Manager, Field Implementation Team (Apply By: Thursday July 18, 2024)

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: 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

A part of JFF's Solutions Design and Delivery unit, the Field Implementation Team (FIT) plays a central role in advancing JFF's mission by applying capabilities, expertise, and talent to implement field-facing programs, initiatives, and strategic solutions.  As the largest functional team at JFF with more than 150 members, Field Implementation Teams are comprised of key project personnel who design and deliver technical assistance, coaching, asset mapping, community of practice facilitation, design of convenings or events, and other key lines of service. FIT members may be largely dedicated to projects and programs sponsored or led by a specific Center or Practice, or JFFLabs team.

As a Manager on the Field Implementation Team, you will be assigned to specific portfolios of project work across JFF, based on the organization's evolving needs and your skill sets and interests. You will provide project management support to JFF projects and initiatives, including effectively coordinating with project teams and making valuable contributions to workstreams and projects that align with team priorities and JFF's mission and vision. This role is an exciting opportunity to build program and project management experience and demonstrate a growth mindset by leveraging feedback to improve skills, while working with collaborative, equity-centered, and mission-driven colleagues.

What You'll Do

Deliver impactful results through effective project management

• Provide project support to the team, including scheduling meetings, crafting and distributing meeting agendas, and developing meeting materials (i.e., summaries, reports, PowerPoint documents, notes and minutes, and next step documents)

• Partner with project leaders to establish project plans using Asana (project management tool), including tasks, timeline for deliverables, and KPIs; support processes to monitor project plans and external partners; and evaluate project plans, tasks, resources, deadlines, and any post-project needs

• Conduct primary and secondary research to identify and analyze best practices and learnings from various projects to support the team's implementation

• Coordinate with internal business partners on fiscal, project management, communications, and development support

• Coordinate planning and facilitating virtual and in-person meetings, workshops and events across the project team of internal JFF partners as well as for external partners and stakeholders. Utilize Calendly (scheduling software) to support external events

• Develop and maintain broad knowledge about the work of each project team to ensure project deadlines and deliverables are supported

Foster collaboration across teams to support project execution

• Support planning and design of processes and tools to identify critical stakeholders in the states, develop landscapes of potential partners, and map existing partnerships to support collaboration and networks within and across states

• Build and maintain effective relationships across teams, and with internal and external project partners to support ongoing collaboration

• Ensure timely and responsive follow-up with partners and stakeholders, coordinating with and drawing in appropriate staff as necessary, to ensure the project teams meet objectives

• Participate in planning and facilitating meetings and events across the team

• Collaborate with diverse stakeholders externally and across JFF, engaging in peer-learning meetings, technical assistance workshops, site visits, or program/policy research meetings

Contribute to a learning culture through knowledge management and information sharing across teams

• Document engagements, services, challenges and results, to support ongoing strategies and drive continuous improvement

• Prepare project related correspondence, including memos, reports, and presentations; document and summarize key points addressed at conferences, events and meetings to support information sharing

• Capture and share information on identified needs and strategies implemented throughout project lifecycles

• Maintain accurate and timely information in Salesforce (CRM) of all stakeholders and stakeholder engagements to ensure project teams understand and can track external partner engagement

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 have experience organizing bodies of work for your team to support your organization's strategic goals and priorities, preferably within the education, workforce, economic development, and/or other social impact setting (New hires at the Manager level at JFF typically bring 3-5 years of prior professional experience through a combination of full-time, part-time, internship, and/or freelance positions)

• You have exposure to or bring experience working with stakeholders with a shared agenda/initiative (i.e., employers, community-based organizations, advocacy organizations) and of federal and state policy issues

• You have exposure to conducting, managing, or participating in research projects to support a project goal

• You have experience developing effective relationships with your colleagues and external stakeholders in order to collaborate successfully on projects, including people whose identities and backgrounds differ from your own

• You bring experience using project management tools, CRM software and scheduling software, such as Asana, Salesforce and Calendly; experience with AI tools is a plus (i.e., Fora)

• You know how to use your good judgment, clear analytical thinking, and strong decision-making skills to independently manage your day-to-day work

• You seek out opportunities to find new ways of doing things, make meaningful contributions, and support your team and organization's mission

• You are eager to take advantage of professional development and other learning opportunities to grow your subject matter expertise and develop new, more effective ways of working with colleagues and stakeholders

• You demonstrate awareness of your performance, impact, and of those around you with respect to the cultural context of your organization

• You take ownership of your projects by keeping yourself and others focused and accountable to the work, deadlines, and intended outcomes

• 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

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 $68,000 - $80,000 annually, in alignment to JFF's Manager 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

We are accepting applications through July 18th, 2024, at 5pm EST. Applications submitted by that date will be reviewed and candidates will receive updates on their candidacy by the week of July 22nd, 2024

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.