, designed for continued sustainable growth and maturity, enabling us to drive impact at scale as new opportunities emerge. As a result, we've recently created several new positions and departments to build a solid foundation for growth in support of our mission to drive equitable economic advancement for all. The Vice President, Center for Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning sits in JFF’s Solutions Group, reporting to the Chief Solutions Officer. The VP oversees JFF’s longest standing Center and serves on JFF’s Executive Leadership Council.   

The VP leads JFF’s strategy and initiatives for increasing access to, and the quality of, apprenticeship and emerging work-based learning strategies that work for a wide range of participants in delivering equitable and high-quality career opportunities. They will develop and execute fundraising and business development strategies to secure resources from corporate, foundation, and government sources to build and scale programs. As a nationally recognized expert in apprenticeships and work-based learning models, workforce policy and systems, and leading public, private, and innovation-oriented actors in the field, the VP will influence national and state-level strategies, policies, infrastructure, and funding mechanisms to drive equitable outcomes and address systemic barriers to equality and opportunity. In addition to continuing the Center’s existing work, the new VP will develop and execute a bold vision for the future of the Center, and also has the opportunity to drive innovative strategies and launch new initiatives to deepen our impact and enhance our reach.  

The Vice President leads a small team of changemakers in the Center for Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning who are deep subject matter experts, responsible for generating ideas and solutions that drive impact in the field. The VP will provide thought leadership and partnership to expand the CAWBL team of experts, and vision-setting for the team to align the Center’s work with JFF’s theory of action and strategic priorities. As strategic leaders of the Center’s work, this team produces thought leadership that drives the national agenda and conversation, convenes stakeholders and actors to drive change, provides strategic support to partners, clients, and stakeholders, and oversees the execution of successful and impactful programs. Collectively, this team works together to attract partnerships, funding, and other resources to fund their bold visions.  

The Center for Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning team works closely with Solutions Design & Delivery teams to execute initiatives and projects aligned with the Center. They collaborate deeply with other JFF Practices and Centers, as well as teams across JFF, including Strategic Engagements, the Policy & Advocacy team, JFFLabs, and more. The VP and other leaders in the Center will be supported by an Executive Assistant, as well as dedicated business partners from JFF’s People & Culture, Development, Finance, and Marketing & Communications teams.  

This is an exciting opportunity for a national leader in the field of apprenticeship, work-based learning and career pathways training to advance JFF’s leadership and impact in driving changes leading to more equitable outcomes for people and communities that have been systemically underserved.  

 

WHAT YOU’LL DO  

Program and Project Oversight:   

• Lead all major workstreams and bodies of work related to apprenticeships and work-based learning, either as a project sponsor and/or by directly running key projects and initiatives; responsible for oversight of all aspects of project management, including budget management, writing proposals, creating staffing plans, etc. 

• Develop strong partnerships with the VP of Solutions Design & Delivery and other leaders within Solutions Design & Delivery to ensure strong, consistent, high-quality execution on project work  
• Develop content and design replicable solutions or frameworks 
• In partnership with the Finance team, manage the performance of the team’s portfolio of projects and budgets 
• Seek ways to integrate initiatives, foster connections and maximize synergies across JFF that leverage the broad expertise of our staff to achieve greater impact  

Field Leadership:   

• Evolve, refine, and position JFF’s point of view and theory of action for the Center, and its work around apprenticeships and work-based learning initiatives, within the broader ecosystem of players; design and build impactful programs, policies, and initiatives that drive equitable outcomes and address systemic barriers to opportunity 
• Provide organizational and national thought leadership on issues related to domains of expertise, including through speaking engagements at high-profile events, op-eds, publications, and social media; represent JFF on the national stage with high visibility and valued perspective in the field 
• Define the Center’s research agenda in collaboration with the Research & Analytics unit 
• Serve as a subject matter expert for strategic advising and program design to field partners and clients 
• Define the policy agenda for CAWBL; lead relationships and discussions on policymaking and policy alignment from federal and state governments to ensure advancement of apprenticeship and work-based learning career pathways across new and emerging occupations with an equity lens 

Strategic Relationship Management, Partnership Cultivation and Fundraising:   

