Executive Director, CareerWise Colorado

Who We Are: 

CareerWise is a nationally-recognized nonprofit organization that creates life-changing opportunities for the youngest generation of America’s workforce. We build industry-led, student-centered, modern youth apprenticeships through classroom and on-the-job learning providing flexible, alternative pathways to economic mobility. We have hundreds of CareerWise apprentices in the workplace, charting new paths to academic and career success. In addition, workforce and education leaders from across the country have visited CareerWise to learn about our youth apprenticeship model. As a result, our programs have launched in multiple states, leveraging our institutional knowledge, technology, and infrastructure.

Who We’re Looking For:

We’re looking for someone who has served at the executive or C-suite level. You can successfully execute projects, programs, and can lead the change management process. You see unique opportunities to propel the youth apprenticeship movement forward and because of your strengths in building strong partnerships, you do not back down from the chance to promote how youth apprenticeship is changing the landscape of the workforce. You are an excellent people leader and continually find ways to inspire and motivate your team. You collaborate with others, you expect high-quality deliverables, and you intentionally raise the standard by embedding diversity, equity and inclusion in everything you do.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the CEO, the Executive Director, CareerWise Colorado (CWC) will be responsible for advancing CWC’s mission, growth, and impact while owning end-to-end strategy related to partnership development, apprentice engagement, program retention and success. The Executive Director (CWC) will play a key role in leading the organization to achieve significant growth in order to build a state-wide system that supports thousands of youth apprentices annually. All staff at CareerWise conduct their work with a mutual awareness and emphasis on DEI. This role will intentionally incorporate the values of CW and the principles of DEI in every task assigned.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY | You will strategically identify opportunities where youth apprenticeship can be integrated into existing education and workforce systems; you will contribute to the development of the CW strategic plan in anticipation of future programmatic scaling; you will develop and communicate short-, medium-, and long-term integrated, strategic, programmatic blueprints with stakeholders.
• INNOVATIVE PARTNER | You will look for ways to permeate and change existing systems to help advance the youth apprenticeship movement; you will develop and strengthen partnerships with state agencies, public and private institutions, community-based organizations and other state and local leaders.
• POLICY ADVOCATE | You will develop and implement CareerWise Colorado’s policy agenda, communicating with policymakers, stakeholders, the public, and the media about our vision and work.
• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | You will serve as the spokesperson for CareerWise in a variety of settings; you will model our core values; you will be a mentor, leader and professional resource to our stakeholders; you will share the stories of apprentices and report statistics/outcomes to grow interest in apprenticeship.
• LEADER | You will develop and manage staff using a collaborative and supportive approach; you will foster accountability in and amongst staff, communicate priorities, share resources/knowledge, participate in feedback/review process, and advocate for career and professional development opportunities for individuals or for the team.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Key competencies to be successful in this role:

• Proven experience as a youth apprenticeship program leader
• Proven experience with program design, development, management, and scale; creates and maintains organizational structures, budgets, administrative operations, and fundraising
• Expert in andragogy, youth development, and workforce development
• Compiles, analyzes, and translates complex data for planning and reporting purposes
• Ability to engage in meaningful and thought-provoking communication about CW across a wide range of audiences
• Quickly establishes trust and builds relationships with stakeholders, collaborators and team members
• Partner-first mindset; able to listen to the needs of partners and use that input to drive prioritization
• Demonstrated appetite to engage with DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) work and conversations
• Ability to draw best practices from experiences in non-profit sector, private sector and consulting

Additional proficiencies:

• Successful execution in project, program, and change management
• Experienced people leader; drives team effectiveness; helps others grow
• Community-minded and social advocate
• Demonstrated passion for the CareerWise mission and ability to deeply understand the complexities of the youth apprenticeship system that CareerWise is building
• Proficiency with Salesforce, Microsoft Office and Google Suite

The above statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job being performed by employees assigned to this classification. The duties listed are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. With the evolution of the organization and this role, the responsibilities of this position may change at any time.

Location:

This role is based in Denver, Colorado and should be considered as an in-person role with flexibility. CareerWise staff typically work a hybrid work schedule, but this role is expected to be in the office regularly in order to facilitate a strong working relationship with executive leadership and other team members. 

Compensation:

The starting salary range for this role is: $127,308 (min) - $169,744 (max) annually; this role is exempt from overtime and the minimum wage provisions of the FLSA. CareerWise offers a generous benefits package including group medical, dental, and vision plans, short-term disability, 100% vested 401k plan with a 3% employer contribution, and flexible time off.

Sounds Interesting?

We look forward to your application! Please submit a current resume and cover letter. If you have a LinkedIn profile, please share it with us as well!

In your cover letter, please answer these two questions when you provide your resume:

1: Why are you interested in joining CareerWise?

2: What can you bring to this position?

Application Window:

CareerWise anticipates the application window closing approximately 30 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require CareerWise to shorten or extend the application window.

CareerWise is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals are encouraged to apply. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at: careers@careerwisecolorado.org 

Working conditions and physical requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Usual office environment with frequent sitting, walking and standing. Frequent use of eye, hand, and finger coordination for use of standard office equipment. Oral and auditory capacity required for interpersonal communication as well as communication through automated devices such as the telephone and online video conference platforms (like Google, Zoom, MS Teams, Webex, etc.)