Vice President, Career Education and Training

Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy whose core objective is to maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. We are dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing problems in the United States. We invest in sustainable change, building it from the ground up based on research, deep thinking, and a strong foundation of evidence. We drive public conversation, craft policy, and inspire action through education and advocacy.

Position Overview

Two-thirds of jobs now require a postsecondary credential, but only about half require a four-year degree. Although our degree-oriented education system works well for many people, far too many fall through the cracks because of system failures to offer enough robust alternative non-bachelors pathways into education and the labor market. Preparing all people for tomorrow’s economy requires providing a full menu of quality education and training options, both inside and alongside today’s traditional higher education sector.  

The career education and training field has made progress in recent years. Researchers have identified several programs and approaches like Per Scholas, Project Quest, Year Up, and Career Academies that have been proven to improve career opportunities and economic outcomes for participants. And, the public and policymakers increasingly recognize the importance of high-quality secondary and postsecondary education and training options that lead to good jobs without requiring a bachelor’s degree. However, there is more work to do. We need to identify and scale more programs that prepare young people for meaningful careers, develop better systems and policies to ensure that we’re channeling resources to effective programs and holding those programs accountable for delivering positive outcomes, and do this all while keeping equitable access to opportunity in mind.  

Arnold Ventures seeks a dynamic leader to develop and launch a new strategy to ensure that everyone in this country has access to a wide range of high-quality career education and training options at the secondary and postsecondary levels. We are excited to bring on an experienced leader to help us prioritize and co-create a set of impactful strategies to accelerate the identification and scaling of effective programs, and the systems change needed to support them. The Vice President will report to the Executive Vice President of Strategy and Programs, and can be based in any of Arnold Ventures’ three offices: Houston, New York City, or Washington D.C. 

Core Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Arnold Ventures’ Board of Directors and key members of the executive team to develop a new strategy and investment thesis for Career Education and Training
• Develop and present strategic and charitable investment recommendations to the Arnold Ventures’ Board of Directors; create presentation materials, memos and background briefs, and talking points for key meetings, including meetings with the Board 
• On an ongoing basis, refine and drive the strategic direction for the new Career Education and Training portfolio, in close partnership with the Executive Vice President of Strategy and Programs; conduct research and analysis to inform strategy; develop project and policy recommendations; and identify, build, and manage relationships with grantees, key stakeholders, and experts 
• Collaborate cross-functionally with other Arnold Ventures teams, including, but not limited to, the Advocacy, Communications, and External Affairs team, the Evidence and Evaluation team, the Higher Education team, and others to elevate relevant research, policy developments, and approaches
• Ensure the successful implementation and integration of communications and advocacy strategies and activities within our portfolio goals and investments
• Lead a small, high-functioning team to execute on strategic priorities; manage charitable investments, consulting relationships, and other potential partnerships; and facilitate effective and efficient day-to-day operations 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in a relevant field such as public policy or economics
• 12-15 years of relevant work experience, preferably including experience with federal or state policy on issues related to career education and workforce development
• Knowledge of and deep understanding of federal or state policy issues related to career education and workforce development
• Successful track record of using rigorous evidence to support policy reform 
• Strong leadership, people management, and relationship-building skills 
• Exceptional strategy development, project management, and organizational skills 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate key takeaways to diverse, nontechnical audiences

The salary range for this position will be $200,000-$300,000.

Our Culture and Core Values

Our culture seeks to inspire and empower our people to innovate and develop bold ideas that will help Arnold Ventures achieve lasting impact. Our culture, and the core values that support it, should create an environment that spurs our team to think outside the box, feel comfortable pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and signal confidence in our team’s ability to make change happen through our philanthropic efforts. Although not an exhaustive list, below you’ll find examples of Arnold Ventures’ work culture. 

• We are adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity
• We are intellectually curious, open-minded, objective, humble, collegial, and receptive to feedback
• We are action-oriented with strong self-direction and self-motivation skills with the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects
• We are able to interact confidently and collaboratively with team members and navigate relationships with external experts, government leaders, advocates, and individuals 

Arnold Ventures’ values reflect who we are as an organization, help us accelerate our strategic goals, strengthen our resolve, anchor us to our mission, and guide our decision-making. The successful candidate will also demonstrate the following core values that inspire the Arnold Ventures team to make a difference.

• Respect for Ourselves & Others
• Audacious Action
• Collaborative Engagement
• Depth of Thought
• Clear Communication

Arnold Ventures is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, military/veteran status, or any basis prohibited by applicable law. 

Acknowledging the importance of diverse perspectives, Arnold Ventures is committed to employing individuals from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of experiences. Members of historically marginalized communities and candidates who have been impacted by the systems we are seeking to change are strongly encouraged to apply.