• Cultivate and manage high-level relationships with external partners, funders, and clients; design, build, and curate key networks within the sector in accordance with JFF’s overall network strategy 
• Successfully engage funders and strategic partners in the development and funding of new ideas and initiatives, with accountability for achieving annual business development goals for the Center and contributing to shared business development goals for the Solutions Group 
• Working closely with the Development team, lead the Center for Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning team in raising funding, including proposal development, capture management from cultivation through award, and relationship management aligned to goals and priorities in JFF’s strategic and operational plans 

Organizational and Team Leadership:   

• As a key organizational leader, contribute to strategic planning and decision making for the Solutions Group, and for the organization, working with colleagues to continuously strengthen JFF’s performance and impact 
• Serve on JFF’s Executive Leadership Council, JFF’s senior leadership team, comprising the Executive Team, all Vice Presidents, and JFFLabs Managing Directors 

• Lead with equity and model inclusive leadership, stewarding a team culture that celebrates the diversity of each individual and ensures that each person has equal opportunity to thrive at JFF 
• Lead and mentor a high-performing team by providing ongoing coaching, professional development opportunities, and performance feedback to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and growth  
• Build the capacity of the established CAWBL team to enhance their current population and sectoral focuses in the field and at JFF 

 

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 forward thinking, field-recognized leader in apprenticeships and work-based learning with national presence, existing networks, and an appetite to drive national conversations and impact (New hires at the Vice President level at JFF typically bring 20+ years of prior professional experience) 
• You bring deep conviction for the work of CAWBL and can serve as a fierce advocate both internally and in the apprenticeship and work-based learning community 
• You have demonstrated success as a thought leader moving vision to action, with experience presenting to, and contributing to written communications for, a diverse range of audiences 
• You have an established network of relationships with funders and partners important in the learn to work ecosystem 
• You excel in managing senior expert leaders, partnering with cross-functional teams, collaborating with a diverse range of decision-makers, and proactively seeking team input to guide decision making; you are a visionary leader with a proven ability to motivate, inspire and mobilize teams to produce strong outcomes  
• You bring experience in mentoring staff, supporting their professional development, and delegating work to grow the impact of the team 
• You have demonstrated success navigating senior political leadership across federal, state, and local governments to advance policies that grow and enhance apprenticeship and work-based learning 
• You are skilled at designing and carrying out strategic advising, capacity building, and program design with and for partners, and coaching others to do so 
• You have a demonstrated ability to manage disparate and competing priorities with multiple timetables and deliverables, and to keep work on track and on budget; you ensure efficient communication and decision-making processes within your team 
• You have been successful in raising funds from private, public, and government sources for new and continuing initiatives and are comfortable pitching ideas, writing and shaping proposals, and developing and managing budgets 
• You model inclusive leadership, working effectively with colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds, and building and stewarding an organizational culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion 
• You are energized by stewarding JFF’s DEIBW values within your day-to-day work and have a track record of designing and leading strategies that lead to more equitable outcomes for people and communities that have been systemically underserved 
• You have 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 demonstrate a growth mindset and a desire to continuously improve both personally and professionally; you are eager to build on past successes and open to trying new and innovative approaches to achieve impact in an evolving space 
• You are able and willing to travel up to 30% 

 

WHAT WE OFFER 

The hiring range for this role is $200,000 - $250,000 annually, in alignment to JFF’s Chief 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.  

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 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.  

TO APPLY  JFF is partnering with Korn Ferry to manage this search. As part of your application, please include your resume and a thoughtful cover letter addressed to the Korn Ferry team, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position. Please apply directly to the posting on JFF's job board and also email your materials to the Korn Ferry team (divina.gamble@kornferry.com and cristina.fisher@kornferry.com) for consideration. Any questions should also be sent to Divina and Cristina.    At JFF, we are 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 hiringaccommodations@jff.org.
Divina Gamble  Managing Partner & Practice Leader   Global Nonprofit, Philanthropy & Social Enterprise   Telephone: (202) 955-0901  Email: divina.gamble@kornferry.com
Cristina Fisher  Senior Associate  Global Nonprofit, Philanthropy & Social Enterprise    Telephone: (202) 955-0910  Email: cristina.fisher@kornferry.com
Traci Robinson  Project Coordinator   Global Nonprofit, Philanthropy & Social Enterprise    Telephone: (202) 955-0902  Email: traci.robinson@kornferry.com

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